WHOAA

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, including Grammy-award winning Ken Lewis. During her tenure at Cash Money, Ring honed her talents under Ejay Randolph, worked with the late, great Tina Marie and vocally trained with legendary soul singer Betty Wright.  Ring first worked with “Dolla”, during a recording session with Dolla’s former 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 at the age of 16, as a 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, and create frequent bookings in the southeastern region of the states.  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’s debut LP “The Day It All Changed…” & EP “The Day Before…” is a culmination of a new sound dubbed “Retro-Pop” 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), Earegula (Teddy Riley) 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 radio anthem “Crusin” and the heavy 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 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.