Arizona has always thrived on collision, desert heat against neon cities, tradition against reinvention. Out of that friction comes Dropout Kings, the Phoenix crew who coined their own lane: trap metal. Equal parts hardcore breakdown and hip hop swagger, their sound is as restless as the city they came from.
Formed in 2016 by Adam Ramey after the breakup of his previous band, Dropout Kings were never about fitting in. Ramey linked up with rapper Eddie Wellz, turned a Linkin Park cover into a movement, and quickly pieced together a line-up that would send them into the tour trenches. By the time their debut Audiodope dropped in 2018, the band were already earning industry eyes, Billboard chart spots, and a rabid underground following.
They’ve since weathered line-up changes, label shifts, and relentless touring, evolving into a group that never plays it safe. Singles like ‘Virus’ pushed them onto rock radio, and by the time 2023’s Riot Music hit, Dropout Kings had defined their DNA: snarling riffs over 808s, with hooks built for both mosh pits and car stereos.
Tragedy Hits
2025, though, has been a year of both triumph and tragedy. In May, the band lost founding frontman Adam Ramey, whose vision and voice shaped Dropout Kings from day one. His tragic passing hit hard, but the band haven’t folded. Instead, they’ve doubled down on their purpose with the release of their third album Yokai on August 8 via Napalm Records. Dedicating the album to Ramey in a true sign of class. A record that shows how far trap metal has come, and how far they’re still willing to push it.
Current members Black Cat Bill, Rob Sebastian, Jeremy Garcia, Joe Lana Jr., and returning guitarist Chucky Guzman carry the torch forward, delivering an album steeped in heavy grooves, urgent rap verses, and the kind of catharsis you only get from a band with everything to prove. Yokai is raw, unfiltered, and proof that even in grief, Dropout Kings are still rewriting the rules. Adam passed just weeks after the completion of the album, which will now serve as a tribute to his legacy.
Essential Dropout Kings Videos
‘NVM’ (2018)
The track that lit the fuse on Audiodope and introduced the band’s trap-metal vision. Raw, jagged, and proof they weren’t afraid to blur lines.
‘Virus’ (2020)
Their breakout hit, climbing Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and showing the balance between rap delivery and heavy hooks. The video is a wild one!
‘Bad Day’ (video 2019/song 2018)
Had to throw in a personal favorite with this one, everyone has ‘Bad Days’ but this makes for a great song/video.
Dropout Kings On Tour
Dropout Kings are hitting the road this September to support WARGASM (UK)
| Date | Venue | Location | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Sept | Rubber Glove | Denton, TX, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 3 Sept | Mohawk – Indoor | Austin, TX, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 5 Sept | The Underground | Mesa, AZ, US | WARGASM (UK), There Is No Us |
| 6 Sept | 1720 | Los Angeles, CA, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 7 Sept | Bottom of the Hill | San Francisco, CA, US | WARGASM (UK), Diesel Dudes |
| 9 Sept | Kilby Court | Salt Lake City, UT, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 10 Sept | HQ Denver | Denver, CO, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 12 Sept | Turf Club | St. Paul, MN, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 13 Sept | Reggie’s | Chicago, IL, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 15 Sept | TV Eye | Ridgewood, NY, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 16 Sept | Sonia | Cambridge, MA, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 17 Sept | Metro Baltimore | Baltimore, MD, US | WARGASM (UK) |
| 19 Sept | The Garrison | Toronto, ON, Canada | WARGASM (UK) |
| 20 Sept | The Foundry Concert Club | Lakewood, OH, US | WARGASM (UK) |
Find out more and pick your tickets up here!
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