Jarreau – This is Jarreau from HipHopVancouver.com. I have a special guest all the way from California by way of Kentucky. Young lady, can you please tell us your name and who you are?
Tinashe – My name is Tinashe. I am an artist and musician from LA. I just put out my first single called ‘2 On’ and I’m just about ready to come out! So please support.
J – So, for someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe it?
T – I think my music is kind of like a new version of RnB. I don’t think it is what you would consider your classic RnB. But it’s definitely a take on that. There is some influence there. But, there is more HipHop influence. There is more Pop influence and Alternative influence. And I think that this year in music especially, people are using a lot from other genres. So it’s nice to take to be able to take inspiration from different genres and I put it together.
J – Most definitely. So while you talk about inspiration, does anyone specifically inspire you or any specific genre inspire you the most?
T – Like I said I think growing up I listened to a lot of 90’s RnB. So I was probably listening to a lot of Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Sade. So they were probably some of my favorite inspiration musically just as a kid. And Christina Aguilera was a big vocal inspiration for me too growing up.
J – Thats cool! My favorite song of yours is ‘Vulnerable’ feat. Travis $cott. What inspired that song?
T – I guess it’s a pretty good song. I have worked with Boi-1da in the past. He is just one of my favorite producers. I think he is super dope. So I wanted to do another song with him. We had worked last year when I was out in Canada. So he sent me a couple new beats and he sent me the beat for that track and I just thought it sounded awesome and it was really dope. And it made me feel really sexy and mysterious and dark. So I wanted to write a song that gave across that same feel. So it just kind of came out that way. I just put myself in a mind state of trying to seduce someone and making them feel vulnerable and just wrote the song from there.
J – Yes ma’am! Speaking of Toronto’s Boi-1da, how did you guys link up?
T – Well, like I said he was just one of my *Inaudible*…. A little while ago I think I told my label a list of my top people that I wanted to work with and he was one of the people at the top of my list. So when I first started working on my album they did the introduction and then from there I was able to work with him. I flew out to Canada and did a couple dates out there with him up there in Toronto. Like I said we had been sending stuff back and forth on the internet so… He’s dope. He’s like one of my favorites.
J – Most definitely. He is one of my favorite producers in Canada as well. He’s really talented for sure.
So this week you released your first single off your upcoming debut studio album feat. School Boy Q called ‘2 On’. I really like it. I think it’s a big tune and I think it will blow up for sure! Do you have any other collaborations with any other rappers on this album?
T – Yeah I do. But I haven’t announced them yet. *Giggles* The only other collaboration that I have out so far is the Travis $cott ‘Vulnerable’ record.
J – Well both of them are really good, so I am definitely looking forward to more collabs!
T – Thank you!
J – So you have done some work acting and voicing in animated films. Is that something that you hope to continue in your career? Acting? Or is Music the focus?
T – Yeah! That was a big part of my life growing up. It was a big passion of mine, and I think it comes from loving to entertain. So I definitely want to get into doing more of that in the future. But I kind of took a break for a while because I wanted people to take me seriously as a music artist. I didn’t want them to think I was just some actress from some show trying to sing. So I just took a break for a while. But I’ll get back in to it!
J – Alright Cool. I am a big fan of Charlie Sheen and of ‘Two and a Half Men’. So I’m wondering what it was like to work with Charlie Sheen on ‘Two and Half Men’?
T – Yeah! It was actually a really great experience! Honestly, at the time I didn’t really know that he was messed up because he didn’t really act crazy or anything. He was always on time. He always knew his lines. He was very professional. He just really smelled like cigars. That’s about it. But yeah it was a very fun experience. I really enjoyed working on that show.
J – Nice. It sounds like it had to be a fun experience. That’s whats up!
T – Yeah it was nice to do the live audience thing. To get up there… that’s a fun energy!
J – Nice. So besides music, what means the world to Tinashe?
T – First of all my family. I am very family orientated. I love to spend a lot of time with my family. And then I like to be able to just create things. If that’s creating videos, creating music, writing music, creating dances, creating art. I just like to be able to make things. So that’s probably what’s important to me.
J – So you have a birthday coming up soon. As you reflect on life, what do you think is the most important lesson you have learned to date that you would like to share with someone who might even want to be in your position one day?
T – I think one of the most important lesson that I have learned in entertainment is that you have to be OK with rejection. People are going to say no a lot. Your expectations will not be met a lot of the time. You can’t let that discourage you. You have to be able to find within yourself the confidence to keep going and not take it personally.
J – Mmm… Wise words. Cool. Is there anything else you would like to say to the people of Vancouver?
T – Yeah! Just to look out for my single ‘2 On’ feat School Boy Q which should be available for download really soon. Everyone look out for that and the album is coming soon!
J – Nice, and the album is called ‘Aquarius’?
T – Yes! It is!
J – Very nice! We will make sure everyone up here is on the look out for it.
T – Thank you so much!
J – No problem! It was lovely talking to you today. Enjoy the rest of your day and good luck in the future.
T – Thank you so much. You as well.
J – Cool
T – Bye. Thank you.
J – No problem. Bye!