Tinashe

Ebro Darden Apologizes For Calling Tinashe’s Name ‘Ghetto’ During Their Interview

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R&B singer Tinashe and New York radio personality Ebro Darden are trending on Twitter after a video of their 2013 interview on his Hot 97 morning show resurfaced in which he teases her about her name. After Ebro asked Tinashe’s last name (it’s Kachingwe, by the way) and his co-host, Peter Rosenberg, supplied the answer, Ebro tried to joke about Tinashe’s “unusual” name — which comes from the Zimbabwean Shona language and means “We have God (or God is with us)” — somehow mashing together reckless colorism with an ignorant, classist statement.

“Can we point out how light-skinned she is with a ghetto-ass name?” Ebro wonders. Rosenberg checks him, telling him, “It’s not a ghetto name, it’s an African name.” Although he incorrectly states that it’s a Nigerian name, Tinashe clarifies that it’s Zimbabwean and gives them the definition. Ebro tries to explain himself, saying, “Sometimes these ghetto names are actually African.” Meanwhile, Tinashe merely smiles at Ebro in the clip on Twitter, which cuts off before her response. In the full interview, which is still on YouTube, she addresses the light skin comment, explaining that her father is from Zimbabwe, while her mom is white.

In posting the video, the user who resurfaced the clip pointed out the singer’s composure in the awkward moment but let’s be honest: She’s probably used to it. People say all kinds of wild things to kids who don’t just have generic or Biblical names and the question “what are you mixed with” gets lobbed at fairer-skinned Black people all the time. In fact, Tinashe herself imperfectly explained colorism during the run-up to her third studio album, Joyride, pointing out how her complexion often causes confusion from other people. Twitter, being Twitter, dragged her for the comment, but it looks like today, the tables have turned.

Users excoriated Ebro for his comments (it’s unclear whether they recognized how old the video is), while pointing out the obvious irony in them, given Ebro himself is a light-skinned Black man with African roots and an unusual name. For his part, he apologized for comments, saying, “Yea this was a terrible joke, we were using the name skit for people to learn her origins… love Tinashe that’s my homey still.” Obviously, he’s (mostly) grown from this era of confrontational journalism, although he also made Saweetie cry by dissing her freestyle a few years later. Hopefully, he’ll continue to learn and grow, as we all should, and find a way to balance his jokes with consideration, thoughtfulness, and empathy. You can watch the full interview above.

Ebro Darden Apologizes For Calling Tinashe’s Name ‘Ghetto’ During Their Interview

by

R&B singer Tinashe and New York radio personality Ebro Darden are trending on Twitter after a video of their 2013 interview on his Hot 97 morning show resurfaced in which he teases her about her name. After Ebro asked Tinashe’s last name (it’s Kachingwe, by the way) and his co-host, Peter Rosenberg, supplied the answer, Ebro tried to joke about Tinashe’s “unusual” name — which comes from the Zimbabwean Shona language and means “We have God (or God is with us)” — somehow mashing together reckless colorism with an ignorant, classist statement.

“Can we point out how light-skinned she is with a ghetto-ass name?” Ebro wonders. Rosenberg checks him, telling him, “It’s not a ghetto name, it’s an African name.” Although he incorrectly states that it’s a Nigerian name, Tinashe clarifies that it’s Zimbabwean and gives them the definition. Ebro tries to explain himself, saying, “Sometimes these ghetto names are actually African.” Meanwhile, Tinashe merely smiles at Ebro in the clip on Twitter, which cuts off before her response. In the full interview, which is still on YouTube, she addresses the light skin comment, explaining that her father is from Zimbabwe, while her mom is white.

In posting the video, the user who resurfaced the clip pointed out the singer’s composure in the awkward moment but let’s be honest: She’s probably used to it. People say all kinds of wild things to kids who don’t just have generic or Biblical names and the question “what are you mixed with” gets lobbed at fairer-skinned Black people all the time. In fact, Tinashe herself imperfectly explained colorism during the run-up to her third studio album, Joyride, pointing out how her complexion often causes confusion from other people. Twitter, being Twitter, dragged her for the comment, but it looks like today, the tables have turned.

Users excoriated Ebro for his comments (it’s unclear whether they recognized how old the video is), while pointing out the obvious irony in them, given Ebro himself is a light-skinned Black man with African roots and an unusual name. For his part, he apologized for comments, saying, “Yea this was a terrible joke, we were using the name skit for people to learn her origins… love Tinashe that’s my homey still.” Obviously, he’s (mostly) grown from this era of confrontational journalism, although he also made Saweetie cry by dissing her freestyle a few years later. Hopefully, he’ll continue to learn and grow, as we all should, and find a way to balance his jokes with consideration, thoughtfulness, and empathy. You can watch the full interview above.

Tinashe Explains Why She ‘Hated’ Being Categorized As An R&B Star

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In a new interview with Complex, Tinashe addresses her new 333 Tour and fighting an ‘uphill battle’ for recognition for the past decade. One part of that battle was being put into a box by music journalists, labels, and fans. When asked about the labels that have been applied to her over her career, Tinashe explained why she “hated” being known as an R&B artist.

