About the artist
Take one look at this genre-bending, culture-shocking duo, and one could see how their name fits so appropriately. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio and Atlanta, Ga respectively, female vocalist “Ring” and artist known as “Dolla” collectively make up the group titled WHOAA (pronounced WHOAA!). With a dynamic blend of Top 40 / Urban with a “Retro-pop” flair, this eye-catching duo is a breath of fresh air in today’s crowded music scene. Equipped with a highly energetic stage performance, and a commercially sensible image, WHOAA has an innate “realness” to their larger than life personalities. Female member “Ring”, a fiery blonde, pop-rock diva with a “Britney meets Lita Ford” vocal edge, brings out the sexier edge of WHOAA. The other half, “Dolla”, a genre-defying lyricist with retro 80s “funk” flair, with versatility that seamlessly weaves Hip-Hop and Pop, brings quite the dynamic balance to WHOAA.
Ashley “Ring” was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduate of SCPA (School for Creative and Performing Arts), and left her hometown to pursue a music career in Miami and Atlanta. She signed her first record deal with Cash Money Records, after being discovered by CEO Ronald “Slim” Williams. Ring released “Moving Target” featuring Lil Wayne and worked with many top producers and engineers, including Grammy-award winning Ken Lewis and Kevin Rudolf. During her tenure at Cash Money, Ring honed her talents under multi-platinum vocal director Ejay Randolph and vocally trained with legendary soul singer Betty Wright. Ring first worked with “Dolla”, during a recording session with Dolla’s former hip-hop group in 2013, where an organic chemistry was found, which ultimately led to the creation of WHOAA in late 2015.
Darren “Dolla” Murphy was born in Atlanta, GA and began his musical pursuit as a teenager and founding member of the successful independent hip-hop trio, EDUBB. Mostly known for their “tongue in cheek” pop music contributions, the viral hit “Whooty” and international club hit “Rain Boots”. Their indie success, with over 12 million YouTube views, garnering mentions on TMZ and placements on Germany’s Next Top Model, allowed Dolla to tour abroad in Europe, further establishing an international and statewide brand. Dolla not only performed with the group, but also handled marketing and brand duties and co-owned the independent label, selling over 80,000 digital units. WHOAA aligns both artist’s individual pasts and experiences to create a dynamic-duo powerhouse, youthful but seasoned, delicate yet bold, determined to leave their mark on the music industry and today’s world culture.
WHOAA’s debut EP “The Day Before…” & LP “The Day It All Changed…” is a culmination of a new sound that’s been crafted over the course of a year, with emerging producers: Mike Maven (production credits for Atlantic Records/Warner Brothers), Jamil DeBardlabon aka J Millz (Jessie J/ Universal Republic), Earegula (Teddy Riley/ DJ Marley Waters) and Grammy Winning Engineer Ken Lewis (Drake, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West). Leading off with their catchy “Let the Good Times Roll”, Top-40/Urban radio anthem “Crusin” and the heavy poppy ballad “Unconditional”, in which the group hopes will inspire a new movement for love and peace in today’s hectic times. “We just want to spread Love and spread Hope to those that might be Hopeless, to show the world that music is still a healing tool”, says Ring. With an acronym like “When Hearts Open And Attract”, it’s clear to see WHOAA, is on a mission with ambitious intentions.
Lyrics
Intro – Pre Hook
I belong to you, And We’ll Always be together
You belong to me, and we’ll cherish this forever
I’m in love with you, and we’ll always be together
Verse 1
See Love give a lotta people hope
And Hope give a lotta people dreams
And Man, they can really knock you down when their eyes can’t see what you see
You gotta pay to play to win the pot
And everyone floats before they sink
You gotta Give it all that you got
Nothing comes to a sleeper but a Dream
Pre Hook
I belong to you
And well always be together
You belong to me
And well cherish this forever
I’m in love with you
And well always be together
Forever
Cuz my love your love
Is unconditional
Cuz my love your love
Is unconditional
Hook
Put your hands up if you got somebody
Hey
Put your hands up if you need somebody
Hey
Spread the love around
Spread the love around
Verse 2
What we need is Love, Love for every race and blood
Love to forgive Family members on drugs, We need Love
Love, instead of sheets and blood
Holy wars, children dying, bodies covered in blood
Where is the love?
I remember when a cop stopped me
He pulled a Gun, he could’ve shot, he had the wrong I.D
If we had Love, Think of what We could become
If we all spread the Love and Unite as One
Just Give me Love!
Bridge
Catch me when I fall
Sometimes you fall down so fast
When life takes away all
You help pull me through