JOSH RAFF
is a lyricist, writer, rapper, and performer in NYC by way of Philadelphia. As frontman and co-founder of hip hop/pop collective, Pants Velour, from 2006-2016, he performed at such venues as Bowery Ballroom, Brooklyn Bowl, Joe’s Pub, and Music Hall of Williamsburg. He co-wrote and starred in multiple NYC TV commercials with video views in the millions. His first one-man stage performance, The Reverend JEAU’s Revival, spanned 5-months in NYC and Los Angeles. His next, Love/Love, was his most personal endeavor and performed seven sold-out nights off-broadway. Most recently, Josh wrote and produced a short film, Man Down, about living at home with his parents during COVID-19. The film premiered at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute in October, 2021 and has been selected as an award winner in multiple festivals.
PREVIOUS WORK
THE REVEREND JEAU’S REVIVAL
A one-man musical brought to you by the church of the lost… and found
Welcome! I am the Rev. Dr. JEAU. You know I was once just like you: lost...lonely...unloveable...high on a cocktail of drugs snorted off unsavory women and sending somewhat unsolicited pictures of my penis to great grandmothers at Panamanian nursing homes. But through a great epiphany I was saved! Just as you will be, by donating $10,000 to my church - a priceless endeavor - and the first step on a most righteous path to self actualization and self love. Join me...and together we will be found!
“Inexplicably my pontifications of aggravation did not convince anyone and they told me that I had to go to a rehabilitation facility and leave New York entirely. So I did the only thing a man in my position could do. I became a fur trapper along the appalachian trail. I sold my crack pipe for a double barrel shotgun and traded in the sounds of the city for the call of the wild.”
“You have contributed $10,000 to my 1-800 Hotline and you have taken the first step a most righteous path. By the end of tonight I guarantee that each and every one of you will have an awakening of self forgiveness, self actualization, and most importantly: self love.”
PANTS VELOUR
irreverent hip-hop collective
Pants Velour is a hip-hop group from New York City. Pants Velour recorded for Tommy Boy Entertainment. Pants Velour has played shows in NYC, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, PA alongside Mobb Deep, Dru Hill, Magic!, and members of Black Sheep, A Tribe Called Quest, and Naughty By Nature. In 2012, Dial 7 Car and Limousine featured Pants Velour in a popular ad campaign. Josh Raff is one of the founding members and lead MC.