¡Mayday! Explained

¡Mayday!
Origin:Miami, Florida, United States
Genre:Hip hop, rock
Years Active:–present
Label:Strange Music
Mayday Music
Associated Acts:Tech N9ne, Murs
Current Members:Bernz
NonMS
Wrekonize
Past Members:Plex Luthor
L T Hopkins
Gianni Ca$h
Background:group_or_band

¡Mayday! (stylized in all caps as ¡MAYD∀Y!) is an American hip hop group from Miami, Florida. The group comprises rappers Bernardo "Bernz" Garcia and Ben "Wrekonize" Miller, along with producer and percussionist Andrews "NonMS" Mujica. Until 2015, the group also included keyboard player and guitarist Aaron Eckhart (a.k.a. Plex Luthor), drummer Terrel (a.k.a. L T Hopkins), and bassist Gianni Perocapi (a.k.a. Gianni Ca$h). The band was formerly signed to Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin's Strange Music label. As of May 1, 2022, all future releases will be on their own label Mayday Music distributed by It Goes Up.

Career

Foundation and Early Days (2003–2009)

The group was founded by Plex Luthor and Bernz in Miami, 2003. The band is known for its Miami-underground hit "Quicksand", which earned them a deal with SouthBeat Records, and their first single and 2006 music video "Groundhog Day", featuring Cee-Lo Green (directed by Jokes) which received over 2 million views on the online video site YouTube within only a day of being added.[1] The band released their first studio album, ¡Mayday!, in September 2006.

In 2008, producer Gianni Ca$h joined the group. In 2009, vocalist and producer Wrekonize, percussionist NonMS, and drummer L.T. Hopkins joined ¡Mayday!, bringing the number of members to 6.[2] In February 2009, ¡Mayday! released their first EP "The Thinnest Line". A few months later, in June 2009, they released a follow-up EP titled "Technology".

Lords of the Fly & Stuck on an Island (2010)

Lil Wayne worked with the group for two unofficial videos; both videos - "Da Da Da" and "Get a Life", were filmed on the roof of a building in the middle of the day, with spectators apparently attending a free concert.[3] Shortly after working with Lil Wayne, remixes of both tracks, plus another Lil Wayne track "On Fire" were released on ¡Mayday!'s first mixtape "Lords of the Fly". The mixtape included new tracks, remixes, and freestyles to serve as a prelude to their next album Stuck on an Island, which released shortly after.

Signing with Strange Music (2011–2022)

In early 2011 independent label frontman Tech N9ne reached out to ¡Mayday!, and featured them on two tracks of his album Welcome to Strangeland. Bernz and Wrekonize were also featured on a bonus track of the album. On June 3, 2011, Mayday signed with Strange Music.[4]

Their third studio album, Take Me to Your Leader was their first major album released under Strange Music on March 26, 2012.[5] The lead single from that album titled "Badlands" and featuring Tech N9ne received over half a million views on YouTube within the first two months.[6] On August 27, 2012, Miami New Times uploaded a list of the 50 Best Miami Bands of All Time where ¡Mayday! was listed as #27. Along with their placement on the list, Miami New Times stated that "¡Mayday! just might be Miami rap's future."[7] On August 7, 2012, ¡Mayday! released their first EP under Strange Music, "Thrift Store Halos".

On July 16, 2013, Mayday released their fourth studio album Believers. They also featured on Tech N9ne's single "Fragile", along with Kendrick Lamar, which was released shortly after Believers. In 2013, the band went on tour with Tech N9ne during his Something Else Tour.

In 2014 on June 10, Members of ¡Mayday! teamed up with newly signed Strange Music artist Murs to bring together ¡Mursday!. Shortly after the release of ¡Mursday!, ¡Mayday! and Murs released a free EP on SoundCloud presented by Boost Mobile titled "Ready 2 Run".[8]

Shortly before ¡Mayday! released their sixth studio album Future Vintage on September 18, 2015, Plex Luthor formally departed the group on good terms.[9] After the album release, the group toured all around the country. Along with touring, rappers Bernz and Wrekonize have been releasing their solo albums. On June 22, 2017, while on Facebook live, they announced their new album called Search Party with the album cover and a release date of September 8, 2017. On September 7, 2018, they released their next album called South of 5th.

Departure from Strange Music, Mayday Music (2022–present)

On May 1, 2022, during the group’s performance at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater of Tech N9ne’s Asin9ne tour, ¡Mayday! addressed to the rumors in regards about the group’s current status with Strange Music. The group confirmed that they have amicably parted ways with Strange Music and formed a new independent record label, Mayday Music. Despite forming a new record label, ¡Mayday! will continue to work with former labelmate Tech N9ne and Strange Music co-founder Travis O’Guin as their new label will be distributed by Strange Music’s distribution company, It Goes Up Entertainment. On the same day, ¡Mayday! released a new single under their newly formed label, “Own Way.”[10]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[11] [12]
US R&B
[13]
US Rap
[14] [15]
¡Mayday
  • Released: September 2006
  • Label: Mayday Music
  • Format: CD, download
Stuck on an Island
  • Released: October 12, 2010
  • Label: Mayday Music
  • Format: CD, download
Take Me to Your Leader
  • Released: March 26, 2012
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
92 18 15
Believers
  • Released: July 16, 2013
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
75 19 11
¡MursDay![16]
(with Murs)
  • Released: June 10, 2014
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
45 4
Future Vintage
  • Released: September 18, 2015
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
112 9 8
Search Party
  • Released: September 8, 2017
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
South of 5th
  • Released: September 7, 2018
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
Minute to Midnight
  • Released: March 19, 2021
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download, streaming
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
US R&B
US Rap
The Thinnest Line
  • Released: February 14, 2009
  • Label: Mayday Music
  • Format: CD, download
Technology
  • Released: June 23, 2009
  • Label: Mayday Music
  • Format: CD, download
Thrift Store Halos
  • Released: August 7, 2012
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
153 23 16
The Thinnest Line, Pt. II
  • Released: February 15, 2019
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: Download
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
US R&B
US Rap
Lords Of The Fly
  • Released: September 28, 2010
  • Label: Mayday Music
  • Format: CD, download
Smash And Grab
  • Released: December 20, 2012
  • Label: Strange Music
  • Format: CD, download
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" style="width:10em;"
Album
"Tabletops"
(with Murs)
¡MursDay!

