A brand new period requires a brand new title: Practically ten years after she first hit the scene with the hypnotic “Wine Pon It,” Jamaican-born, Bronx-bred singer-rapper Tina has shed her Hoodcelebrityy moniker, opting to go by her given title as an alternative. “Hoodcelebrityy” might have been demoted to a parenthetical – the website positioning gods are at all times watching – however the persona that earned her her very first Billboard chart hit, 2017’s “Strolling Trophy,” stays in full power all through her fiery new mission.
Launched by way of KSR Group on Could 17, Tina vs. Hoodcelebrityy – her second full-length mission and first in seven years – diligently hones Tina’s distinctive combination of reggae, rap, dancehall and R&B, leading to a breezy 10-track set that explores her twin sonic profiles whereas providing a sultry prelude to Caribbean Heritage Month. Her softer, extra melodic aspect shines on standout tracks corresponding to “Roses” and “Dolly,” whereas her gruffer, New York drill-informed aspect reigns supreme on cuts like “Hype Me Up” and “Stress.” Seven years after Lure vs. Reggae reached No. 9 on High Reggae Albums, Tina takes the binary strategy of that report and flips it right into a lens by means of which she will honor the totally different elements of her cultural and sonic id.
“My largest hope for this mission is for folks — not simply my followers — to see the standard of my music and the way versatile I’m as an artist and to not ever put me in a field,” she muses.
With a efficiency at Reggae Fest and a tour on the horizon, Tina is able to reintroduce herself to the world with a set of data which can be attractive, fearless odes to the wonders of style fusion. In a considerate dialog with Billboard, Tina particulars her new mission, the evolution of New York’s sound, working with Shaggy, her title change, and what she nonetheless carries along with her from rising up in Jamaica.
1. What’s been your favourite factor that’s occurred to you this yr exterior of the brand new mission?
Simply discovering peace [and] actually discovering myself. I really feel like [the COVID years taught] me rather a lot about myself. Stuff that I didn’t know. I actually perceive which you could have the whole lot you need and nonetheless be depressed, lonely, and so on. For me, it’s the only issues that I discover make me glad.
2. You latterly put out Tina vs. Hoodcelebrityy. Speak to me in regards to the idea behind the mission and the way the entire thing got here collectively.
Tina: My followers dem know the way versatile I’m. I had this complete factor happening like, I need you to inform me which report y’all assume is Tina and which report is Hoodcelebrityy. I really feel like they kinda figuring that out as we communicate. Tina vs. Hoodcelebrityy is simply me in opposition to myself, at all times me making an attempt to be higher than who I was.
We obtained Tina, the place you get the melody, the gentle data, after which we obtained Hoodcelebrityy, the place you get the hardcore, reggae deejay half. I can embody each Hoodcelebrityy and Tina. It’s all about making my followers dem see two totally different sides.
3. That is your first full-length mission in about seven years. How do you assume you’ve grown as an individual and as an artist since Lure vs. Reggae?
Once I hear a few of my data on Lure vs. Reggae, although my followers nonetheless love these data, I can inform the expansion. My voice, my pitch, the melodies, how I maintain sure notes — it’s positively loads of progress. Earlier than, I used to hurry, particularly once I first got here out [with] “Strolling Trophy.” I used to be dashing data like, I obtained to make one other one like this. Now I’m simply actually taking time with the music and never being so arduous on myself, as a result of I really feel like if you hurting your self, you don’t actually get the very best work. Proper now, I’m simply having enjoyable with the music.
For my followers and individuals who didn’t know, I took a little bit break earlier than as a result of I had obtained [really] sick and I used to be going by means of rather a lot. Like I mentioned, you would have all the cash, the whole lot you need, however if you happen to don’t have peace, you don’t have that readability or your well being… you don’t don’t have anything.
4. Getting to a degree the place you may take it straightforward on your self has obtained to be troublesome on this particular trade. Who did you speak in confidence to? How did you take care of these emotions going into this mission?
Massive shoutout to my cousin Melissa, she’s my mentor. She’s a therapist. I opened as much as her, and I really feel like she retains me grounded rather a lot. [She] helped me perceive that on the finish of the day, I’m not doing this for no one else. I do that for myself, I do it for my household. In the event you take note of the trade and to what folks obtained to say, you then’re carried out. As soon as they discover one other you or one thing near you, they put you proper on the shelf. No one cares about you no extra. That’s actually what retains me grounded. I block all that out and I’m centered.
5. You’re formally going by Tina now. Was there a selected second that sparked that alternative or did life simply convey you there naturally?
Behind Hoodcelebrityy, Tina was at all times the writer. COVID put me to sit down down and actually wrestle with discovering myself and wanting my legacy to go down with Tina. Hoodcelebrityy is at all times gonna be that little lady that got here out of The Bronx, exhibiting different folks from the hood which you could make it out. However I see extra than simply Hoodcelebrityy.
