Chase Stebbins & The Only Known: Hip-Hop with Heart, Edge, and Intention
- Performers on the Go
- Jun 19
- 4 min read

Chase Stebbins and The Only Known released their summer single, “Take Care of Yourself”, on June 13, 2025, following five prior singles and two live recordings. The song was written by Chase Stebbins and Meghan Donofrio, with Elijah Norris composing the instrumentals and track beat in collaboration with the producer Brad Feeney.
Boston-based lyricist and performer Chase Stebbins is reshaping the boundaries of hip-hop through bold introspection, soulful production, and a fully live-band experience with his group, The Only Known. Together, they’ve created a lane that’s as emotionally raw as it is rhythmically electric, earning them back-to-back honors as Hip Hop Act of the Year at the New England Music Awards in 2023 and 2024. He was a live performer at performer at the 2024 New England Music Awards ceremony at Six String Grill and Bar in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Their sound lives at the intersection of electro-hip-hop, alt-soul, and live indie fusion—music that doesn’t just hit hard, but heals in the process. Stebbins’ lyrics often unravel complex mental and emotional threads, aiming for deeper connections to his messaging. Chase describes his sound as electro‑hip‑hop, a melding of electronic textures (sax, guitar, drums, bass and piano), hip‑hop rhythms, and soulful voices. The track featured the band's good friend Dan Smith on bass to elevate the song's vibe.
With his latest single “Take Care of Yourself”, Chase delivers what might be his most self-aware and poetic track yet. Every word matters, and the lyrics have clear intention to tug at you to listen and reflect inwardly. The chorus sets the tone with a reminder to confront the weight we carry: “We store it all away, go and cut them pockets ooh... You’re not feeling yourself? Around anyone else huh?”
It’s both a confession and a call to action—a moment of clarity amidst life’s chaos. The clever wordplay in “cut them pockets” acts as a metaphor for emotional release, encouraging listeners to drop the hidden burdens they carry.
In Verse 1, Stebbins taps into a more spiritual narrative:“I feel like everything’s a message / Your light stays embedded." The verse blends grief, memory, and transformation, showing his ability to process loss while reclaiming his identity in the present.
This single elevates his artistry with a mature, reflective sound, merging chill production with philosophical depth. It’s a meditation on identity, healing, and the resilience found in showing up and paying attention to yourself.
Chase resonated the most with the lyrics from Verse 2—a section that captures his personal journey through discipline, duality, and the long-overdue realization that self-care is essential, not optional.
You clocking on in while I’m dotting my I’s
It pays to be wise so I idolize minds
I been on both sides
Was stepping heavy
Self-care showing up secondary
What a time for us being alive
This verse reflects on maturity, balance, and the evolving understanding of self-care. Stebbins contrasts a structured, clock-in lifestyle with his own thoughtful, intentional approach (“dotting my I’s”). He highlights the value of wisdom, learned from experiencing life from different perspectives (“I been on both sides”). “Was stepping heavy”, shows he is freed of the burdens that were weighing him down. The line “Self-care showing up secondary” suggests past neglect of well-being in pursuit of ambition or survival. The verse expresses a sense of gratitude and awareness for the present moment—“What a time for us being alive”—underscoring the theme of conscious living.

A fan-favorite from his live set, “What’s the Use?” captures the pulse of the band’s live energy. Performed in collaboration with the Aldous Collins Band at Soundcheck Studios, the track is a sonic release of frustration and hope. Lyrically sharp and emotionally urgent, it’s a powerful example of how Stebbins brings live instrumentation into a hip-hop space without losing its raw edge. His style is both soothing and direct, crafted to stir a quiet discomfort that compels listeners to pause—not just move on—but reflect deeply on their own lives.
The tension in the song builds through gritty verses and dynamic musical transitions—showing why The Only Known’s live shows have become must-see events in the New England music circuit.
The band focuses seriously on live shows and has added many top stages to their performance resume including, Levitate Backyard where they opened for The Elovaters, Cisco Brewers/Seaport, Galley & Rivershed, New World Tavern, and Soundcheck Studios.
Chase Stebbins & The Only Known are not just delivering songs, but are creating sonic experiences rooted in honesty, healing, and creative innovation. Whether through the internal reckoning of “Take Care of Yourself” or the electrified urgency of “What’s the Use?”, Chase proves he’s not only a hip-hop artist to watch, but a voice for the moment.
The band is currently in the studio working on some new original music which will continue to be released throughout the summer.

“Chase Stebbins doesn’t just write songs, instead he opens windows into the soul, reminding us that self-awareness is a form of strength and healing starts with listening. “His passion for songwriting is unmistakable, drawing listeners in and leaving them with thoughts that linger long after the music fades and resonates with audiences who appreciate raw and honest self-expression." ~Performers On the Go
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