SiNce 2001, Dirty Heads have mixed hip-hop, reggae, and rock to create a unique sound that both fully embodies their Southern California roots and resonates with audiences around the globe. 

The group formed when punk rocker Dustin Bushnell (aka Duddy B) asked his friend, rapper Jared Watson (aka Dirty J), to collaborate on a project that would focus on positive vibes and infectious grooves. Watson added singing to his vocal skills, and later with percussionist Jon Olazabal, drummer Matt Ochoa, and bassist Dave Foral, Dirty Heads began building an immense audience. 

In 2008, Dirty Heads released their acclaimed album Any Port in a Storm, with a deluxe edition following in 2010. The deluxe version featured the track "Lay Me Down" with special guest Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome. The song reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs in May 2010, and nine weeks later it established a record as the song with the longest stint atop the chart for an independently released title.

The band’s global appeal reached new heights in 2021, when their hit “Vacation” (originally released in 2017) garnered over six billion views and streams across social media via the ubiquitous #VacationTransition challenge that originated organically with users on TikTok.

In 2023 Dirty Heads released the digital deluxe version of their album Midnight Control, featuring 23 tracks including acoustic versions of hit songs “Rescue Me,”“Life’s Been Good,” and “Island Glow,” Lo-Fi versions of 3 album tracks, 3 unreleased songs, and more. Featured artists include Monsieur Periné, Ivy Miller (Ivuss), and Alex Vince.

Later that summer, Dirty Heads performed their Top 5 hits “Life’s Been Good” and “Rescue Me” on the Today Show. Before the performance, Hosts Hoda & Jenna presented the band with a RIAA platinum plaque for their hit “Vacation,” acknowledging sales of more than 1 million digital downloads since its release BY BETTER NOISE MUSIC.

Now in 2026, Dirty Heads have released their 9th studio album, 7 Seas.