I see worldwide, I’ve been to Israel, [gone] again to Jamaica, the U.Ok., Toronto… I’ve been all around the world. I nonetheless have much more nations and locations to go and I really feel like once I get that Grammy, I need them to be like, And the Grammy goes to Tina!
For me, it’s larger. Folks say they don’t decide, however they do. I don’t wish to give no human being on this Earth an opportunity to place me in a field. Once they hear that title, folks robotically assume, Oh, she’s simply she’s only a hood superstar. That’s the place it stops. No, I’m means larger than simply that. They usually’ve carried out it to me rather a lot.
6. Had been you nervous or afraid to undergo with that title change?
At first, I used to be permitting different folks to mission their worry on me as a result of that’s what folks do after they’re terrified of change. After I actually obtained snug myself and [sat] down and prayed and put God first, as a result of that’s what I do, I wasn’t afraid. I perceive {that a} change goes to be rocky at first as a result of I’ve folks which can be like, You modified your title, how are folks gonna discover you now? How they gonna discover you on Spotify? I sit down and I’ll be real looking to myself, that’s why I put [Hoodcelebrityy] in parentheses, so I’m at all times going to pop up.
And my followers have been with it. They inform me on a regular basis that I’m larger than only a hood superstar, we’re so in sync and in the identical headspace. Folks that basically love you and look after you wish to see you develop. Development is at all times going to be scary, however you may’t keep in the identical place.
7. What music do you assume greatest represents the Tina aspect of the mission and why?
“Roses” positively was Tina. “Roses” goes to be a giant report, as a result of I’m actually for ladies. I’m actually for uplifting females and making them be ok with themselves. For girls, there’s a lot stuff on the market that’s positioned on us. It’s a lot strain that it obtained to be anyone to remind them that they’re stunning and deserve their roses. Some folks provide you with your flowers if you’re lifeless. Give girls their flowers now!
I’m simply that voice for a younger lady or a grown lady — it don’t matter the age. I’ve lots of people that I take care of that don’t have any vanity. They don’t really feel fairly and that’s as a result of anyone made them really feel that means.
8. “Pores and skin Out Di Pink” nonetheless slaps. Speak to me about working with Shaggy on that one.
Working with Shaggy was dope! This man’s a machine, he don’t cease! I really feel like I nonetheless have much more rising [to do], as a result of I’m nonetheless a brand new, younger artist. He’s a legend, and I discovered a lot from him. I used to be in Miami with him for 4 days and we recorded each single day.
Even when my voice was going out, he was like, Alright, we gonna take a break. He had his chef make me tea to get my throat again collectively, gave me an hour break, after which we went proper again at it. I’m like, I assumed once I mentioned my throat was hurting, he was gonna say let’s go house! [Laughs.] I’ve been preaching this for therefore lengthy, however listening to a legend say it was higher – consistency is vital. No matter Shaggy tells me, I’m going to pay attention as a result of he’s very profitable. And for individuals who don’t know, Shaggy is basically enjoyable, he’s not caught up. I had a good time. It didn’t simply really feel like work.
9. You additionally simply put out “Been Fairly” and also you have been speaking your s—t on there.
With “Been Fairly,” I need folks to know that after they hear my music, I’m actually sitting down to write down it. And I’m not saying I don’t get assist with a few of my music once I’m within the studio with my workforce, however “Been Fairly” was a report that I sat down and simply wrote myself on some I’m in my bag, that is actually how I really feel at this time power.
10. Certainly one of my favourite issues in regards to the mission is how intentional you have been by way of showcasing totally different elements of your id. Being New Yorkers, that’s one thing that we actually take delight in. How do you assume being a New Yorker, being a Bronx lady particularly, has influenced your sound and your strategy to music?
The boldness. You may’t be from the Bronx and also you don’t really feel such as you that lady. The way in which I speak too. I’ve the Jamaican patois in me — however then I can shut it off a little bit bit and go full New York like, You buggin proper now! You may hear it in my music, it’s actually natural and pure for me.
I left Jamaica once I was 12, so rising up within the Bronx, then going Uptown, then to the White Plains to go go to my household, I get a combination of each [cultures] and you may hear it within the music. It provides a little bit of swag. It’s like cooking with a likkle black peppa and adobo, it simply provides the seasoning and the swag to my music.
11. What from Jamaica do you assume nonetheless lives in you as an individual and as an artist?
Manners. Dignity. Self-love. It don’t matter how massive I get on this trade, I obtained to have manners. That’s one thing that residing in Jamaica for an entire 12 years [and] being raised by my great-grandmother taught me. You don’t say “good night” when anyone are available in otherwise you don’t open the door if you happen to’re forward of anyone else, you’ll get your a– whooped. Being a celeb or not, if I’m in entrance of you and all of us going someplace, I’m holding the door for everyone. I can’t cease, as a result of it’s one thing that’s in me. And it’s not going nowhere as a result of, as they are saying, prepare the tree when it’s younger, so after they get outdated, they received’t depart from the coaching.
