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The crossover between DJ culture and fashion has always had an impact on pop culture, no doubt. It also makes the nightlife experience more elevated, not to mention memorable. Just look at how fluorescent accessories defined 1990s rave culture in the UK, or how Daft Punk's metallic helmets spawned a movement of futuristic style.
Who can forget the crowds that Virgil Abloh got when he was DJing, not to mention the stylish drops from Honey Dijon's Honeymart? Today, there is a stronger crossover between content creators and DJs, fusing together music, film and fashion, now, more than ever. Bryan Griffin is known as a DJ and producer in the Hamptons called Gr1fn, is no stranger to this.
"Fashion is integral to all businesses; your appearance introduces you before anything else," he notes. "Even if you're not in a traditional fashion role, style and developing your own identity is key to the success of your personal brand."
Griffin's musical journey started in the numbers-driven marketing department of fashion brands, like Kenneth Cole, adidas and Wilhelmina Models. Though he has collaborated with brands like Heineken, Christian Louboutin, Tumi and Burberry, he switched to DJing and producing his own albums in his basement, with vocals recorded at New York City's Platinum Sound Recording Studios, co-owned by Wyclef Jean and Jerry Wonda.
His new album "Chasing II" (2025) drops today on Spotify, blending his love of cinematic soundscapes while paying homage to his cultural heritage, being Irish and Scottish, on the opening track, "Rise." With vocals and synths inspired by Celtic traditions and bagpipes, Griffin uses a sword, the Scottish Claymore, as a personal logo symbolizing resilience and the warrior spirit.
"Chasing II is this album is me, my emotional journey," said Griffin. "There is Scottish DNA in there, but in a Dolby sound, movie theater kind of way, it takes you to the Highlands."
Chasing II is a meandering musical landscape that takes us on an emotive journey through 14 tracks, a mashup of house, Afro house, and EDM. The album has a kind of spiritual depth, taking listeners through soundscapes that uplift you, then swoop right down into darkness. "It's meant to grab your attention, coming in with a bang," he adds.
Since launching a DJ career in 2022, Griffin has grown a following that extends beyond New York's fashion cocktail party circuit. The new album has him collaborating with vocalists in Zimbabwe (like Lloyd Soul), like on "DAI," where the vocals are in Shona, a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe. He has also collaborated with Los Angeles rapper Chaz Marcus on a summer hit, "Groove, Groove," and has performed at jet set destinations like Italy's Lake Como and Miami.
The album's last song, "I Love You," has a heartbeat in the background, but you can only notice it if you listen deeply. "Music should take you on a journey, with the song Overdrive, being a dark twist," he said. The song "Still Chasing," is a sequel to his song, "Chasing," from his first album, Chasing (2024). "'Still Chasing' means the story is not finished," he said. "We're still chasing that out-of-reach goal."
Over the past few years, Griffin put himself on the map for his singles. From original releases like "Cold Little Heart," to remixes, like Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart," he has garnered over two million streams on Soundcloud. You may have caught him DJing at stylish East Hampton hotspots like Si Si and Gurney's Resort in Montauk, not to mention gigs at the Surf Lodge, Hearsay and Dom in New York City.
To Griffin, dance music has always been in the background. He played piano, saxophone, cello and grew up in a family of professional ballroom dancers, who had an extensive record collection. He made his foray into music while studying in Dallas, seeing iconic artists live, like Benny Benassi, Bob Sinclair, Armin Van Buren and Deadmau5. "I was in college around when some of the most iconic anthems in house music came out, from 2009 to 2011," said Griffin. "I just didn't really pursue it because sports were such a big focus and honestly, the equipment was so expensive; I had no idea how to enter that market at the time."
The new album is called Chasing II, and it refers to chasing sunsets, or the goal in your life that feels like a setting sun.
"It's about chasing whatever you pursue in life," said Griffin. "This album is very reflective in nature; its healing in nature. This work was for those sunset moments—rooftops with friends; cool gatherings."
After his album launches with a listening party in New York City, Griffin will perform at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 22, then plans to tour Latin America. "I have a vision to tell a story through music," he said. "I hope to create a holistic experience both for my audience and partners ultimately my heart and soul which is why I started this journey."