The raw sexuality of her track Nasty made it a viral sensation, moving the singer out of major label hell. But she says the industry is still toxic and racially segregated
So far, all things considered, 2024 has been pretty dark. Online, people are responding by embracing fecklessness and hedonism. Some are having a Brat summer, inspired by Charli xcx’s frank, debauched new album; others are choosing to get “nasty”, tapping into a straightforwardly horny call-to-arms from the American singer Tinashe on her single of the same name: “Is somebody gonna match my freak?”
“Freak” in this context means a wild and unusual sexual proclivity, and the phrase has become a meme, motto, or dating-profile tagline for anyone looking to let off steam over the past few months. Tinashe understands the impulse. “It’s not a super happy, exciting time to be living in the world,” the 31-year-old says on the phone from her home in Los Angeles. “That creates a pendulum that swings towards people just wanting to listen to music that makes them find release and joy.”