With a unique sound and energy that sets him apart from the rest, Themba! is an emerging artist who has been captivating audiences with his music. Born and raised in Indiana, Themba! was surrounded by music his whole life. It was not until he saw his father perform live at church when he was a young child that he knew he wanted to pursue a career in music. His father, a successful artist in his home country of Malawi, Africa, inspired Themba! to be just like him.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Themba! has been able to incorporate his experiences from both cities into his music, which has played a significant role in his creative process. His latest single, "Swag War 2077," showcases his ability to blend the sounds of his childhood in the 2000s with new experimental sounds. Themba! values spreading positivity and exploring surreal and darker topics through his music. He crafts lyrics that are both personal and relatable to a wider audience, allowing listeners to insert their own experiences.
Themba! has a unique approach to his creative process, which involves envisioning who he wants his music to speak to, and writing a list of themes, characteristics, topics, and vibes to hit on his songs. He believes in staying true to his creative vision while also appealing to a wider audience. Themba! has a strong connection with his fans, and he deeply appreciates their support and energy, which inspires him to continue pushing boundaries through his music.
Can you tell us about a specific moment in your life or career that inspired you to pursue a career in music? Was there a particular song or artist that influenced you to pursue this path?
Watching my father perform at church. He was a successful artist in his home country of Malawi, Africa. I was surrounded by music my whole life due to it but seeing him perform live when I was a young child for sure made me want to be just like him
As an artist, you have a unique sound and energy to your music. Can you walk us through your creative process and how you developed your sound? How do you balance staying true to your creative vision while also appealing to a wider audience?
I listen to a lot of 2000s rnb and hip hop, Late 2000s all that jazz. But I also love more experimental artists such as SOPHIE or Arca. I want to blend the sounds of the 2000s, which was my childhood, but bring that new sound to it was well.
Who are some of the lesser-known artists that have influenced your music, and how have they impacted your creative process? In what ways have these artists challenged you to push boundaries and explore new sounds?
A lot of my friends who also do music have influenced the way I attack my art. BVNISHED and Viperactive are two EDM artists who while being around them continuously taught me lots of what I know today and how to keep pushing boundaries in hip hop.
When it comes to performing live, what is the biggest challenge you face, and how do you prepare for it? How do you feed off the energy of the crowd and adapt your performance to different venues and audiences?
Not gonna lie I always think I’m not nervous to perform until the 5 minutes before when I start getting incredibly anxious. For me I'm fortunate that the second I touch that stage and mic is in hand, I become was confident as my music sounds. I just let my personality flow and get the people moving. Performing is one of the only times I feel I can truly be the most extravagant version of myself.
You have lived in both Indianapolis and Los Angeles. How have your experiences in both cities shaped your music, and how have you been able to incorporate those influences into your sound?
Indianapolis does not have much of a scene going on at the moment. We have a few artists coming up, but we have yet to unify and work together. Everyone there right now is chasing for the “King of Indy” title it seems. Moving here matured my sound, definitely following a mature in my life from moving. The scene here is really flourishing and being in these rooms and in these moments really has inspired my sound now living experiences that seemed so far away back home in Indiana. I will always love indiana for raising me, it is where I found my passion for music, being here finally took it to that next level.
Your single, "Swag War 2077," has a very futuristic sound to it. Can you share with us the inspiration behind the song and how you approached the production process? How do you balance experimenting with new sounds while still staying true to your artistic vision?
For a long time I struggled with balance between experimentation and hitting a sound that sounded truly good, and being only myself. I had been brainstorming what and who I wanted the THEMBA! brand to pander to. I had to envision who I could see being a THEMBA! fan. I wrote on my whiteboard in my home recording studio a list of themes, characteristics, topics and vibes to hit on my songs. When it comes to production I love super fast, dance inspired beats. Nostalgic vocal samples run through all of the beats I make it seems.
What themes or messages do you explore in your music, and how do you hope to impact your listeners? How do you approach crafting lyrics that are both personal and relatable to a wider audience?
