Chicago underground artist Joey P. returns with new music after a year away, introducing a sound that pushes his artistry into new territory. Born Joseph Pacius, follows the success of his 2024 project DYING TO LIVE and his 2025 #1 hit single “Only One” with playboy, a 2026 project created to give listeners a more mature side of his sound while keeping the crooning style that has become part of his identity.
Hailing from Chicago’s expansive underground music scene, Joey P. has built a growing catalog that currently includes eight projects and 24 songs. His reach has also continued to expand beyond the city, with his Instagram receiving more than 5 million views between 2024 and 2026. His music has received radio play in Japan, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and Australia, while Chicago remains one of his strongest listening markets and consistently appears among his top five streaming cities.
Joey describes his developing sound as “astral RnB,” a style that has helped distinguish him within the underground scene. With playboy, he continues developing that identity while introducing a different listening experience for both longtime listeners and people discovering his music for the first time.
Created in collaboration with Sanato and Sandro Carr, playboy features two new listening experiences that reflect Joey’s continued growth. The project moves toward a more evolved sound without completely leaving behind the vocal approach that audiences have come to associate with him. One early sign of the interest surrounding the release came from the teaser for “right there,” which received more than 2,000 listens on its first day.
The new project arrives as Joey continues building momentum around his music and expanding his audience internationally. His progression from Chicago’s underground scene to gaining listeners and radio attention across multiple countries has become a defining part of his recent run.
For Joey, the direction of his career is closely tied to personal growth and possibility. “Life is good, I’m a version of myself I used to dream of. It’s possible, anything and everything that you want…it’s possible,” he says.
With playboy, Joey P. returns after a year away with new material, a developing sound, and another step forward in the evolution of his “astral RnB” identity.
Stream Below:open.spotify.com/track/0zto8yKQ4IyvlnQzW
Follow joey P:@jpacius_sm