Tropidelic Releases Their New Album ‘First Light’

Cleveland’s Tropidelic released their ninth full-length album, First Light. The record builds on the band’s signature fusion of reggae, rock, hip-hop, funk, and punk while expanding their sound into more reflective and dynamic territory. Balancing uplifting melodies with raw energy, and introspective songwriting with explosive performances, First Light showcases the band’s fearless creativity, undeniable chemistry, and ever-evolving artistry. The result is a collection that feels both fresh and unmistakably Tropidelic, further cementing their place as one of the most distinctive acts in the genre.

Matthew Roads states:

“We’ve stepped into our own as writers and artists. We approached this record with a new perspective and with a new, seasoned production team. The creative process was the most fulfilling yet, and the reception so far has been great.”

Tropidelic’s rise has been fueled by a relentless grassroots approach from day one. What began as guerrilla-style promotion and backyard parties has grown into the band’s own destination event, Everwild Music Festival, returning later next month to Thornville, Ohio. Along the way, Tropidelic has performed at major U.S. festivals including Okeechobee, BeachLife, and Tortuga, toured alongside The Dirty Heads, Lupe Fiasco, and 311, and taken the stage multiple times at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Their connection to their hometown remains just as strong as ever. The band has thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game before performing live for a packed stadium, adopted a stretch of highway in Cleveland—“I want it to be so clean you could eat off our stretch,” says vocalist Roads—and regularly volunteers at a local men’s shelter while encouraging fans to join them in giving back. For Tropidelic, the community has always been as important as the music.

Tour Dates:

July 30 – August 1 – Thornville, OH, Everwild Music Festival
August 5- Omaha, NE, The Admiral Theater
August 6 – St. Louis, MO, Atomic
August 7 – Kansas City, MO, Madrid Theatre
August 8 – Oklahoma City, OK, Tower Theatre
August 12 – Pensacola, FL, Vinyl Music Hall
August 13 – Houston, TX, White Oak Music Hall
August 14 – Austin, TX, Emo’s Austin
August 15 – Dallas, TX, Granada Theater
August 17 – Santa Fe, NM, Plaza Series
August 19 – Phoenix, AZ, The Van Buren
August 20 – Del Mar, CA, The Sound at Del Mar
August 21 – Santa Ana, CA, The Observatory
August 22 – San Francisco, CA, The Fillmore
August 23 – Roseville, CA, Goldfield Trading Post
August 26 – Seattle, WA, The Showbox
August 27 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom
August 28 – Salt Lake City, UT, Rockwell @ The Complex
August 29 – Denver, CO, Mission Ballroom
September 2 – Detroit, MI, The Majestic Theatre
September 3 – Chicago, IL, Ramova Theatre
September 4 – Indianapolis, IN, HI-FI
September 5 – Geneva, MN, Shangri-La Festival
September 6 – Kimberly, WI, Tanner’s
September 10 – Boston, MA, Citizens House of Blues Boston
September 11 – New York, NY, Brooklyn Bowl
September 12 – Philadelphia, PA, The Fillmore
September 13 – Washington, DC, 9:30 Club

Tropidelic ‘First Light’ album artwork