Honestly, if you told me five years ago that the most exciting thing in hip-hop would be two guys from State College, Pennsylvania, who look like they just crawled out of a 1994 skate video, I’d have laughed in your face. But here we are. Joey Valence & Brae aren't just a "throwback" act; they are a full-blown glitch in the current music industry matrix.
Most people see them on TikTok and assume they're just a meme. They think, "Oh, it's those Beastie Boys clones." But if you actually look at the members of Joey Valence & Brae, there is a lot more going on than just baggy pants and shouting into fisheye lenses.
Who Are Joseph Bertolino and Braedan Lugue?
The duo is made up of Joseph Bertolino (Joey Valence) and Braedan Lugue (Brae). That’s it. No massive entourage, no room full of Swedish ghostwriters, no corporate committee.
Joey is the architect. He’s the one sitting in his bedroom producing the beats, mixing the tracks, and basically doing the work of an entire studio staff. He started producing when he was 12. Back then, he wanted to be Skrillex. You can actually hear that heavy electronic influence if you strip away the rapping—there’s a frantic, rave-like energy to his production that most boom-bap purists couldn't dream of.
Brae is the wildcard. Before they met, he had never even rapped. Think about that for a second. One of the most charismatic frontmen in the current alt-hip-hop scene was basically just a guy serving burgers and planning to become a medical device salesman. His flow is natural, almost accidental, which is probably why it doesn’t sound like the "industrialized" rap we're used to hearing on the radio.
The Red Lobster Origin Story
Their meeting wasn't some grand industry setup. They met during their freshman year at Pennsylvania State University in 2018.
The legends (and their own interviews) say it happened because of a mutual friend and a trip to Red Lobster. It’s such a mundane, suburban start for a group that ended up performing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and touring with Sum 41. They bonded over a shared, chaotic sense of humor. That’s the "secret sauce" people miss. They weren't trying to be rappers; they were just trying to make each other laugh.
Why the "Beastie Boys" Comparison is Lazy
Look, I get it. They’re two guys, they trade lines mid-sentence, and they love a good distorted vocal. The comparison to the Beastie Boys is the first thing every critic writes.
But it’s kinda surface-level.
While Ad-Rock and MCA were rooted in the New York punk-to-hardcore-to-hip-hop pipeline, Joey and Brae are products of the internet. Their influences are a total mess of 2010s EDM, Mortal Kombat sound effects, SpongeBob SquarePants samples, and early 2000s club bangers.
The Evolution of the JVB Sound
- The DIY Era: Their first hit, "Crank It Up," was literally just them messing around in an apartment. It blew up on TikTok because it felt real at a time when everything else felt manufactured.
- The Viral Peak: "Punk Tactics" changed everything. That song is a masterclass in tension. It’s got that "intergalactic" grit but feels like it was recorded in a garage.
- The Collaborations: By 2024 and 2025, they started getting "cool kid" validation. Working with Danny Brown on "PACKAPUNCH" and JPEGMAFIA on "WASSUP" proved they weren't just a novelty. These are heavy hitters in the underground scene who don't just work with anyone.
- The Club Pivot: Their 2025 album HYPERYOUTH shows them leaning into "booty-bouncing" (Brae’s words) club music. It’s faster. It’s weirder. It samples Rebecca Black.
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
A lot of people think JVB is "Nerdcore."
Because they reference Star Wars, Pokémon, and gaming, they get lumped into this niche "geek rap" category. That’s a mistake. They aren't rapping about lore; they're using the language of their generation. It’s not a gimmick. It’s just who they are.
They also catch heat for being "independent." People think that means they don't have a plan. In reality, they are some of the smartest marketers in the game. They stayed at the merch booths after shows to meet every single fan when they were playing to 15 people. They understood that in the 2020s, a "member" of a band is also a content creator, a community manager, and a touring workhorse.
The Reality of Being an Independent Duo in 2026
It’s not all fun and games. Joey has talked about the pressure of producing everything himself. When you are the one making the beats, writing the hooks, and mixing the final master, there’s no one else to blame if a song flops.
And yet, they've turned down the traditional "big label" path for a long time to keep creative control. They eventually partnered with RCA, but the music still sounds like it was made in a bedroom in Centre County. That’s a hard line to walk without becoming a "sellout" or losing the lo-fi charm that made them famous in the first place.
Key Stats and Milestones
- Origin: State College, PA.
- Primary Members: Joey Valence (Joseph Bertolino) & Brae (Braedan Lugue).
- Breakout Single: "Punk Tactics" (2022).
- Major Albums: Punk Tactics (2023), No Hands (2024), HYPERYOUTH (2025).
- The "Secret" Member: They often work with a DJ live, but the core creative unit is just the two of them.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking at the members of Joey Valence & Brae and wondering how they did it, there are a few "unwritten rules" they followed that you can actually apply to your own stuff.
First, stop trying to be "cool." The reason JVB works is that they are deeply uncool in a traditional sense. They wear weird clothes, make "dad jokes," and dance like idiots. That authenticity is magnetic because it’s rare.
Second, master the "Short-Form to Long-Form" pipeline. They didn't just post a TikTok and hope for the best. They used those 15-second clips to drive people to full albums. They understood that a viral moment is a handshake, not a career.
Third, focus on the live show. If you ever get a chance to see them on the HYPERYOUTH world tour, do it. They don't use backing tracks for their vocals. They actually rap every word. In an era of "mumble rap" and "vibes," seeing two guys actually exert physical energy on stage is a breath of fresh air.
Lastly, keep your circle small. You don't need a massive team if you have a partner who shares your vision. Joey and Brae succeeded because they are best friends first and business partners second. That chemistry can't be faked by a talent scout.
The best way to support them isn't just streaming "Punk Tactics" for the thousandth time. Check out the NO HANDS deluxe edition or the new singles like "CLOVER" with IDK. They are constantly evolving, and if you stop paying attention for six months, you’ll probably miss an entire genre shift. Keep an eye on their official site, jvbsucks.com, for tour dates, because their live energy is where the "members" really come to life.