“I hated being called an R&B star,” she said. “I really, really had a strong aversion to that. I felt that created a ceiling to my art and my artistry that really turned me off in the early days. I didn’t want to be in that box that I felt had some type of inevitable lid on it. I’ve always honestly classified myself as a pop star. That’s always been what I see for myself, and then I think people’s interpretation of what that means is maybe where it gets convoluted because some people think pop means mainstream. Like, I don’t know, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, or something. But I think that’s not what that really means. To me, it’s more like what you embody more so than, I think, what it sonically sounds like.”

While she doesn’t explain whether her outlook has changed, she has continued to dabble in multiple sounds on her new album, 333. You can read Uproxx’s review here.

Tinashe Jokingly Reacts To A Fight That Broke Out At One Of Her Concerts

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The return of concerts over the last couple of months has been a great thing for fans. After going more than a year without the chance to see their favorite artists live, music lovers from all over had that opportunity given back to them, one that also grants artists a chance to meet their many supporters from all over the world. For the most part, the return of concerts has been normal which means there have been equally good and bad events. An example of the latter came at a recent Tinashe concert and after a video of the incident surfaced on social media, the singer had some light-hearted comments to share about it.

During the singer’s recent concert in New York, a fight between two women broke out and a good portion of the incident was caught on camera. While the reason for the fight is unknown, the video shows the ladies throwing a fair amount of punches before fellow concertgoers step in to break things up. Once the video reached social media, Tinashe caught wind of it and shared her response. “This is NOT what I meant when I said bad b*tches link up,” she wrote in reply to the video.

The singer’s comment comes after she released her fifth album 333, a project she is currently on tour for. The 333 Tour began last month in Houston and will continue through this month before coming to an end on October 21 in Seattle, Washington

You can view the fight and Tinashe’s response above.

Tinashe’s ‘333’ Highlights Her Impressive Versatility While Advocating For Trust In The Process

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Tinashe Music

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

The angel number “333” is a reassuring sign that confirms the path one currently charters is the correct one. All fears, worries, anxieties, or anything else that undercuts confidence at the knees, are acknowledged, but the beam of light that this triple-digit figure shines towards is optimism rather than pessimism. In short, “333” not only begs for faith but also induces it. After all the chaos that the world endured in 2020, it’s no surprise that Tinashe’s fifth album carries the title of 333, but a pandemic year barely scratches the surface of inspiration for the singer, that is, if it’s even for the table she sits at.

To understand why Tinashe might need faith instilled in her future, you have to understand her past. After gaining popularity for a trio for 2010s mixtapes, In Case We Die (2012), Reverie (2012), and Black Water (2013), and breaking through mainstream walls with her debut album Aquarius and top-30 Billboard single “2 On,” things would veer off-road for Tinashe. Struggles with her former label would result in an unpromoted sophomore album Nightride and a well-overdue third album in Joyride. Tinashe would reclaim control of her career as an independent act for her fourth and fifth albums, Songs For You and 333, but for many of her fans, and quite possibly the singer herself, questions of what-ifs and maybes swarmed the mind.

333 encapsulates Tinashe’s eye-popping versatility like no other album in her discography has done. Through 16 songs and collaborations with Jeremih, Kaytranada, Kaash Paige, Buddy, and more, the singer dives headfirst into the idea that trusting what’s in front of you will lead to what’s also destined for you. It’s the hidden message that lays underneath the drawn-out and steady snaps on the album’s opening track, “Let Go.” “It’ll be alright,” she sings softly. “When I let go.” The gadgets and gizmos that we believe we can control to steer our lives in the desired direction are mere placebos that appear as such we end up at a different destination than expected — whether it be an enchanting heaven or a bottomless ditch.

So with that, Tinashe keeps faith in what she can do well, and in all honesty, it’s a lot. Between R&B that arrives as gritty on “I Can See The Future” or bouncy and sensual on “X” as well as pop-leaning records that come alive through “Undo (Back To My Heart)” and “The Chase,” Tinashe’s palette bears many different colors for brushes of all sizes. For some, this never-ending availability of options may be too much to handle, but for Tinashe? She’s cut front the cloth that doesn’t simply beg for freedom — she requires and demands it. A lack of boundaries for some leads to aimless roaming and wasted times, while for others, it provides the perfect space for discovery and inspiration. Tinashe is the latter.

Roaming free helped the singer produce several examples of attention-seizing records on 333. “Unconditional” begins with uptempo dance-ready production before dialing the tempo back in its second half into a relaxed state that sees Tinashe expanding on her request for love without restriction as she plans on giving the same. “Last Call” arrives as a somber goodbye to a relationship that once was and the hope that a friendship can be salvaged. The song’s climatic production from verse-to-chorus accentuates Tinashe’s true pain towards a departed love while a similar structure on “The Chase” presents a woman who’s moved on and won’t beg for a former lover’s presence.

