Tunde Adebimpe, the multifaceted lead singer of TV On The Radio, discusses his latest solo project, Thee Black Boltz. He reflects on how engaging in diverse creative pursuits keeps his sanity intact. Tunde shares amusing stories from his days as a stop-motion artist and elaborates on the emotional rollercoaster of releasing new music. He speaks on the power of creativity in navigating grief and how fleeting cultural moments shape artistic expression, making his insights both profound and relatable.
Tunde Adebimpe highlights the therapeutic nature of creative projects, emphasizing how they help maintain his mental well-being and sanity.
The profound impact of personal loss on Adebimpe's creativity is illustrated through his tribute song 'ILY' dedicated to his late sister.
Adebimpe reflects on how integrating modern technology into music production has transformed his creative process while valuing collaboration with skilled producers.
Deep dives
The Duality of Creative Pursuits
Tunde Arabimpe describes his extensive creative journey, highlighting his various artistic roles, including cartoonist, painter, actor, and musician. His latest solo project, The Black Bolts, showcases his continued evolution as an artist. While working on this project, he collaborated with long-time friend Wilder Zobi, blending their artistic visions and experiences. Arabimpe emphasizes the importance of engaging deeply with creative endeavors to maintain mental well-being and sanity.
Navigating Loss and Inspiration
The podcast touches on the profound impact of personal loss on Arabimpe's creative process, particularly following the sudden passing of his sister. He shares how this event initially halted his motivation to create, leading him to take time for reflection and healing. In recognizing his sister as a significant source of inspiration, he channels this experience into his music. The song 'ILY' from The Black Bolts is a tribute to her, illustrating the power of art in processing grief.
Evolving Artistic Techniques
Arabimpe explains how his approach to music creation has shifted over the years, particularly with the integration of modern technology like Ableton software. He describes learning to produce music and how it allowed him to independently develop ideas without waiting for collaboration with his band, TV on the Radio. This newfound technical knowledge has helped him refine his creative processes, although he acknowledges that working with skilled producers remains essential. His reliance on sketches and demos illustrates a return to basic principles of music-making.
The Concept of the Album Title
The title, 'The Black Bolts,' emerges from Arabimpe's freewriting exercises and reflects a central theme of illumination amid darkness. He associates lightning with moments of inspiration that can arise even during difficult times, suggesting that creativity can shine a light on challenging experiences. Arabimpe articulates that these sparks of creativity serve to remind him of the beauty and complexity in life's struggles. The concept ties back to the therapeutic nature of songwriting, offering solace and clarity in turbulent times.
Reflections on Industry Trends
Arabimpe discusses the current music industry's landscape and his perspective on the notion of 'indie sleaze,' admitting that he feels TV on the Radio might not fit this label. He reflects on previous musical movements, noting that many feel fleeting and situational rather than lasting trends. The discussion prompts considerations of artistic authenticity and evolution, particularly in the context of newer generations perceiving past musical styles. Overall, he appreciates the creative freedom and community spirit that flourished during his earlier years, even as he recognizes how those moments might be romanticized over time.
Tunde Adebimpe is a creative powerhouse. He's a cartoonist, a painter, a director, a Hollywood actor, and for the past 20 years, he’s been the lead singer of the band TV On The Radio. His latest offering—another of his many artistic pursuits—is a solo project called Thee Black Boltz.
Tunde began writing these songs back in 2019. And after a stint composing music for the PBS Kids show “City Island” with producer Wilder Zoby, the two decided to set their sights on Tunde’s growing collection of solo songs. Both Jaleel Bunton and Jahphet Landis of TV On The Radio also contributed to the album, which sounds every bit as fresh and thrilling as Tunde’s past work.
On today’s episode Leah Rose talks to Tunde Adebimpe about how staying steeped in creative projects keeps him sane. He also recalls his days working as a stop-motion artist on MTV’s Celebrity Death Match, and why he thinks TV On The Radio isn’t cool enough to be considered “indie sleaze.”
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Tunde Adebimpe HERE.
