The man playing the keys for your favorite Bay Area artists just dropped his second solo album.

Producer and recording artist Hokage Simon has worked with the likes of G-Eazy, P-Lo, and Rexx Life Raj. Slingshot straight from the Doozyverse, Hokage Simon is making waves as one of Vallejo’s most exciting artists to watch.

In backstage breaks between rehearsals for his upcoming show, Simon said his second solo album, “Neon Noir,” captures his inner feelings through his own battle with cancer. The album was released on the one-year anniversary of Simon being 100% cancer-free.

“Most of these records were created during my headspace under those conditions,” said Simon. “Freeing this music is my own form of closure. I feel like the vulnerability through it all helped me to make what I feel is some of my best work to date.”

Simon Ajero, born and raised in Vallejo, remembers a childhood filled with music.

Growing up in a Filipino household, he listened to jazz music and started taking piano lessons by age 5. He had a natural passion for music from a young age. The first beats he made were for his friends in high school. Simon and his friends began taking music more seriously after graduating, becoming writers, producers, and musicians.

Their friend group would pursue solo projects while supporting each other and became the creative collective, Doozyverse. Simon feels blessed to have cool friends.

“It’s cool because it’s like we’re a support system where we all know we’re all trying to make the next person better,” he said.

His latest project is a roller coaster filled with optimistic and alternative vibes. Speaking toward Simon’s talent on the keys, “Neon Noir” is packed full of jazzy electronic beats and synth keyboard stylings, particularly on tracks “ASTRAL PROJECT” AND “MELØN.” Other songs like “GOTH GF” also experiment with more alternative rhythms. The album has great features from Doozyverse members Thomas Jordan, Zach Martin and Tyler Lauren. On all streaming platforms, “Neon Noir” sits comfortably with seven songs in 20 minutes.

Simon wears his heart on his sleeves and feels ready to share his art with the world. In August, Simon performed live at the Neon Noir release party for the Moxie Hotel in Oakland, with musical features by Doozyverse members Marcel Angelo, Future James and Lauren.

As an artist and producer, Simon is a raw Vallejo talent that you should be looking out for on the record charts.