Lion Babe Redefines Modern Soul
Lion Babe is a New York musical duo whose sound brings together soul, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and electronic music. Comprised of vocalist Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman, also known as Astro Raw, the group connects familiar musical traditions with contemporary production. Their appeal comes from that creative balance: music that recalls earlier eras while leaving room for experimentation, personality, and movement.
Hervey gives Lion Babe a distinctive vocal presence, combining warmth and rhythmic flexibility with a strong visual identity. The daughter of singer and actress Vanessa Williams, she has developed an artistic direction of her own. Her background in dance also helps explain why movement feels central to the group’s presentation. Her performances connect singing, fashion, and physical expression, making the visual experience an extension of the music.
Goodman supplies the production foundation that allows those elements to come together. His approach draws on the rhythmic possibilities of hip-hop alongside the textures of soul and dance music. Within Lion Babe, the relationship between vocalist and producer functions as a creative conversation: Hervey’s voice gives the songs character, while Goodman’s arrangements establish their atmosphere and momentum. Their partnership makes room for both intimacy and the energy of a dance floor.
The duo began attracting attention with “Treat Me Like Fire,” an early release that introduced their combination of soulful vocals and electronic production. Their self-titled 2014 EP helped establish that identity, including “Jump Hi,” featuring Childish Gambino. These recordings offered a clear introduction to their musical approach, bringing an expressive lead voice together with beats that could feel playful, relaxed, and assertive within the same song.
Their debut album, Begin, arrived in 2016 and expanded the possibilities suggested by those early recordings. The project included “Wonder Woman,” produced by Pharrell Williams, as well as “Jump Hi.” Across the album, Lion Babe explored how their sound could work within a broader collection of songs. It marked an important stage in their development, moving the duo from promising introductions toward a more fully established musical identity.
With Cosmic Wind, released in 2019, Lion Babe entered a significant period of independence. The duo described it as their first independent album and an opportunity to define their creative world more clearly. Collaborations with artists including Leikeli47 and Raekwon extended the project’s musical range. That independence mattered because it gave Hervey and Goodman greater space to shape the relationship among their songs, their imagery, and the audiences they wanted to reach.
Their 2021 album, Rainbow Child, continued that exploration, featuring songs such as “Frida Kahlo” and a guest appearance from Ghostface Killah. The project followed a period when the duo connected with listeners through virtual performances during the pandemic. In that context, their emphasis on creativity and connection took on added meaning. Their work offered a way to sustain a shared musical experience when gathering in person had become difficult.
Lion Babe placed dance music more firmly at the center of their work with House of LION BABE, released in 2024. The duo explained that the project grew from their love of house music and the energy they experienced while performing around the world. Songs including “So Pretty,” “Hot Honey,” and “Better Late Than Never” belong to this chapter. The shift builds naturally on their longstanding interest in rhythm, movement, and bringing listeners together.
Their visual presentation also contributes to the group’s identity. Hervey’s expressive styling and performance presence complement music that encourages confidence and individuality. The duo’s “Fashion Week” release extends that connection between sound and style, drawing inspiration from the outfits, parties, atmosphere, and self-assurance associated with fashion’s busiest season. For Lion Babe, clothing and movement help communicate the same personality found in the songs.
Lion Babe’s artistic journey shows how a duo can develop across several musical settings while retaining a recognizable creative partnership. From their early soul-centered recordings to their deeper embrace of house music, Hervey and Goodman have continued exploring the relationship between voice, rhythm, and personal expression. Their commitment to connection, acceptance, and freedom of movement gives that evolution a consistent purpose: creating music that invites people to participate, express themselves, and share an experience.
