In ‘Quantum Baby’, the second part of a planned trilogy following her 2023 album ‘BB/Ang3l’, Tinashe's long-term independent aspirations began to bear fruit. By combining expansive electronic sounds with her signature pixelated prog-RnB style, which she has developed since her debut ‘Aquarius’, the Kentucky-born artist tapped into current dance trends while maintaining her unique blend of coolness.
In a continuous state of flow, Tinashe transforms brief interactions on the dancefloor into meaningful experiences, and these spontaneous moments are amplified in her Match My Freak: World Tour – a high-energy escapist performance.
Just days before her tour resumes with a special show at Brixton Academy in London, CLASH managed to catch Tinashe for a brief conversation. The ‘Nasty’ singer shared her insights on the live performance experience, the realities of independence in the industry, her exciting collaboration with Charli XCX, and what this year holds for a musician continually pushing her sound forward.
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First off, Happy Birthday! I hope this year has been and continues to be rewarding for you.
Thank you! It was great. I spent most of the day traveling, but it was still nice.
Have you been taking time to recharge ahead of the European part of your tour? I noticed you were in Indonesia recently…
That was wonderful. Yes, I took a few days to rest and recuperate. I often don’t value rest enough in my career, so I made it a priority to take a couple of weeks for myself before diving back into touring.
2025 is upon us. What vibe are you channeling? Do you make lists? What are some of your goals for this year?
I don’t typically set a lot of new goals at the start of the year. I always keep my existing goals in mind while re-evaluating certain aspects of my music and career. This year, I’m not aiming for anything drastically new, but I do want to keep growing, experimenting, traveling, and allowing things to unfold naturally.
Your career serves as an example of artistic independence and what can be accomplished without a major label’s backing, particularly with the release of ‘Quantum Baby’. You are redefining success. Would you recommend this path to emerging musicians who want to uphold their artistic integrity?
Generally, yes, but I would advise caution. There remains significant gatekeeping with major labels, making it tougher for independent artists in those spaces. Securing funding for yourself and your team is always a challenge. However, being free to create the music that resonates with you and express yourself authentically, without conforming to someone else's vision, ideally sets you up for a sustainable career. It’s a sensible approach within the entertainment industry, but it also isn’t easy. You have to be fully committed.
‘Quantum Baby’ was released in August of last year. It effectively showcased your dedication to electronic music while maintaining that core of future RnB. Nearly six months later, what part of the album fills you with the most pride?
It confirmed for me that I’m heading in the right direction. I was taking musical risks as an independent artist, and it felt like those risks were paying off. It reassured me that it’s okay to be unique. It was really a project of affirmations.
The album features one of your biggest recent hits, ‘Nasty’. Did you perceive it as a game-changer, or were you cautious of the fleeting nature of viral hits?
I feel it was a mix of both. I knew that viral moments are often short-lived, so I aimed to capitalize on the moment. At the same time, you have to be prepared for what comes next after those viral hits. I was ready — I had the album lined up, follow-up singles, content ready, and performances planned. You must be prepared to keep maximizing that moment. I had everything in place.
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On ‘Quantum Baby’, you collaborated with notable producers like Nosaj Thing, Machinedrum, and Billy Lemos — all known for their experimental sounds. What did these producers draw out of you?
Collaborating with artists and producers who are exceptionally creative is key. They’re willing to take risks and innovate, which they embody in their work. Generally, when I start working on an album, I’m open to collaborating with many different people and exploring various directions. This time around, there was a lot of positive synergy with my collaborators.
The Match My Freak: World Tour arrives in the UK this week. How does this show differ from your previous tours? Does it signify your growth as a performer?
In these performances, I exhibit more poise and control. It’s high-energy, but it also weaves in narrative elements and storytelling. I’m excited for fans to experience a slightly different version of the shows we’ve done in the past. This time, I have four male dancers with me, which
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In "Quantum Baby," the second part of a intended trilogy that follows the 2023 album "BB/Ang3l," Tinashe's strategic approach and independent aspirations took off.