Wax and DJ Hoppa have linked up for a new collaborative album, Highway Hotel, a road-tested project that brings together sharp lyricism, soulful production and a wide circle of genre-blending collaborators.
The album pairs Wax, the West Coast by way of Maryland emcee known for his conversational flow and melodic instincts, with Los Angeles-based producer DJ Hoppa, whose resume includes work with Bliss N Eso, Jarren Benton and Dizzy Wright. Together, the two build a project that moves with the feel of a late-night drive, pulling from hip-hop, alternative, reggae-adjacent grooves and laid-back West Coast textures.
Highway Hotel also arrives with a stacked guest list. The album features appearances from Little Stranger, Watsky, Jarren Benton, K.A.A.N., ¡MAYDAY!, Demrick, G. Love, Jarv and more, giving the project a communal feel without losing the chemistry at its center. Wax’s blend of humor, introspection and effortless technical ability sits comfortably over Hoppa’s production, while the featured artists add different shades to the album’s wide-ranging sound.
The release follows a busy stretch for Wax and DJ Hoppa, who recently wrapped a 27-date headlining run across the United States and Canada at the end of last year. The pair are currently back on the road together, bringing the energy of Highway Hotel into a live setting.
For fans of lyrical hip-hop with personality, melody and a strong sense of movement, Highway Hotel marks a natural meeting point between Wax’s storytelling and DJ Hoppa’s production style. It is an album built for the road, but grounded in the chemistry of two artists who know exactly how to keep the ride interesting.