For the career Tinashe has endured, two quotes from her come to mind. “I realized that it was my turn to get back into the driver’s seat as far as curating every move I made from there on out,” which she said following the underwhelming success of “Flame,” a lead single turned promo release for Joyride. The second comes from a 2017 interview with Lena Dunham. “I learned that if I couldn’t trust in myself, and my own opinions, I lost all of my value as an artist,” she said. Both statements from Tinashe are worth keeping in mind while traversing through her latest body of work.

Tinashe deserves the spot she stands in right now. She was due for this position years ago, but maybe the bumpy road she walked on was intentionally laid for her. The trials and tribulations the singer went through are certainly examples of the faults within an often unsupportive music industry, this and the accompanying high moments she experienced all contributed to the success she has now. Control what you can and let go of what you cannot as hindsight is 20/20 and foresight is as blind as a bat, but faith in continuing forward should bring Tinashe all she wants and more. The angels have spoken, now it’s time to listen, trust, and believe.

333 is out now via Tinashe Music Inc. Get it here.

Tinashe Shares A Seductive New Single, ‘I Can See The Future’

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Shortly after unveiling the title and release date of her forthcoming album, 333, Tinashe has shared a seductive new single called “I Can See The Future.” Over a skittering beat, the R&B singer rolls out verses about a potentially rewarding partnership with a love interest: “I can see the future / And it looks like you and I / I can see the future / And it feels like paradise.”

Prior to “I Can See The Future,” Tinashe shared two singles that will appear on 333. The first is “Pasadena” and the second is “Bouncin.” She’ll also hit the road later this year for her “333 Tour,” which launches on September 16 in Houston, Texas, and lasts for a little over a month before concluding on October 24. It will also a worldwide experience curated by Moment House, a company that specializes in virtual performances.

Listen to “I Can See The Future” above. Tinashe also revealed the 333 album artwork and tracklist last night, which you can find below.

Tinashe

1. “Let Go”
2. “I Can See The Future”
3. “X” Feat. Jeremih
4. “Shy Guy”
5. “Boucin’”
6. “Unconditional” Feat. Kaytranada
7. “Angels” Feat. Kaash Paige
8. “333” Feat. AB
9. “Undo” Feat. Wax Motif
10. “Let Me Down Slowly”
11. “Last Call”
12. “The Chase”
13. “Pasadena” Feat. Buddy
14. “Small Reminders”
15. “Bouncin’ Pt. 2”
16. “It’s A Wrap” Feat. Quiet Child and Kudzai

333 is out 8/6. Pre-order it here.

Tinashe Reveals The Title And Release Date For Her Upcoming Fifth Album

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It’s been a couple of years since a new project from Tinashe was released, but 2019’s Songs For You turned out to be one of the most well-received releases of her career. Now the singer has announced the title and release date of her forthcoming fifth album.

Tinashe revealed in a tweet it would be titled 333. She also attached a sci-fi trailer that captures the singer getting out of bed and finding out that a third eye has mysteriously appeared on her forehead. The post was captioned “08062021,” which means that the album will arrive early next month, on August 6. Tinashe previously shared a video, which was captioned “333,” and which showed her undergoing experimental tests conducted by a group of doctors.

The announcement comes after Tinashe shared two singles that will likely appear on 333. The first is “Pasadena” and the second is “Bouncin,” and both were supported by elegant videos. She will also hit the road later this year for her 333 Tour, which launches on September 16 in Houston, Texas, and lasts for a little over a month before concluding on October 24. It will also a worldwide experience curated by Moment House, a company that specializes in virtual performances.

You can watch the trailers for 333 above.

Here’s 5 Solo Shots Of Tinashe’s Bouncin’ Beauty

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Kentucky singer Tinashe just dropped a complete banger. Her new ‘Bouncin’ music video has arrived and it is pure fire, just like the song. However, there’s a whole gold mine of Tinashe visuals out there. From modeling photos to selfies to anything she posts on social media, the “2 On” crooner keeps fans’ eyes peeled. […]

Tinashe Dances On A Trampoline In Her Exuberant ‘Bouncin’ Video

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Tinashe looks like she’s having the time of her life in the video for “Bouncin,” a simple but exuberant affair in which she sticks to her strengths — namely, performing elaborate choreography as she flirts with her male co-star. In this video, the twist is the addition of some small trampolines for Tinashe and her dance team, which allow for some theme-appropriate moves that bring a new dimension to the usual kinetic direction of Tinashe’s visuals.

The video arrived just five days after the song premiered on New Music Friday, following a rollout strategy that has gotten rarer and rarer in the streaming era. It’s Tinashe’s second video of the year after the clip for “Pasadena” featuring Compton rapper Buddy and appears to be building up to her new, independently released fifth album, which fans believe will be titled 333 after Tinashe shared a teaser about the album on social media.

That speculation was reinforced by Tinashe’s announcement of the 333 Tour which will start in September and include 22 stops, concluding with a live stream on Moment House in late October. 333 will be Tinashashe’s first album since 2019’s Songs For You, which she also released independently after leaving RCA Records in 2018.

Watch Tinashe’s “Bouncin” video above.