Public Enemy co-founder Chuck D and The Doors drummer John Densmore have officially joined forces as doPE, unveiling their debut collaboration with the track “every tick tick tick,” which has been named Record Store Day’s 2026 Song of the Year. The song appears on the duo’s forthcoming album, no country for old men, scheduled for release on April 18, 2026, to coincide with Record Store Day, via Org Music.
The album was recorded specifically for Record Store Day 2026 and will be released as a limited-edition oxblood transparent vinyl, housed in a deluxe gatefold package featuring original illustrations by Chuck D. According to the press announcement, no country for old men blends spoken word, rhythm-driven compositions, and social commentary, with “every tick tick tick” serving as the project’s central statement. The track was produced by David “C-Doc” Snyder, John Densmore, and JP Hesser, and reflects a shared sense of urgency and reflection rooted in both artists’ long-standing engagement with cultural and political issues.
The collaboration traces back to Record Store Day 2014, when Chuck D and Densmore met while participating in a panel at Amoeba Music Hollywood. Roughly a year later, Densmore received an email from Chuck D that read, “You’ve got the beats, I’ve got the rhymes, let’s make doPE.” The exchange led to an ongoing creative dialogue, including the development of the doPE name and logo, which merges visual elements associated with The Doors and Public Enemy. A key thematic phrase emerged early in the process when Densmore remarked, “Everybody gets older, but not everybody gets elder,” a line that helped shape the album’s broader focus on legacy, responsibility, and generational continuity.
John Densmore is the drummer for The Doors, one of the most commercially successful and critically influential rock bands of all time, with global album sales exceeding 100 million units. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, Densmore has since received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to his music career, he has worked extensively in theater, authored multiple books, and contributed essays to publications including Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The Nation, and the Los Angeles Times. His involvement in doPE extends beyond performance, with a direct role in shaping the album’s rhythmic and conceptual foundation.
Record Store Day, established to celebrate and support independent record stores, takes place annually and features exclusive releases, live performances, and in-store events worldwide. The organization is managed by the Department of Record Stores in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS) and the Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS). Record Store Day 2026 will be held on April 18, and the designation of “every tick tick tick” as Song of the Year reflects both artists’ long-standing relationship with physical media and independent retail culture. Notably, The Doors have released more Record Store Day exclusives than any other band, while Chuck D has consistently supported the event through appearances and advocacy.
The album no country for old men includes 12 tracks, featuring both standard and dub versions of the title song, and positions doPE as a cross-generational project rooted in spoken-word traditions, rhythm-forward production, and social reflection. Additional details about Record Store Day 2026 releases and participating stores are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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