Hobo Johnson: Rapper, Poet, and DIY Wonder from California at Pohoda 2025
From performing on the streets of Sacramento to selling out shows across the globe, modern poet Hobo Johnson will “tell” you about his incredible journey at Pohoda 2025.
04. December 2024
The story began around 2010, when a 19-year-old named Frank Lopes was kicked out of his parents’ house. The streets of Sacramento and a 1994 Toyota Corolla, where he spent his nights, became his new home. Somewhere in that journey, the nickname Hobo Johnson was born, along with the title of his debut album, Hobo Johnsons 94 Corolla.
A turning point came with a viral live video for the song Peach Scone, filmed in his backyard with his band The LoveMakers. This video was their entry into NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. Although they didn’t win, it racked up millions of views—and likely just as many new fans.
More of a storyteller than a conventional rapper, or perhaps a rapper-poet, Hobo Johnson is celebrated for his raw honesty and a “do-it-yourself” approach to music. His lyrics tackle topics such as emotions, relationships, love, and mental health, all delivered with his unique humour.
He has five albums under his belt, concerts around the globe, countless glowing reviews, millions of views and streams, and coming up... a performance at Pohoda 2025.
"With his raw airiness, Hobo Johnson commands every inch of the space in which he figures - whether it's a basement club, a festival stage, or an Instagram reel. If I want to catch anything at Pohoda, it's absolutely his gig!," says Majo Tesák, Pohoda festival's project manager.