Johnny Polygon

John Willima Armour (born May 15, 1984), better known by his stage name Johnny Polygon, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Polygon would meet American producer DJ Green Lantern in 2008, who offered him a record deal with his label imprint, Invasion Music Group. In 2009, Polygon released his first project under the label, an extended play (EP) titled Group Hug, which URB Magazine called "risky yet authentic." In 2010, Polygon followed his EP with Rebel Without Applause, his first official mixtape, which included the promotional single, "The Riot Song". The single went on to be featured on MTV, VH1 and Centric, as well as the HBO television series, How to Make it in America.

Johnny Polygon has worked with high-profile musicians such as Nas and Kid Cudi. He frequently collaborates with his longtime friend and fellow Oklahoman Gabriel Royal, and has also worked with Amanda Diva, Dead Prez and Yelawolf. In 2012, MSN.com named Polygon one of their "Top 5 Up-And-Comers You Should Know." Since 2001, Polygon has released ten studio albums, with his latest being Teddy Bear Massacre 2 (2022). As an adolescent, Johnny Polygon first encountered hip hop through breakdancing. He later began rapping at the age of 14. Polygon continued participating in local theater groups and rap battles, helping him develop a sense of stage presence and projection.

As a teenager, Polygon attended Booker T. Washington High School, Central High School and Project 12 High School, all of which he was kicked out of. He later dropped out of high school to further his career as a rapper. "I told my parents I want to do music, and they were like you can’t really do that here. So my dad was like ‘I’ll give you a ride—where you want to go, L.A. or New York City?’ And the weather was nicer in L.A., so I was like ‘let’s go there.’" In 2008, Polygon signed a recording contract with DJ Green Lantern's record label imprint, Invasion Music Group. Once Polygon signed with DJ Green Lantern, he moved to Brooklyn, where they then recorded several songs, including "Price on Your Head", an original song written for 2008's Grand Theft Auto IV video game. On May 12, 2009, Polygon released his first project under Invasion Music Group, his debut extended play (EP), titled Group Hug. URB Magazine called Group Hug "risky yet authentic" and gave it four out of five stars. Polygon also made an appearance on the Dead Prez mixtape, Pulse of the People: Turn Off the Radio Vol. 3 (2009). He was featured on the song "NYDP", which was also included in the 2010 film Brooklyn’s Finest. In late 2009, Polygon made a cameo appearance in Kid Cudi’s "Pursuit of Happiness" music video, alongside fellow rappers Drake and Consequence.

On February 14, 2010, Polygon released Rebel Without Applause, a mixtape presented by DJ Green Lantern and Karmaloop.com. The mixtape features guest appearances from Kid Cudi and Amanda Diva, as well as longtime friend and collaborator, Gabe Royal. The video is a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner inspired live action cartoon, using over 3,000 real paper cut outs to tell the story, with no repeating images. "The Riot Song" was featured on an episode of HBO’s 2010 series, How to Make it in America. "The Riot Song" was also included on the soundtrack to How to Make it in America, which was curated by Kid Cudi and Scott Vener, as well as presented by Kid Cudi, DJ Green Lantern and Broke Mogul. During the intro of the track Cudi states that Johnny is "…the illest up-and-coming artist". On March 31, 2010, Polygon visited Los Angeles’ KPWR's POWER 106 FM THE TAKEOVER with the LA Leakers and DJ Reflex. During the show he performed a freestyle over The Black Eyed Peas' hit single, "Imma Be". In the July 2010 issue of Oklahoma Magazine, Johnny Polygon had a featured spread.

Polygon also had his own online show on karmaloop.tv. The premise of the show revolved around Polygon and his life as a recording artist. On its second season, the show had featured stories about him, Nas, and Kid Cudi, as well as what its like to be in the shoes of Johnny Polygon. In 2010, Polygon's song "Ebonics", was included on the soundtrack to the film, The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher. On April 1, 2010, during a show in Los Angeles, Polygon announced he was no longer signed to DJ Green Lantern's label imprint and that he would be moving forward as an independent artist. Polygon's video for "The Riot Song" premiered on MTV2’s show subterranean on July 28, 2010. Also in late July, "The Riot Song" music video was added to VH1 Soul and mtvU. Additionally, "The Riot Song" appeared on BET's Centric and saw heavy play on Radio Nova (France). "The Riot Song" video, eventually broke MTV's Top 100, peaking at number eight.

On November 16, 2010, Johnny Polygon released an official 30-track mixtape presented by Orisue, titled Catch-Up. The project is essentially a compilation album composed of tracks from Polygon's career up to 2010, as well as remixes, unreleased tracks and collaborations with other artists. The tape was released in promotion for his second EP, Wolf in Cheap Clothing (2010). Wolf in Cheap Clothing was released for free download on December 15, 2010, to critical acclaim.

