Boston-based rapper Michael Christmas has announced details of his forthcoming album Role Model, set for release June 22 on his new label home Fool's Gold. The announcement arrives on the heels of the album's debut single "Girlfriend," released earlier this month via a music video co-starring comedians Orlando Jones and Ron Funches. The characteristically hilarious and jubilant clip made clear the ambitious strides Christmas has made with his visual and musical presentation since 2016's acclaimed Baggy Eyes EP. "Essentially what this album is capturing is me trying to teach the kids (which I use my sisters as the vessel for) how I maneuver through the craziness we see everyday," states Christmas. "I had been questioning for a long time whether I'm a good role model or not and came to the conclusion that I am a piece of shit... but who better to lead the kids through this piece of shit world than me? So I made an album talking about the way I see things and my life as of late while having my sisters watch me and pick up on these things themselves."

Born and raised in Boston, the 24-year-old rapper broke into the national hip-hop scene in early 2014 with the arrival of his debut mixtape Is This Art? The project's rapturous response landed him as direct support on back-to-back tours with Logic and Mac Miller, which was followed in 2015 by his sophomore project What a Weird Day. The album drew widespread critical acclaim from the likes of Fader, VICE, XXL, MTV (who dubbed him "your favorite every-dude rapper"), amongst many others. Christmas has been a consistent presence on the live circuit ever since, highlighted by a standout performance at Lollapalooza in 2017, the opening slot on What So Not's sold-out US tour, and guest appearances on Fool's Gold DAY OFF shows that teased his signing to the beloved Brooklyn indie label. Christmas has honed his lyrical talents and immensely charismatic presentation on the road, and channeled it all in the studio while taking the time to perfect Role Model.

"One of rap's most promising class clowns." - PITCHFORK

"As famous for his sense of humor as he is his deft rhyme technique" - XXL