In the kaleidoscopic world of music, 54 Ultra emerges as a beacon of sonic fusion, weaving synthy indie rock with a Latin soul heartbeat. Based out of New Jersey, 54 Ultra is the musical project of songwriter and producer JohnAnthony (Johnny) Rodriguez. Offering music that is both honest and melodic, with a charismatic stage presence to match, 54 Ultra is carving out a space uniquely his own, defined by a garage pop and soul sound.
Through a combination of interning in a New Jersey studio and self-teaching, Johnny built a solid foundation in music production before stepping into the spotlight with his own artist project. In early 2025, Johnny headed to Miami to work with Kali Uchis on her latest album, Sincerely, where he produced the track “All I Can Say.”
In 2024, he shared his debut single, “Where Are You,” which quickly gained traction online, introducing listeners to a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. A year later, he released his debut EP First Works, which Billboard named one of the Best Projects of the Year (So Far). The six-track collection features fan favorites like “Upside Down” and “No Tengo Valor”, and was followed by four sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles.
Most recently, 54 Ultra shared “I Won’t Go,” a Spanglish synth ballad that further showcases his ability to blend emotional depth with vibrant, genre-blurring soundscapes.
Just a little over a year after releasing his first single, it was announced that 54 Ultra will perform at Coachella 2026. Leading up to the festival, he will be opening for Kali Uchis at her San Jose show, embarking on a nearly sold-out North American tour, and playing his first European headline shows in London, Amsterdam, and Paris, before closing out the year with a performance at Festival Color Caribe in Puerto Rico.