2011–2013: The Nothing In 2011, Polygon returned to his Oklahoma roots where he was featured on the back of This Land Press''' January print issue, as part of the paper's "True Tulsa" portrait series. In April 2011, Johnny Polygon starred as the titular character in a short film titled Where is Victor Black?, which was directed by Italian Vogue director Tommaso Cardile. The film, which co-stars Jennifer Missoni, was entered in the 48 Hour Film Project contest. In an interview published in April 2011, Polygon said he had declined a record deal that would have required him to live in California, out of loyalty to his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In August 2011, Polygon stopped by Los Angeles’ Knocksteady Live and performed "Limosexsuperstar", a new song from his upcoming project, Pussy Gun, for their podcast. Polygon's album Pussy Gun, had been announced for a 2012 release under Bananabeat Records.

On March 7, 2012, Polygon released a trailer for a song titled "My Shit >" and released the song for free download, via his Facebook page. Almost eight months after performing the song for Knocksteady TV, Polygon released the un-mastered audio for Pussy Gun's lead single, "Limosexsuperstar". In May 2012, Polygon's song “Ebonics” was included in the original motion picture soundtrack to the film The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopher.

On September 7, 2012, via his Twitter feed, Polygon announced that he is no longer signed or affiliated with Bananabeat Records and would release Pussy Gun independently. The music video for his song "My Shit", was also released on September 7. Polygon made his directorial debut in November 2012, directing the music video for THURZ's "Are You Not", which also features vocals from Polygon himself.

In December 2012, MSN.com named Polygon one of the "Top 5 Artists Up-And-Comers You Should Know." On December 12, 2012, Polygon revealed he would be releasing a project preceding the release of Pussy Gun. He stated the project would feature 7–12 brand new songs and would be released in early 2013, while announcing Pussy Gun for late 2013.

On February 27, 2013, Polygon released The Nothing. The 12-track album was the product of collaborations with record producers Picnic Tyme, Daygee Kwia, ACDMY and Mateo. The album was co-produced, mixed and mastered by Manhattan-based record producer Alex Gruenberg. The Nothing was available for free download and later on March 4, 2013, for digital purchase. Melissa Pandika of OZY Media wrote The Nothing is "a kaleidoscope of psychedelic soundscapes laden with darkly personal rhymes, a laid-back flow — and an unexpectedly soulful, haunting falsetto."

In March 2013, Polygon embarked on a U.S. national tour entitled Light Up The Night, which began in Tulsa at The Vanguard on March 20, with American hip hop group Pac Div. A few days later he tweeted: "My next ep will be my last". On February 1, 2014, Polygon released a remix to the song "Versace", which he re-titled "Old Navy".

2014–2016: Water Damage and I Love You, Goodnight. On March 23, 2014, Polygon unveiled a tentative track list for the new EP, when he posted a screenshot of it on Instagram, with the caption: "It's happening again. 5 more and it's all yours.". Throughout May 2014, Polygon performed in New York City, to promote his upcoming project. On June 19, 2014, Polygon tweeted: "Droppin a new project next month. Touring it in august". On June 20, 2014, Polygon released a song titled "Never Too Old to Die Young", via independent online music store Bandcamp. On July 25, 2014, Polygon released "The Weather Report", another single via Bandcamp. On August 30, 2014, after releasing a single titled "The Fall", Polygon revealed his next project would be titled King of Ashes. On October 1, 2014, Polygon performed and premiered his song "Dead Meat", live in Cosmic Zoo studio, after a long conversation with Intuition, on the Kinda Neat podcast. On November 8, 2014, Polygon revealed he changed the title of his upcoming project and that it would no longer be an EP, but instead a full-length album. On December 21, 2014, Polygon announced he would release the album, now titled I Love You, Goodnight., after his website reaches 200 members.

On February 25, 2015, Polygon unexpectedly released an album titled Water Damage, selling only a limited 200 copies, via his website. On his website Polygon wrote: "This collection of songs is entitled Water Damage. Don’t worry guys, i love you, goodnight is still on its way. It’s being mastered, mixed and then off to the vinyl manufacturer for duplication so an update on the release date is just weeks away. To tide your appetite, I’ve got a collection of leaks from over the years as well as unreleased material you guys have been asking for, for years upon years. I’m finally letting those tracks go." After Water Damage was released, it was revealed that the project was actually the long-awaited and unreleased album, Pussy Gun. Polygon later revealed I Love You, Goodnight., would be released May 15, 2015. The album will be supported by North American and European tour dates and four music video releases. In 2015, Polygon lent his voice as the starring and supporting characters in 50 episodes of a National Geographic sponsored children's show entitled, 50 Birds, 50 States.

