Jujulipps is BACK with her aptly titled sophomore EP, ‘SUPERSTAR’, a genre-defying project that boldly blends hip hop, alternative, and punk influences into a unique and vibrant sound. Available Friday, 29th November via Bigpop Records, ‘SUPERSTAR’ showcases Jujulipps’ signature lyrical prowess, fearless experimentation, and the unapologetic confidence of an artist only intending to go up!
The EP opens with the focus track of the project, “Nightshift,” a pulsating anthem of frustration and drive, capturing the artist’s lived experiences working late hours and dreaming of stardom. Written during a grueling period of juggling a full-time night shift job and sessions in the music studio, ‘SUPERSTAR’ reflects Jujulipps’ personal journey through the challenges of balancing artistic passion with the demands of survival. As she explains, “It’s such a common story for creatives juggling this world of capitalism while simply wanting to create. I’m just grateful I was able to put that in my music, and I hope others can learn and relate to that all-too-common story.”
Each track on ‘SUPERSTAR’ represents a different chapter of this journey, from calling out societal standards in “Good Guys” to celebrating self-love and independence in “Game Over,” and culminating in the cathartic release of “Free,” written after being fired from her job. The project is a testament to Jujulipps’ resilience and belief in her destiny, stating, “Each second I dreaded, I thought of myself on stage in five years, the crowds I’d be playing to, the people who would know my music. That drive fueled everything.”
A standout feature of ‘SUPERSTAR’ is Jujulipps' exploration of different genres and vocal styles, with production by WHOSHOTSCOTT, whose genre-bending approach to punk hip hop complements Jujulipps’ fearless artistry. “At the core, Jujulipps will always be hip hop,” she says, “but I’m inspired by so much that I can’t be put into a box just yet.”
Visuals are another key aspect of ‘SUPERSTAR’, with a recurring alter- ego character, “Superstar Juju,” who symbolises Jujulipps’ unstoppable confidence and manifestation of unbridled power. The character, brought to life with the help of makeup artist Tallulah McClean and stylist Estelle Schuller, represents Jujulipps’ belief in her inevitable rise to fame. “Superstar Juju is a reflection of who I am—a go-getter with out-of-this-world confidence. She’s the power of manifestation embodied,” she explains.
The accompanying music video for "Nightshift" was directed by the visionary team at Night Watch, who discovered Jujulipps while she was performing at the iconic Camp A Low Hum festival. "We were transfixed. Jazz danced so hard she punched Jaya in the eye and we had to spend the rest of the night in the medical tent," they recalled, highlighting the unique way their collaboration began. Straight after the festival, the team reached out to Jujulipps and went on to create not only the "Nightshift" video but also the video for her single "Game Over."
The ‘Nightshift’ video offers a narrative-driven depiction of Jujulipps navigating the grind of a night shift, while her future self—Superstar Juju—looms in the background, representing her destined future. "With 'Nightshift,' we wanted to highlight the duality of Juju’s personality: a down-to-earth working-class woman, but also a full- blown superstar," said the directors. "We wanted to get creative with how these two elements could coexist within oneself, and the concept was elevated by the looks Juju created with stylist Estelle Schuler and Hair & Makeup Artist Tallulah."
The production took a unique approach to enhancing the video's visuals and atmosphere, with the location itself becoming a character. "The space's creepy essence guided our camera work," they explained. "We played with high and low angles that sold the unsettling vibe, while leaning into street light orange tones and nighttime blue hues. Having Ben Montgomery as our Director of Photography was key to this, especially with his talent in lighting, which allowed for complex, creative setups."
'SUPERSTAR' features five standout tracks, all linked by the overarching themes of self-determination, resilience, and questioning societal norms. Tracks like “Good Guys” address frustrations with toxic relationships and societal expectations, while “Don’t Smoke My W**d” offers a humorous yet honest look at Jujulipps' personal life, created spontaneously in the studio after a long day.
On the collaboration front, Jujulipps worked closely with WHOSHOTSCOTT, who was instrumental in shaping the project’s bold sound, blending elements of punk, hip hop, and alternative influences. The EP was mixed by Josh Strand and mastered by Howard Rogers, completing the vision of a boundary-pushing project that refuses to be boxed in.
Jujulipps describes SUPERSTAR as a true reflection of her growth and determination as an artist: “This is just a small peek of what the next 20 years will hold. I feel incredibly connected to this music, and I’m excited for the world to experience it.”
SUPERSTAR will be available in CD form and on all streaming services on Friday, 29th November via Aotearoa’s independent label Bigpop Records.