Tinashe, a groundbreaking pop artist, is reshaping success in the music industry. She shares insights on her evolution from the hit '2 On' to her latest track 'Nasty' and discusses her journey to independence after leaving her major label. Tinashe emphasizes the importance of a dedicated fanbase and maintaining artistic integrity in the competitive music landscape. She also reflects on her early career in film, working with Tom Hanks, and the connection between acting and music, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Tinashe's transition to independence allowed her to reclaim creative control and prioritize artistic authenticity over commercial success.
By breaking her music into a trilogy format, Tinashe enhances listener engagement while highlighting lesser-known tracks from her expansive collection.
Her collaboration style in songwriting, driven by chemistry with producers, fosters a dynamic creativity that defines her distinctive sound and fresh production.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Tinashe's Career
Tinashe transformed her career by transitioning from a major label to independence, emphasizing the greater creative control she gained through this move. Initially rising to fame with hit singles like '2 On,' she chose to deliberately release music that would resonate deeply with her dedicated fanbase rather than focusing solely on commercial success. By leaving her label in 2019, Tinashe wanted to avoid the compromises that often come with working in a larger system and to return to her artistic roots. This decision reflects an emerging trend among artists seeking to reclaim their narratives and financial independence in the music industry.
Crafting Music in Parts: The Quantum Baby Trilogy
Tinashe explains her innovative approach to music creation by breaking her projects into manageable parts, specifically the 'Quantum Baby' trilogy. She reflects on how this format allows listeners to better absorb her material, as releasing full-length albums can often lead to certain songs being overshadowed. Each part consisting of seven songs was crafted from a larger collection of around 50 tracks, showcasing her dedication to curating a unique listening experience. This method not only allows for thoughtful consumption but also helps celebrate lesser-known tracks that deserve attention.
Collaboration and Production Process
In her discussion about songwriting, Tinashe reveals her spur-of-the-moment collaboration style, often developing ideas with producers during sessions. She highlights the importance of chemistry with her collaborators, especially those like Ricky Reed, emphasizing the creative synergy that influences her sound. Many of her songs, such as the hit 'Nasty,' feature unique production choices that stem from spontaneous interactions in the studio. This dynamic process not only fuels her creativity but ensures that each project maintains a fresh and distinctive feel.
The Impact of DJing on Creative Output
Tinashe expresses how her experience as a DJ influences her artistry, specifically in understanding the effective use of BPM (beats per minute) to enhance her songs. This role allows her to experiment with different tempos and styles, ultimately shaping her songwriting approach by considering how tracks will resonate in a live setting. She brings her own music into her DJ sets, testing out new and unreleased material to gauge audience reactions in real-time. This interplay between DJing and music production fuels her creativity, helping to define her sound and performance style.
Balancing Personal Emotion and Artistic Expression
Throughout her career, Tinashe's personal experiences and emotions have remained at the forefront of her songwriting, reflecting her belief that authenticity is key to resonating with listeners. She acknowledges the balance between exaggerating feelings for artistic effect and staying true to her actual sentiments, often using her own romantic experiences as inspiration. By discussing bittersweet themes in songs, she manages to connect deeply with audiences while maintaining a joyful sound, enhancing the emotional complexity of her work. This strategy not only adds depth but also makes her music relatable, capturing the nuanced experiences of love and self-discovery.
Tinashe’s changing what success in pop music can look like. Back in 2014 her song "2 On" featuring Schoolboy Q hit big on Billboard. With major success looming, Tinashe released projects that missed the charts but gained her a strong, loyal fanbase. In 2019 she left her major label to go independent. And judging from her massive online following today, her fans have stuck behind her.
In April, she dropped the highly meme-able track "Nasty" that many are calling the song of the summer. “Nasty” comes from her album Quantum Baby, the second part in a trilogy of new albums.
Justin Richmond spoke to Tinashe from Amazon Studio 126 about her new albums and what it took to go independent. They also talk about her role in The Polar Express and working with Tom Hanks.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Tinashe songs HERE.