12. Money Cobain can be from The Bronx and he’s having a second along with his “attractive drill” sound correct now. Might we get a collab between you two?
Hell yeah! I believe he’s dope. On my report, funnily sufficient, there’s a music [called “Funny Funny Funny”] that was impressed by that attractive drill sound. I might like to do a report with him.
13. Who else from New York would you wish to collaborate with sooner or later?
I at all times say Drake. I do know he’s not from right here, however positively Drake. Sheff G too, I believe he’s dope. I believe his music is fireplace. I’m extra into expertise, longevity, and issues that make sense. I don’t love to do data with folks as a result of they’re popping. If I don’t really feel the music, it’s not value it. I went to highschool for music. I really like music. I’m not doing this s—t for cash or for consideration, so I wish to work with artists that I believe are literally dope and have substance.
15. You mentioned you went to highschool for music. What are one or two classes from these days that you just nonetheless maintain on to now?
Simply the eagerness, truthfully. I went to highschool for violin and dance, however I actually went [in] considering, I’m simply going to be in there singing. I didn’t know I used to be going to be taking part in violin, it was one thing that I needed to do, so I did it. Music college positively taught me about ardour, although. I’ve a ardour for dancing too. I studied the whole lot — I used to be doing hip-hop, ballet… that’s why I really feel like I do all my dances on my tippy toes.
16. What do you bear in mind the sound of New York being if you have been rising up? What do you assume it’s proper now?
For me, the sound of New York rising up was 50 Cent. [He’s] my favourite rapper. I really feel like rising up, it was extra hardcore hip-hop, particularly within the beats. Now you get totally different varieties. We obtained the attractive drill, then we obtained the hip-hop, you then obtained a little bit little bit of the R&B sort of vibe. I really feel prefer it’s totally different, however our younger era has their very own sound.
That’s actually what we’re doing, even for dancehall music. Lots of people are like, Oh, however we wish to hear the old-school stuff and it’s like — thank God for all of the old-school artists, as a result of they paved the best way, however the youthful era is coming with an entire new sound. And when one thing is new, folks get scared. They trash it. They speak s—t about it. Every thing has to vary. Even among the OGs and the legends – massive as much as Shaggy – are embracing that new sound since you obtained to strive various things.
17. We had two massive international clashes on the high of this yr with Teejay vs. Valiant and Stefflon Don vs. Jada Kingdom. Which do you assume produced higher music?
I believe each was dope, however I’m a feminine. I’m all for the females. Girls, after we’re on to one thing, we’re on to one thing. I really feel like they each stood their floor, and it was enjoyable. It didn’t get violent, thank God. I really feel just like the [Stefflon Don and Jada Kingdom] one was higher, they’d extra folks speaking.
I really feel just like the dudes have been making an attempt to play it chill. [Both ladies] did their factor and so they each obtained a great fan base from it too. They was taking part in them on Sizzling 97 on [105.1 FM], I really feel like that positively did good for each their careers as nicely for individuals who didn’t know who Steff or Jada have been. Folks like gossip, so it’s like, Oh, they beefing let’s see what’s happening.
18. Which one in every of these songs are you most excited to convey to life on the Reggae Fest stage.
I’m performing “Roses,” however one in every of my favourite data to convey on that stage is gonna be “Run Di Highway.” It’s actually that hardcore reggae. When that music come on, it’s like if you hear [sings Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote.”] Regardless of the place you at, you’re feeling such as you in Jamaica. I really feel like “Run Di Highway” is unquestionably going to do this to that crowd.
19. Did you make it out to the Labor Day parade final yr?
In fact! Final yr was my first time going again in mad lengthy. I assumed it was lots of people’s return to the parade life, that’s why I’m hyped for this yr. What I really like about Labor Day is that the power by no means modified. Everyone needs to have enjoyable. No one going there to struggle, all people’s going to have a great time.
20. Are you going to make it out to Buju Banton’s Lengthy Stroll to Freedom live performance subsequent month?
I don’t assume I can be, but when I’m going to be in New York, I’d. That’s positively gonna be loopy. I’m biased with regards to something that’s linked to Jamaica as a result of I do know what we undergo [there.] I do know the wrestle, I do know the backend of it. Being that little lady from Jamaica and having a dream and coming to America to actually convey that to life… I obtained to help something that’s linked to that as a result of I do know what it appears like.
Even if you happen to don’t like me, even when I do know that you just don’t really feel how I really feel about you, I nonetheless have that in me — as a result of that’s what retains me going too. I got here to America once I was 12, I didn’t don’t have anything. I couldn’t work any sort of job that I needed to. So making it out, I might simply think about somebody that got here from Jamaica two or three years in the past and what life was like for them. So, something surrounding that, I obtained to help it.