Gyalgebra, the new mixtape by Major Lazer was released on November 21. It is Major Lazer’s first self-contained music project in five years and its first release with new, British Jamaican vocalist America Foster.

The project’s nine tracks were recorded between Jamaica, where Diplo and co-founder Switch originally formed Major Lazer in 2008, and Miami, homebase of Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire and Ape Drums.

Two of the songs from the mixtape have made international charts thus far. Gangsta which also features dancehall artiste Busy Signal, peaked at #13 on Germany’s Urban R&B/Hip-Hop chart a few weeks ago, while Bruck Down which features America Foster, is currently #17 on the chart.

Major Lazer will celebrate the release of the Gyalgebra mixtape with a Miami Art Week block party benefiting Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica on Thursday, December 4.  It takes place from 6pm to 2am in the parking lot at Coyo Taco, 2320 NW 2nd Avenue in Wynwood, with all proceeds from ticket sales and merchandise going towards the American Friends of Jamaica and global crisis response organisation CORE’s Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica.

It will also feature live sets from Major Lazer Sound System along with special guests and friends of Major Lazer including Miami legend DJ Chipman — featured on Gyalgebra standout “Jump & Twist” — and Silent Addy, founder of Miami dancehall institution Bashment and producer of Moliy’s “Shake It To The Max.”

Gyalgebra was released on November 21

While plans had been in place for months to celebrate the release of Gyalgebra with a Miami Art Week block party, Hurricane Melissa and its devastating impact on Jamaica inspired the group to take action. Diplo visited Treasure Beach in the hard-hit parish of St Elizabeth this month with volunteers from CORE and the St Elizabeth-based BREDS Foundation, delivering food and water to families affected by the storm, and witnessing the devastation first-hand.

“Jamaica has been at the heart of everything for me,” Diplo said in a release sent to Observer Online.  “It’s shaped who I am and how I see the world. Even now, after so much loss, that same energy still shines. Seeing the destruction from Hurricane Melissa has been horrible. Entire communities are rebuilding from nothing, and they need our help.”

Gyalgebra kicks off Major Lazer’s highly-anticipated new chapter with the official debut of Major Lazer “First Lady” America Foster featuring on five tracks including lead single “BRUK DOWN” (alongside Parris Goebel and SadBoi) and the ‘90s dancehall-inspired solo showcase “Peppa Pot.”

Among the collaborators on Gyalgebra are Dominican, Tokischa, DJ Chipman, Toronto’s SadBoi, New Zealand-born choreographer-turned-artist Parris Goebel, Jamaican dancehall artiste Busy Signal, Trinidad & Tobago soca legend Bunji Garlin, zess queen Lady Lava and Amsterdam-based DJ/producer Kybba.