After a four-year hiatus from music, Joey LaBeija is back. The New York-based artist (and lowkey legend) returns today with “less than three,” his first release since 2020’s enemies of progress EP, which featured underground smashes like “unavailable” and “cuffin szn.” While his signature pitched-down vocals are out in full force again, LaBeija arrives this time with newfound confidence, now striving for real authenticity in all his work.

It’s fitting then that “less than three” is a breakup song, only LaBeija says he’s breaking up with the version of himself he no longer wants to be — not a significant other. “Purging is not a linear process,” he wrote on Instagram, announcing this comeback. “Why not find beauty in the pain of letting go of the person you were to become the person you’re destined to be?”

The Chandler Clemens-directed music video, premiering today on PAPER, brings this personal vision to life. “I don’t wanna be another one of your little hoes,” he sings, looking directly into the camera, as if talking to his reflection in the mirror. “But kiss me one more time, because we’re moving on.” A devilish extra is featured throughout the film, seducing and tempting LaBeija, who wrestles with the push-pull process of finally shedding what no longer serves him.

Below, PAPER catches up with Joey LaBeija to talk more about “less than three,” written, produced and performed entirely by himself. “I am no longer chasing perfection,” he says, teasing a 2025 full of new music.

You’ve taken some time away from releasing music. Why the pause and what have you been up to?

Truthfully, I thought I had gotten over the unfortunate experience of my record deal not working out in 2020, but I wasn’t. I grew callous and bitter. My relationship with my art was not in a good place and I knew in order to salvage it, I needed to step away. The longer I went without making music the more I felt incomplete, like there was a hole in my heart. I knew in order to move forward, I had to take my inventory, change my perspective on life and let go of my resentments. It’s something you must actively work towards every day. Healing is no one and done. Shadow work is real.

Over the course of these four years, it dawned on me that I’d actually never had a longterm vision for myself, artistically speaking, because it all happened so organically. I never intended to start making music, I’ve learned everything I know on my own. Making music just happened to be a natural progression from DJing, chasing the burning desire to express myself as one does in their twenties. One day while working in my studio, I decided to hop on the microphone that I used for recording my friends, showed them what I made and they all told me to lean into it.

Once I started putting music out, I had a vision of how I wanted to present myself, but I never thought about building a world for myself to exist in, nor did I have the means to bring what little vision I did have into fruition. Everything I released was based on pure emotion, and while that’s beautiful, it’s not sustainable for the long haul. These last four years have really pushed me to hone in on what exactly I want to present to the world, and at the end of the day, that’s authenticity.

What did you learn about yourself, and about music, during the time away?

I’ve learned to give myself grace and prioritize my feelings over everything. There is nothing more that I love than alone time in my studio, hiding away from the world. It’s become my safe space again. All the constructs I ever conjured up about my skills or taste have magically dissipated, and being in the studio is fun again.

How would you say you are approaching music now?

I’m no longer chasing perfection and enjoying being experimental. They say perfection is the killer of creativity and that’s pretty much my mantra these days. For a while I was chasing what I did on enemies of progress, especially “unavailable,” because I knew it resonated with a lot of people, but nothing I made felt genuine. My approach now comes from a place of curiosity and exploration. The best songs I’ve made, past or present, are all products of happy mistakes.

Lyrically, what’s the story behind “less than three”?

When I wrote this song, I was still in the very early stages of getting back into making music. Everything I made felt inauthentic, like trash, or like I was reaching for a sound that felt safe but no longer resonated with my desire to grow. My brain was a dangerous neighborhood and I would think the worst of what I was creating until one night I realized… If I heard someone talking about a loved one the way I was thinking about myself, I would beat the shit out of them. That moment changed everything almost instantly, my aha moment. It was a liberating conversation with myself and I thought it would be healing to make a breakup song to the person I no longer wanted to be. It most definitely was.

What was the thought going into the video, bringing this track to life? How’d you work collaboratively with the director, Chandler Clemens?

The video was originally meant to reference Nickleback’s “This Is How You Remind Me,” but it’s turned into a personal and beautiful story about growing pains, strength, vulnerability and the never-ending battle moving on from something toxic. On set, I could not stop crying once the room was cleared and the cameras were rolling because I genuinely never thought I would see the day where I’d be producing, directing and financially backing my own music video. Dreams are expensive and in that moment, every L that I took over the last four years felt like a fucking win.

Working with Chandler on this edit has been one of the most beautiful creative experiences I could ask for and I am so beyond thankful for the friendship we have built through this. He’s brought this video to a level that moves me to tears because it captures the essence of the chaos I’ve been through to get here today. May I just add, in a day and age where everything is made to be easily digestible content, deciding to present myself in such a vulnerable manner was not an easy decision, but I’m happy I followed my instinct because this story is something everyone can connect or relate to.

What do you see 2025 looking like for you?

Well, I’m happy to say that I have a ton of music coming out this coming year and it sounds nothing like anything I’ve ever made before. I hope you bitches are ready to dance. Chandler, Jordan and I are having so much fun creating a place for all of this music to exist in and we are already working on the next video, set to come out this February. This is the last sad song you’ll get out of me for a while so, consider this song an ode to my past and a warm embrace to my future.

My approach now comes from a place of curiosity and exploration. The best songs I’ve made, past or present, are all products of happy mistakes.

Photography: Eric Johnson

Styling: Jordan Figueroa

Makeup: Joshua Hilario