Tulsa-based hip-hop artist Steph Simon announced his fifth full-length album, “The Tulsa King: Everything The Light Touches,” will be released on streaming services Monday, April 1.
The 12-song project is “a north Tulsan’s ‘Lion King’ tale,” according to Simon, and features songs written and performed by Simon with production by Angelo Estes, George Young, Papa, Matt Leon, Sam Lang and Dez Ward.
Songs were recorded in Tulsa at Tisway Studios (with special thanks to Regina Tisdale) and at McLain Titans Studio at McLain High School. Simon built the recording studio at McLain and created and leads a nonprofit school program that allows students to learn all aspects of the music industry.
“This album is really about telling my story, and the journey I have been on as an artist and a human,” Simon said in a news release. “‘The Lion King’ is one of my favorite movies, and the tracklist of the album is connected to the narrative of that film while telling my own story of progression, evolution and fulfilling my destiny.”
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Simon is excited for the world to hear his story on the album.
“I’m blessed to have accomplished so many of the goals that I set out for when I released my first album in 2016, and I think you can really feel the progression in my new music,” he said. “I’ve gone from the hyper local level to the majors and being featured in The New Yorker and Rolling Stone with ‘Fire in Little Africa’; and I’ve gone from a little pawn to a Tulsa King.”
Simon’s discography also includes “Fire in Little Africa,” “Born on Black Wall Street” and “Visions From the Tisdale.”
The new album features vocals and lyrics by Simon with guest appearances by the legendary West Coast indie rapper Murs, plus Oklahoma artists Yung Thirty, Emani, Grand National, Chris “The God MC” Cain, Stategang Vince, Jeezmino and Shaun Simon.
Steph Simon said it was an honor to have a song with Murs, a well-known hip-hop artist who, since 2022, has been coming to Tulsa to mentor local hip-hop artists like Simon through his Groundwaves program.
“Murs coming to Tulsa to mentor artists like myself is big for the town,” Simon said. “Growing up I always watched how he and other artists moved independently and wanted to model that. He’s one of my favorite artists so it’s crazy to say I know him and have a record with him.”
Simon has a few festival headlining performances scheduled this spring before heading to Los Angeles for the summer to record and develop new projects. Fans can catch him at Norman Music Festival April 26 in Norman, at Carney Fest April 27 in Tulsa and at Mayfest May 11 in Tulsa.