Self-styled “indie electronic” producer ayokay landed a deal with Columbia Records after “Kings of Summer,” a 2016 collaboration with his longtime friend Quin XCII, became a popular baseball walk-up song. • Ayokay is the alias Alex O’Neill, a native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He grew up with Quinn XCII, aka Mike Temrowski. The childhood friends began making music together in high school. • They continued their creative partnership in college, even though they attended different Michigan universities. • “Kings of Summer,” featuring vocals from Quinn XCII, was aokay’s first single. It became the walk-up song for Texas Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond. The tune’s popularity at the ballpark helped to earn aokay and Quin XCII record deals. • In 2019, “Kings of Summer” was certified gold. • Ayokay produced Quinn XCII's gold-certified 2015 single “Another Day in Paradise,” off Quinn’s self-released Change of Scenery EP. • Quinn XCII guests on “Queen,” from ayokay’s 2018 debut, In the Shape of a Dream.