Wellington-raised, Melbourne-based hip hop artist Name UL has officially ended his release hiatus, dropping the magnetic new single ‘Dice Roll’. The track offers listeners a vibrant glimpse into his upcoming full-length project, 'CHOSE(N)'—a record ten years in the making that acts as a direct companion piece to his 2016 debut, 'CHOICE(S)'.
Born Emanuel Psathas, the artist grew up in a musical Greek-New Zealand household before relocating across the Tasman Sea in 2023. Stepping away from his familiar support network in New Zealand proved daunting, yet the resulting period of isolation in Australia ultimately sparked fresh creative clarity. Drawing inspiration from boundary-pushing storytellers like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, J. Cole, Loyle Carner, and local icon Tom Scott, Name UL approaches his music with uncompromising authenticity.
“I’m a student of the genre, I have a lot of respect and love for the craft and the culture, and it matters to me that I contribute something authentic and meaningful to a genre that's given me so much.”
‘Dice Roll’ itself is a cheeky, upbeat love song centred on the quiet thrill of noticing someone who frequently goes overlooked. Originating from an initial beat sketch by New Zealand producer Baccyard, the track was produced by Name UL himself, mixed by Lee Prebble at Surgery Studios in Wellington, and polished off with mastering by Kelly Hibbert (renowned for his work with Flying Lotus, Madlib, and Hiatus Kaiyote). While playful and instantly catchy, the single serves as an inviting doorway into a broader, deeply adventurous album that reflects a decade of personal evolution.
Taking his artistic vision a step further, Name UL is merging his love for hip hop with cinema culture. To celebrate the release, he will host exclusive pre-release album listening sessions inside movie theatres—specifically at Classic Cinema in Elsternwick, Melbourne, and The Roxy in Wellington—giving fans a rare opportunity to experience 'CHOSE(N)' as a complete cinematic work.
You can stream ‘Dice Roll’ now on all major music platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to follow Name UL on Instagram, Facebook, and Bandcamp to keep up with news on the 'CHOSE(N)' rollout and upcoming cinema listening sessions.
