Tinashe

What “Making Art” really means to you?

For me making art is natural, second nature, instinctual. Art is a literal manifestation of my inner world made beautiful, and doubles as therapy, expression, and cathartic release. Being an artist is a lifestyle.

Thank you for bringing Chaka Khan’s – “I’m Every Woman” from 1978 into 2021 and into new generation. How did you come across this project? 

I was asked to sing a cover song by ESPN and Disney for their Black History Month, “Music for the Movement” EP. I was very excited to be apart of the project first and foremost because it aligns with my activism but also because the record is soooooo iconic and means so much to so many generations of women.

The 1978 debut of “I’m Every Woman” came in a post-civil rights movement. What this song represents to you in 2021?

“I’m Every Woman” continuously feels relevant. As a black woman in 2021 we are experiencing our own mini post civil rights movement after a year of BLM protests and a highly charged election. While we have made many steps forward in the world in terms of progress as women, especially black women, I hope to continue to inspire, uplift, and motivate through art that celebrates joy and black excellence. This song is the perfect embodiment of those things.

You fluently move between music styles, are you looking into styles you haven’t tried yet?

I am, and I look forward to experimenting with even more sonic textures in the future.

Do you have any upcoming collaborations what you would like to share with us?

I don’t want to give any away yet for my new project specifically, Ive done a great job at keeping the details surrounding my new work very mysterious so far, haha. But I am excited about some of the collabs I have dropping this April with Cheat Codes and Shift K3y— theyre both very fun songs with lots of energy.

What would be your perfect playlist?

My perfect playlist changes with my mood. This year I only want to listen to happy songs that make me want to dance. The depressive era is over (for now).

Can you list your influences that made you a creative person?

Janet Jackson is my Queen.

Are you planning to come back to the film/tv?

I would love to but am looking for the perfect opportunity to make that transition. I feel like I have unlimited time in my life/career to pivot my focus to acting.

We are living through difficult pandemic times. How do you stay in touch with your friends and loved ones?

Luckily for me my parents house is only 20 minutes away from my house, so I see my parents and brother almost every day. I drive over in the afternoons and we walk the family dogs and have dinner together. That has really really really made the pandemic a lot more tolerable for me as I am really close with my family and my touring lifestyle completely stopped. My friendships have nooooot thrived, I will be honest, as my focus has been creating new music and spending most of my time with my family or myself.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love making things so most of my hobbies involve art in some way: painting, cooking, pottery making. My other hobbies include hiking and playing video games.

If you could go back to any point in your life, would you change anything or advise your younger self?

I would advise myself to be patient and enjoy the entire journey. Early in my career I was focused so much on growth and was so busy doing press and stuff that it sometimes feels like I didn’t even fully process what was happening to me. While there’s career choices I would make differently knowing what I know now, I didn’t learn the things I’ve learned about the music business without the experiences that I have had so I wouldn’t necessarily change those. Im thankful for all of the downs, and look forward to more Ups.