"Although I didn't write this song, it spoke to me in a way that made me feel as if it was my own story,” Brandon said. “I found myself playing it over and over again in my bedroom, remembering situations that I've been through.”
Check out the video for yourself below.
This should come as no surprise, because as anyone could tell, Tohji is a man who likes to have fun and look good doing it. The artist presents himself as the midpoint of multiple worlds and styles; he is a rapper, yes, but with a keen eye for visuals as his, Tohji seems like some creation wholly unique.
A rapping, high-fashion inspired incoclast who seems to have wandered off an early aughts film set. Take the visual for his breakaway hit, "Oreo." A delirious beach day, all hazy sunshine, drag-racecar donuts in the sand, and friends and liquor in equal measure. Tohji is ringleader among them, leading us through the hedonistic scene with an ease and sense of fun perfectly suited to the music.
Here, we find out a little more about the man behind the persona without it being enough to demistify; Tohji obviously knows better than to allow that.
How long have you been making music?
2-3 years.
Does music run in the family?
My dad regrowing their hair, wit the frontier spirit.
What is your process for making music? Do you write lyrics or improvise?
Both.
You record music in both Japanese and English. What’s the thought process behind using both languages? Is it important that people understand the lyrics to you? Or is it more about rhythm and melody?
Using both languages is my most natural way to express. I want listeners to feel my music as a whole. I create the atmosphere with music and visuals, not just with lyrics.
Last year you dropped the Angel EP, and this year "Oreo" has brightened your star quite a bit with remixes from high profile artists. How have things changed for you between projects?
I put out Angel and played several gigs in Europe and Asia. I made new friends through those times who gave me new inspirations to my work. I’m always making music for my friends so I think there was a definite change through that process.
If Covid weren’t a factor, what would you ideally like to be doing this year in terms of music? Any projects on the horizon?
I would want to go back and forth around Asia, making music, seeing my friends there, also spending some time in western countries would be nice. I know there’s a lot going on in Asian countries, but I haven’t been there many times. We could have gigs in different cities, making new atmosphere with new friends.
You described yourself as “the new visual Beatles," and it’s an intriguing quote. Visuals seem to be a big part of your artistry; do you think your image is of equal importance to your music?
Yes! I make a whole big swag.
Who are your visual influences? Films, artists, video games? Anything in particular that inspires how you present yourself to an audience through album covers, Instagram or music videos?
When I quit my high school, I spent a year in my room watching movies, drinking a bottle of whisky everyday. That was precious time for me.
Musical influences? If you could collaborate with anyone right now, who would it be?
Punk, crunk. My friends.
Do you have a favorite song of your own right now?
My project for the next summer.
Are there any local Japanese artists that inspire you? That you’ve been listening to and would want to give a shout out to?
Loota, Elle Teresa, Le Makeup, Mall Boyz.
Genie in a lamp. Three wishes. What are they?
No thanks.
The single, which features Skepta, comes with a video that nods to a multitude of classic American horror films. In it, gruesome imagery with references to Scary Movie, American Psycho, The Silence of The Lambs, Candyman, and more, is merged with slowthai's glamorous and imaginative flair to create a signature style.
TYRON is set to be released on February 12th.
Below, he bestows some heavy advice, some personality, and a little more knowledge about himself with office.
Get your fill before you bop around the crib to Quadie Diesel’s “Gravy Baby.”
I personally loved the video, can you explain what the energy was like for the day of the shoot?
I was wavy so it was fun. I was hype as shit to wear my care bear sweat suit.
What was the inspo for Gravy Baby? What does the process look like for you when you go about making a new song, mad long or it's money from the jump? Do you write your raps or is it off top?
I just rap. I might write every once in a while, but mostly just punching in. Unless I wanna slow the session down and write a couple things. The inspo for Gravy Baby was really just what was going on around me. Izzle [homie of Quadie’s] really poured the wok at Salt Bae and I was like that’s poetry.
What drew you to residing in Delaware? What about your surroundings inspired you?
I’m from Delaware. I moved there when I was a young bull. Just life as a whole. Like I’ll rap about some shit that happened that’s on my mind right now or what just happened that day. So it's everything: the fashion, the lifestyle, the women, the food, the fabrics.. mad shit foreal.
Many of your songs seem to let on that you've been through some trials and tribulations that have helped define who you are today. What is something you'd want to hear in your darkest moments? If someone could have grabbed your shoulders and told you… to help you through, what would penetrate you to truly believe that?
“This shit doesn't last, you need to deal with the feelings or worries you have, like let them out, cry, do whatever you got to do and snap back and make a plan to avoid whatever this may be in the future and get back out there and get busy.” I heard this in my darkest moments and it worked.
Many of your inspirations overcame adversity and paved their own lanes. In your words, what are the qualities needed to overcome and then thrive?
Just do your own thing and keep working. If you're actually talented and tough you're going to get better. Hone in on what you do and that shit is going to be crazy, like really just focus and stand on some shit.
I see you, you said in Complex some time back, you didn’t really understand the music industry. I bet you do and you don't want a part of the fake shit, better to have what you want gravitate to you or better to go out and chase down what you want?
I think you definitely gotta chase what you want but some stuff you gotta let happen naturally. So that’s like a case by case situation.