I love spreading positivity, while also diving into surreal and darker topics, Whether its heartbreak songs, or lovestruck ballads. I used to write these songs a lot back when I was just getting into music and I found the way to stay personal and have people relate, is to leave space open to listeners to insert their own experiences, and not make it too specific. Being able to do that comes with developing a dedicated fan base that becomes fascinated with the artist themselves. It helps let people gravitate to you in the beginning for sure.
Can you tell us about your production team, and how they contribute to your creative process? What qualities do you look for in a production team, and how do you ensure that everyone is on the same page creatively??
A lot of the people I work with are actually just friends I have had since Middle/High School. I have been working with my brother, as he is breaking his way into the film industry as well, we have that natural family chemistry going for us. Every creative session we have had has been a massive success. I just need to make sure everyone cares about the project as much as I do, so I can guarantee the art will live up to the level I value my work at. I love seeing when everyone else is on top of their own personal projects too, I love helping others too.
Looking ahead, how do you see the music scene in Los Angeles evolving over the next few years? How do you plan to stay ahead of the curve and continue to innovate with your music?
Right now I have just been a fly on a wall, listening in and learning from the great artists I am surrounded by now. As I keep building my name behind the scenes in this industry I will continue to prove myself outside, and build the THEMBA! wave. To stay ahead I just have to keep innovating, the future is always moving as time does. I never want to sit in one spot for too long.
As an artist, what personal values or experiences do you bring into your music career, and how do they shape the decisions you make as an artist? How do you stay true to yourself while also taking risks and pushing boundaries?
I have been making music since I was around 14, so anyone who made music in high school will know it was hard fighting through all the doubts. I dealt with lots of ridicule, and was constantly made fun of for pursuing this lane. Coming from a smaller suburban city in Indiana this really comes as no surprise, but I value how much stronger of an artist that made me. It serves as a reminder that if I pushed through all of that, how much music must really mean to me. I always ask myself the question, If everyone on earth disappeared today, would I still make music.
What's one thing you wish you had known when you were starting out in the industry? How have you grown as an artist since then, and what advice would you give to aspiring musicians just starting out?
I wish I knew how much I was overthinking a lot of the creative stuff. It does not mean that I am not being as creative as I once was, but I realized a lot of times the ambition can become disruptive, and a lot of artists find them selves trying to fit in a pocket that does not suit them, and that everything really lies right in front of you. Every single human is different, so when I started embracing the characteristics I have always had, that felt unique to me that art one point I was insecure about, such as my voice, my music became incredibly more unique and opened up more doors to express my actual self into my art. It may seem like the basic advice a lot of artists will give out, but I cannot express it more, to just be yourself.
Creative block and uncertainty are common challenges that artists face. How do you stay motivated and focused during these times, and what strategies have you developed for overcoming creative block?
I have realized that creative burnout is a very real thing. A lot of times when I lock in too hard for a moment I need to step back and experience life outside of music. Go outside, see family, live life. Artists are humans too, and our lives coexist within our art, so if there is no new life experiences, then it will translate to the art as well. I also get tired of working in the same space for too long, starts to feel like clocking in clocking out. A change of scenery is necessary for me as well for my work station.
As an artist, what do you hope your music contributes to the industry or society as a whole? How do you see your music fitting into the larger cultural landscape?
I want to see my music withstand the ultimate test of time, and continue to inspire the coming generations of hip hop. I want everything I release to really become a moment, forever having people on their toes for what comes next, as I stay unpredictable.
Looking ahead, how do you see your music evolving in the future, and what can fans expect from you in the coming years? What projects or collaborations do you have in the works that you're most excited about?
I’m very excited about the EP I plan to drop by the end of the year. Will be a very forward thinking EP on the production and subject matter. A lot of cool visuals on the way as well. The Music will only continue to evolve!
Lastly, what message do you have for your fans and supporters who have been with you since the beginning? How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in your creative process?
I am thankful for each and every one of my fans! to Everyone who supports the vision right now, You will never be forgotten! I will go out of my way all the time to give back to the people who help me succeed, the fans are just as important as the artist, I love you all! I feed off of their energy and they keep me going, I love impressing and feeding them never letting off the gas! More THEMBA! energy coming stay up everybody!