Laurel Canyon originates from its intersection with Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood and slices it’s way through the Hollywood Hills. It winds and twists its way high above the city where we find Laurel Canyon residents: The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Carole King, James Taylor, the Mamas & the Papas, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, Jim Morrison, Neil Young and the host of other legendary talent who resided there from 1965 through 1976.
Universal Attractions Agency (UAA) is excited to announce that veteran booking agent Trip Brown has joined the agency’s rock & pop division. Brown joins a growing department established in 2023 and becomes the second UAA agent based out of Nashville.
Brown brings a roster of established rock and folk artists to UAA, including Cimarron 615, Gasoline Lollipops, John McEuen, Johnny A. Syndicate, Live from Laurel Canyon, Stone Horses, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and The Sweet Remains, among others.
Trip Brown was notably the longtime booking agent for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 1984 to 1997. During this period, Brown played a significant role in fostering the band’s breakthrough to global stardom during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik era of the early 90s.
Throughout his impressive career, Trip Brown has also acted as the agent for numerous high-profile, acclaimed acts, including The Flaming Lips, Public Image Ltd, Candlebox, and Traffic.
UAA general manager Nick Martucci spoke on the addition of Trip, saying: “Trip has spent decades doing this the right way, developing relationships, building artists’ careers from the ground up, and earning the trust of everyone he works with. That’s the kind of culture we are building at UAA, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
Trip Brown also spoke on joining UAA, adding: “I’m excited to join the amazing team at Universal Attractions and to help build the rock & pop department. It’ll be a great home for my artists and for me.”
Before joining Universal Attractions Agency, Trip Brown spent the past nine years at New Frontier Touring. Brown has also worked at Paradise Artists, William Morris Agency, ICM, Triad Artists, and Independent Talent Group (ITG).
UAA’s R&B veteran Joe Thomas earned every chain and stripe on his body as he stepped behind the Tiny Desk. For every Usher, Ne-Yo, and Leon Thomas who has played in our office, fans of one of their archetypes wondered when he would get his shot. We saw the petitions and social media posts, but trust: We chased for years. Before the music started, the singer-songwriter and producer explained: “Where have I been for the past few years? Well, I’ve been on the road touring. I’m here with you all today, and I wanna do a few songs throughout the catalog.” Each of the “few songs” Joe refers to is a chart-topping, gold and platinum-selling smash from the ‘90s and early 2000s. At the Desk, Thomas proves the time away hasn’t diminished anything. He quickly gathers the entire audience in one hand, blazing through songs like “Good Girls,” “The Love Scene” and the dirty macking anthem, “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do).” Joe closes the set with a tender moment, inviting his daughter, Kayla, to sing background on his biggest hit, “I Wanna Know.”
One of the leading voices of Brooklyn drill, known for blending melodic hooks, introspective storytelling, and street-rooted authenticity into a sound that has helped define a generation of New York hip-hop, Sleepy Hallow, emerged alongside longtime collaborator Sheff G as a pioneer of the borough’s drill movement, helping bring the genre from local streets to mainstream audiences.
After breaking through with early releases such as “Flows” and the viral hit “Deep End Freestyle,” Sleepy Hallow quickly became one of the most recognizable names in modern rap. His signature combination of laid-back delivery, melodic versatility, and emotionally driven lyrics propelled songs like “2055,” “Anxiety Freestyle,” and “Die Young” to hundreds of millions of streams and widespread acclaim.
A cornerstone of Winners Circle Entertainment, Sleepy Hallow has consistently expanded his sound beyond traditional drill, incorporating elements of R&B, melodic rap, and Caribbean influences while maintaining the raw honesty that first connected him with fans. His projects, including Don’t Sleep, Sleepy for President, Still Sleep?, and Boy Meets World, showcase an artist equally comfortable delivering street anthems, reflective narratives, and crossover hits.
One of the leading voices of Brooklyn drill, known for blending melodic hooks, introspective storytelling, and street-rooted authenticity into a sound that has helped define a generation of New York hip-hop, Sleepy Hallow, emerged alongside longtime collaborator Sheff G as a pioneer of the borough’s drill movement, helping bring the genre from local streets to mainstream audiences.
After breaking through with early releases such as “Flows” and the viral hit “Deep End Freestyle,” Sleepy Hallow quickly became one of the most recognizable names in modern rap. His signature combination of laid-back delivery, melodic versatility, and emotionally driven lyrics propelled songs like “2055,” “Anxiety Freestyle,” and “Die Young” to hundreds of millions of streams and widespread acclaim.
A cornerstone of Winners Circle Entertainment, Sleepy Hallow has consistently expanded his sound beyond traditional drill, incorporating elements of R&B, melodic rap, and Caribbean influences while maintaining the raw honesty that first connected him with fans. His projects, including Don’t Sleep, Sleepy for President, Still Sleep?, and Boy Meets World, showcase an artist equally comfortable delivering street anthems, reflective narratives, and crossover hits.