In support of the Water Damage album, Polygon organized the "Hole in the Wall" concert tour. In March 2015, Polygon made his debut appearance at the Norman Music Festival. On May 15, 2015, Polygon announced that he had pushed back I Love You, Goodnight., because his frequent collaborator Picnic Tyme, the producer behind "The Riot Song" and "Kids Broken Hearted", had given him new material to work with for the album. He also revealed the new release date to be June 4, 2015. In May 2015, Polygon was featured in an article on The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.

On February 10, 2016, Polygon revealed he had a few hard copies of a secret album that he would only be releasing to people in Los Angeles hand-to-hand. On August 30, 2016, Polygon announced he would be recording his first live album. In September, Polygon revealed he would be recording the album on the twenty-second of that month at live music venue The Yeti, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

2017–present: Teddy Bear Massacre series On April 20, 2017, in celebration of cannabis culture, Polygon released a new single titled "Sex and Drugs". On April 14, Polygon announced a new project, tentatively titled Nimrod Cupid. Polygon released the album Teddy Bear Massacre, Vol. 1 on May 15, 2019.

Artistry Influences Growing up, Johnny Polygon listened to Nirvana, Elton John, Tupac and Norah Jones. In 2010, a writer from Planet Ill wrote "Johnny Polygon’s music has a pretty solid mix of pretty spaced out hip hop, electro and rock music production values paired with a nicely adaptable flow as an MC. As far as his singing goes, he does a pretty straight job sans autotune…kinda Pharrell-ish but lower on the octave scale." Last.fm describes Polygon as "an eclectic mix of indie skewed hip hop and world music. He walks to his own beat and stays left of what most perceive from the genre naturally." In March 2014, Melissa Pandika of OZY Media wrote Polygon is "Not quite R&B, not quite hip-hop, his style is hard to categorize, often labeled 'quirky' and 'out there' by critics."

Format: CD, digital Download

Released: November 30, 2019

Format: Digital download

Released: October 14, 2020

Format: Digital download

Released: October 30, 2022

Format: Digital download

Live albums + List of studio albums, with selected details and year released Title Album detailsJam in the Van Released: August 10, 2017

Format: Digital download

EPs + List of extended plays, with selected details and year released Title Album detailsJourney to I Released: 2001

Format: CDGroup Hug Released: May 12, 2009

Format: CD, digital downloadWolf in Cheap Clothing Released: December 15, 2010

Format: Digital download

Mixtapes + List of mixtapes, with selected details and year released Title Album detailsRebel Without Applause Released: February 14, 2010

Format: Digital downloadCatch-Up Released: November 17, 2010 2012 "Limosexsuperstar" Water Damage "Vacation Suicide" 2013 "You're Never Too Old to Die Young" 2014 "The Weather Report" "Tokyo Bang" 2015 "The Fall" I Love You, Goodnight. "Dead Meat" "Almost" 2017 "Sex and Drugs" 2016 "Meds" 2017

Guest appearances + List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Album Artist(s) "Melt My Heart to Stone (Remix)" 2008 Adele "Price on Your Head" Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City Invasion "Black President" Untitled Nas album Nas "Neon" 2009 Spandex, Rhymes & Soul Amanda Diva "Colorblind" Must Be Nice Jabee "NYDP" Pulse of the People: Turn Off the Radio Vol. 3 Dead Prez "Danger" 2011 The Where Is CH Process Charles Hamilton "Battle of the Century, Part I" The Extended Play EP T.J. Miller "Lemonade" 2012 Cisco Adler, Dirt Nasty, Yelawolf "Are You Not" 517 W Queen Tape THURZ "Training Wheels" 2014 Eat Tone "P.M.L." Cultural Concoction A.R.K. Noah "Hold Mannequin" King of the Void Slowriter "Chemical Romance" 2015 This Is Tully J Tully "Minivan (Remix)" Just a Taste ADDverse Effects

Videography As lead artist + List of music videos, showing year released and director Title Year Director(s) "Bag" 2004 Nathan Morse "That's You" 2010 Court Dunn "The Riot Song" Shellie Lewis, The Graphic Foundation, Philip Sportel "What Sadness" 2011 Johnny Polygon "Invincible" Tommaso Cardile "My Shit" 2012 "Limosexsuperstar" 2013 Austyn Jeffs "Purple Mess" Johnny Polygon & Jeremy Charles "The Fall" 2015

As featured artist + List of music videos, showing year released and director Title Year Director(s) "Neon"(Amanda Diva featuring Johnny Polygon) 2009 Lyn-don McCray "Are You Not"(THURZ featuring Johnny Polygon) 2012 Johnny Polygon

Filmography