Former 'Party Band' Ripe Are All Grown Up

The funk-pop group opens up about their Berklee beginnings, party-band roots, and why viral fame isn't the goal

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:05pm

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The American funk-pop band Ripe, known for their high-energy live shows, started out as a group of friends throwing parties off campus at Berklee College of Music. Over the past 14 years, the band has grown and evolved, now playing venues like Brooklyn's Paramount Theater and touring across the country. They'll be releasing the deluxe version of their 2025 studio album 'Play the Game' on March 27. The band members say their goal is not to chase viral moments, but to steadily grow their dedicated fanbase, which ranges from kids to grandparents.

Why it matters

Ripe's story highlights how a group of college friends with a passion for music can organically grow into a successful touring band, even without chasing viral fame. Their commitment to their craft and connection with their fans over the years has allowed them to build a sustainable career in the music industry.

The details

Ripe started out as a group of 'Berklee delinquents' who began playing music together socially. They quickly realized their jam sessions were special and decided to take the project more seriously, becoming a popular 'party band' playing shows in Boston basements. Within six months, they had an agent and started touring. Over the past decade, the band, which includes members Jon Becker, Calvin Barthel, Christian 'Yogi' St. Louis, Cade Gotthardt, and Sampson Hellerman, has evolved their sound, which they describe as 'a rock band with horns.' They now play larger venues and are preparing to release a deluxe version of their 2025 album.

  • Ripe formed at Berklee College of Music around 2012.
  • Six months after forming, the band had an agent and started touring.
  • Ripe will release the deluxe version of their 2025 album 'Play the Game' on March 27, 2026.

The players

Ripe

An American funk-pop band that started as a group of friends at Berklee College of Music and has grown into a successful touring act over the past 14 years.

Sampson Hellerman

The drummer for the band Ripe.

Robbie Wulfsohn

The lead singer of the band Ripe.

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What they’re saying

“We were all kind of Berklee delinquents.”

— Sampson Hellerman, Drummer (PEOPLE)

“Everything about this band has felt really organic from the beginning, and then it kind of took on a life of its own. We're all part of this bigger thing that sort of created itself.”

— Robbie Wulfsohn, Lead Singer (PEOPLE)

“We'll forever have our roots as a complete party band. The goal is to get people moving — physically engaged in what's happening.”

— Robbie Wulfsohn, Lead Singer (PEOPLE)

What’s next

Ripe will release the deluxe version of their 2025 studio album 'Play the Game' on March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

Ripe's story shows how a group of college friends with a passion for music can organically grow into a successful touring band without chasing viral fame. Their commitment to their craft and connection with their fans has allowed them to build a sustainable career in the music industry.