A love child of classic hip-hop and neo-soul, Transitions and Transformations marks the official full-length debut album of Buffalo-born, Brooklyn-refined, LA-based DJ/producer/remixer DJ Kevlar, né Kevin Polowy. Transitions and Transformations is now available at all DSPs.
The album costars a formidable supporting cast, with features from Open Mike Eagle, Ché Noir, Abstract Rude (Project Blowed), Eligh (Living Legends), Von Pea (Tanya Morgan), ScienZe, sahn, C-Red, JazzZ, Sam Sellers, Wavy Bagels, and more.
A concept album at its core, Transitions and Transformations is a deeply personal work from Polowy, inspired by a tumultuous three-year stretch in the artist’s life that included a seismic career shift, a divorce, and the deaths of several close friends. The album explores themes of hope, heartbreak, loss, and ultimately, the sacrifices we’re willing to make in the pursuit of peace, happiness and realizing our dreams.
Rooted in Golden Era boom bap, DJ Kevlar’s eclectic production recalls the seminal genre-bending work of iconic beatmakers like DJ Shadow, RJD2 and DJ Vadim, while incorporating heavy global influences, with touches of Jamaican, Latin and Afro-Brazilian stylings — not to mention Polowy’s memorable nods to his own immigrant ancestry with “Half-Irish Folk Song” and “Half-Polish Folk Song.” The album also features live instrumentation from virtuosos Cory Padin (aka “CheekyCp”) and Eric Biondo (Antibalas).
The album kicks off with an intro from acclaimed British actor Chiké Okonkwo that spoofs the performer’s prolific work on the popular Calm app. From there, the piano-driven, Beenie Man-sampling downtempo joint “Romie Wasn’t Built In A Day” sets the mood before the empowering head-nodders “Transitions and Transformations” (featuring verses from Abstract Rude and ScienZe and a powerful hook from JazzZ) and “Belief” (featuring Eligh at the height of his sing-songy prowess) lock in an undeniably uplifting vibe.
The Von Pea-featuring “Prospect Park” is both a tribute to the borough of Brooklyn and a meditation on New York City’s standing as the ultimate land of opportunity, while “Our Year” finds Sam Sellers (aka the artist formerly known as Rabbi Darkside) simultaneously reminiscing on youth and imagining triumphs in life, artistry and sports as Kevlar’s fellow Buffalo native and tortured Bills and Sabres fan.
Kevlar brings together a dream team of collaborators on “Felt That,” with Open Mike Eagle and Ché Noir reflecting on loves lost and the microaggressions that stick in our minds for an exceedingly long time. sahn (aka Simone Ledward Boseman) teams with #WhiteCoatWednesday IG sensation C-Red for the stirring soul ballad “Choices,” while Canadian rapper Odario (Grand Analog) and vocalist Chad Price team for the dubby, guitar-driven “Lessons.” And Buffalo emcees Twistello and Supa Kaliente join Brooklyn multihyphenate Wavy Bagels for the infectious, reggae-driven backyard barbecue anthem “Weed, Wings & Beer.”
Nigerian songstress JazzZ holds down two solo tracks: the wistful love song “Ya Hey” (previously released on Old Soul Music in 2025) and the darker, reflective “Venom,” with a sound reminiscent of neo-soul queens Erykah Badu and Macy Gray.
Rounding out the project are Kevlar’s instrumental grooves — from the irresistibly feel-good strums of “Hanging in There” to the funky bassline of “Keep Bouncing” to the heartfelt tribute to lost friends “Big Ups (Brothers In Heaven)” to the evocative breakup song “Parting Ways” — building to a bouncy, percussive climax with a remix of Dub Sonata’s Brazilian-flavored “Happiness.”
Transitions and Transformations is now available at all DSPs.
You can now Purchase, Stream, Add & Favorite Transitions and Transformations at your preferred DSP: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/djkevlar1/transitions–transformations
Transitions and Transformations TRACK LISTING:
1. Intro feat. Chiké Okonkwo
2. Romie Wasn’t Built In A Day
3. Transitions & Transformations feat. Abstract Rude, ScienZe & JazzZ
4. Belief feat. Eligh
5. Hanging In There
6. Ya Hey feat. JazzZ
7. Prospect Park feat. Von Pea
8. Keep Bouncing
9. Our Year feat. Sam Sellers
10. Half-Irish Folk Song
11. Felt That feat. Open Mike Eagle, Ché Noir & Wavy Bagels
12. Choices feat. sahn & C-Red
13. Weed, Wings & Beer feat. Twistello, Supa Kaliente & Wavy Bagels
14. Half-Polish Folk Song
15. Big Ups (Brothers in Heaven)
16. Venom feat. JazzZ
17. Lessons feat. Odario & Chad Price
18. Parting Ways
19. Happiness (Remix) feat. Dub Sonata
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