• by Colin Kirkland , July 25, 2023

Superplastic –– the Vermont-based character design studio known for creating high-end products and animating celebrities –– has expanded into the music industry, launching Superplastic Records with Virgin Music, via an onstage performance by a 3D animated hip-hop duo called Ghost Kidz at last weekend’s Rolling Loud Miami. 

Minutes before headliner Lil Uzi Vert’s set, Ghost Kidz rappers Lil’ ILL and Filth-E hijacked the festival’s main stage in an animated promotional effort, freestyling then playing their debut music video for the single “Goin’ Off,” which features esteemed rapper Vince Staples. 

Reminiscent of work by popular animated band Gorillaz’, which Superplastic helped create merchandise and video for, Ghost Kidz is made up of several characters, with an animated backstory that dropped prior to the in-person music festival. 

Ghost Kidz marks the first signed artists to Superplastic Records. Their music is distributed by Virgin Music. Together, both companies have teamed up with “a committee of hip-hop legends who will continue to help shape the future of the project.”

Superplastic has called its expansion into music “a natural progression” as it continues to work on reimagining animated storytelling and entertainment. 

Earlier this year, Superplastic announced a collaboration with Amazon that spans investment, a virtual streaming show that is currently in development, and a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. 

Ghost Kidz is set to drop new singles in the coming months, which Superplastic says will feature “prominent, chart-topping rappers, and will unveil unexpected partnerships in the physical and digital realm.”