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" colspan="4"
Peak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
Bubbling
under

[17]
US R&B
[18]
US Rap
[19]
FR
[20]
"Fragile"
(Tech N9ne featuring Kendrick Lamar, ¡Mayday
and Kendall Morgan)16 38 23 135 Something Else
"No Regrets"
(Matt Schultz featuring ¡Mayday
)No Regrets (Single)

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Retrogression"2011Tech N9neWelcome to Strangeland
"The Noose"Tech N9ne
"EMJ"Tech N9ne, Irv da Phenom, Kutt Calhoun, Stevie Stone, Jay Rock, Krizz Kaliko, Magnum PI
"Klusterfuk"2012Tech N9ne, SassyKlusterfuk
"Blur"Tech N9ne
"Can't Stand Me"Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko
"Ugly Duckling"Tech N9ne, Aqualeo
"Awkward"Tech N9ne
"D.K.N.Y."Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko
"Dream of a King"Krizz Kaliko, ProzakKickin' and Screamin'
"The Road"Stevie Stone, Magnum PIRollin' Stone
"Eating You"2013Brotha Lynch HungMannibalector
"Fragile"Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, Kendall MorganSomething Else
"Colorado"Tech N9ne, B.o.B, Ces Cru, Krizz Kaliko, Rittz
"Indigo"Stevie Stone, Mai Lee2 Birds 1 Stone
"Head Now"Tech N9neTherapy
"Nobody Cares (The Remix)"2014Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone, Ces CruStrangeulation
"Strangeulation III"Kutt Calhoun, Ubiquitous
"We Are Free"Tech N9ne
"My Life"2015ProzakBlack Ink
"Wake and Bake"Tech N9ne, Krizz KalikoStrangeulation Vol. II
"Strangeulation Vol. II Cypher V"Murs
"Same Ol' Day"2017Murs, Eric BiddinesCaptain California
"Madness (Remix)"2019Ubiquitous, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, Info GatesUnder Bad Influence
"Vibe"2020Stevie Stone, StigeBlack Lion
"It's All Me"Joey CoolCoolie High

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ¡Mayday! – Groundhog Day (Feat Mack Maine, Cee-Lo Green & GhostWridah) [Music Video] ]. Young Money HQ . 2011-01-19 . 2013-07-04.
  2. Web site: ¡Mayday! Recruits . 2017-02-16.
  3. Web site: Video: Lil Wayne Rockin' Out With MAYDAY! (Part 2) . Lilwaynehq.com . 2010-05-26 . 2013-07-04.
  4. Web site: Koroma . Salima . Tech N9ne Signs ¡Mayday! To Strange Music | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales . HipHop DX . 2011-04-08 . 2013-07-04.
  5. Web site: iTunes - Music - Take Me to Your Leader by ¡MAYDAY! . Itunes.apple.com . 2012-03-26 . 2013-07-04.
  6. Web site: Mayday "Badlands" (Feat. Tech N9ne) Official Music Video . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/F53GjEFmj9A . 2021-12-18 . live. YouTube . 2013-07-04.
  7. Web site: 50 Best Miami Bands of All Time . Miami New Times . 2012-08-27 . 2017-02-16.
  8. Web site: LISTEN & DOWNLOAD - ¡MURSDAY! - 'Ready 2 Run' EP . Strange Music Inc. . 2014-12-05 . 2017-02-17.
  9. Web site: ¡MAYDAY! Addresses Plex Luthor Departure. Danielle. Harling. 2015-08-15.
  10. Web site: ¡MAYDAY! on Twitter. 2022-05-20 . Twitter . en.
  11. Mayday! - Chart History: Billboard 200 . Billboard .
  12. Billboard 200: June 28, 2014 . Billboard.
  13. Mayday! - Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard .
  14. Mayday! - Chart History: Rap Albums. Billboard .
  15. Rap Albums: June 28, 2014 . Billboard.
  16. Web site: MURS And ¡Mayday!'s Joint Album Is Coming Out In June - XXL . Xxlmag.com . 2014-04-16 . 2014-07-13.
  17. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles - May 17, 2014 . Billboard .
  18. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs : May 10, 2014. Billboard .
  19. Hot Rap Songs : May 10, 2014 . Billboard .
  20. Web site: LesCharts.com "Fragile" page (French Singles Chart). 2022-01-23. lescharts.com.