UAA’s Floetry made its way “from London’s SE5 to Philly’s west side just to bring the vibe” to the Tiny Desk. And with the poetic flows of Natalie Stewart (aka The Floacist) and a rich, floating soprano from Marsha Ambrosius (aka The Songstress), the vibe in our space was immaculate. This duo has known and made music with each other since youth — it’s a sisterhood that doesn’t diminish through the ebbs and flows of life. They began their musical journey together in London and found themselves embedded in Philadelphia’s rich music scene, building a catalog of soulful R&B projects that charmed audiences. Floetry took a moment from its first tour in a decade to stop by the Tiny Desk. The duo starts their set with “Big Ben,” a callback to their U.K. origins. “Butterflies,” co-written by Ambrosius and Andre Harris — and famously performed by Michael Jackson — is mesmerizing as Ambrosius’ voice flutters. Situated in the middle of the set are the sensual “Say Yes” and “Getting Late,” songs that steam up any environment, causing the pair to joke it might be too early in the day for them. There’s a palpable joy and playfulness in the little moments between songs; that joy spills over to the audience, who excitedly sing along. Floetry closes with its debut single, “Floetic,” taking the audience back to the 20-somethings who announced their arrival onto the R&B landscape.
SOPHIE B. HAWKINS is a Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter born and raised in New York, NY. Her platinum debut album, TONGUES AND TAILS, featured the indelible Top 10 single “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover,” followed by her second platinum release, WHALER, which produced multiple hits, including “As I Lay Me Down,” which became the longest-running single in Billboard Adult Contemporary chart history. She famously challenged her record label for creative control over “Lose Your Way,” the lead single from her third album, TIMBRE. After winning the dispute, she became an independent artist, going on to release five additional albums on her own imprint, Broken Plate Music.
Over the past two decades, Sophie has earned industry awards, performed sold-out concerts, and been the subject of the acclaimed documentary THE CREAM WILL RISE. She also received critical praise for her portrayal of Janis Joplin in the nationally touring play ROOM 105. Her music continues to permeate popular culture – from memorable guest performances on DAWSON’S CREEK and COMMUNITY to recent needle drops on STRANGER THINGS, OZARK, YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS and FX’s LOVE STORY.
A dynamic creative force known for her spellbinding live shows, Sophie celebrated the 30th anniversary of WHALER in 2025 with an acoustic tour across North America and the UK, alongside the release of WHALER RE-EMERGING, her ninth album.
Currently, she is developing BIRDS OF NEW YORK, an original musical for which she has written the book, music and lyrics. She is also writing an autobiographical memoir and preparing music for her tenth album
Listeners take the trip of a lifetime with the jam band ElephantProof, a Boston-based quartet leading the way along your musical journey. These elite yet humble Berklee-trained musicians blend their talents into a siren song of sonic energy consisting of strong basslines (Shon Gordon,) outspoken guitar solos (Sean Cronin,) classic keys (Chris Enright,) and heartfelt drums (Ben Atkind, former Goose member.) Undeniably, the siren song of ElephantProof defies conventional musical ideas and leads you on your own path of understanding.
Universal Attractions Agency is excited to announce the exclusive signing of influential Minnesota rapper and activist, Brother Ali. UAA’s co-owner, Jeff Epstein, and Ben Sauberman will act as responsible agent.
Brother Ali released his debut album in 2000 titled “Rites of Passage” on Rhymesayers Entertainment, a label established by fellow Minnesota rappers, Slug and Ant of Atmosphere. Renowned for a discography of critically acclaimed albums addressing socially conscious themes, Brother Ali’s notable works include “Shadows of the Sun,” “The Undisputed Truth,” and “Us,” among others. In the previous year, Brother Ali released his tenth studio album, “Satisfied Soul.”
A longtime key figure in the underground hip-hop scene, Brother Ali has collaborated with several of the most politically and socially engaged rappers in the genre’s history, including Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Killer Mike, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Immortal Technique.
In addition to his musical career, Brother Ali is recognized for his activism, community leadership, and teaching of Islamic spirituality. He has lectured at universities including Princeton and Stanford, and delivered the keynote address at the 25th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum in 2013. His contributions as both an artist and community activist have earned high praise from Dr. Cornel West, Dave Chappelle, and Brother Ali’s early mentor, Chuck D.
Brother Ali will perform at the 2026 Reggae Rise Up festival in Redmond, Oregon, this summer, as well as at additional tour dates in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Vancouver. Further dates will be announced soon.
For tickets, visit: www.brotherali.com/events
Howie Day’s emotionally resonant lyrics and inventive melodies have earned him both critical praise and a legion of devoted fans.
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