By: R. City

Hitmaker Theron “Uptown” Thomas is one half of the brother duo R. City, who is responsible for some of Pop music’s biggest records to date. Having worked with the likes of Rihanna, Lizzo, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, The Pussy Cat Dolls and Akon to name a few, this living legend plans to impact the careers of many more hotshots in the new year.

I had the pleasure of catching up with this hotshot for a candid interview to discuss finding longevity, creating music with his brother and working with some of Pop music’s most notable acts. Check it out below.

Theron Thomas Interview 

Respect: How did you get your start in the music business?

Theron: I officially started in the business in 2007. My brother and I were in a big group in the Caribbean especially the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. We got famous over there and then moved to the states in 2000 to try to make it. It took us 7 years to finally get in. We got in as songwriters but we were trying to make it as artists. A song we wrote in the 7th grade called “The Rain” got us that foot in the door. We didn’t even know that people wrote songs for other people.

So my best friend who was and is still Akon’s DJ let me know that Akon was working on his next album. So he played a few songs for me, and me being young and arrogant I said I can write a better song than the ones he had played. He then asked me to play the song I had in mind. I played “The Rain” and he loved it. My friend called me and told me Akon wanted the song but I was like “why would he sing a song we wrote?”

He then said people write songs for people over here in the states and Akon bought our song for $5000. That was the most money we had ever received at that time. I had a daughter catching the bus so for me I could not believe people paid that much money for a song. After working with Akon people started hitting us up asking us if we wrote songs and it just went on from there.

Respect: What is it like creating music with your brother and how R. City came about?

Theron: Making music with my brother is fun. We both respect each other’s talent and allow each other to lead in the areas that we are experts at. The good part is that sometimes we clash and the music is better because of that. Sometimes I want to do this and he wants to do something else and that friction creates this unique sound.

How we got our name R. City is because we are from St. Thomas, which is known as “Rock City”. We couldn’t legally release music under the moniker “Rock City” so we dropped the Rock and called ourselves R. City, which stands for Rock City.

Respect: When did you catch your big break? 

Theron: I would say linking with Akon is when I caught my big break for sure because it opened up a door that never closed. It was a small opening and once it opened we kicked the door down and bum-rushed our way in. The door never closed on us after that point.

Respect: Can you describe the relationship between R. City & Adam Levine of Maroon 5?

Theron: It is good! Adam Levine embraced us and Maroon 5 took us on tour with them. They are the nicest guys. I feel like I am in their debt for life if you ask me. He did not have to do a song with us, he did not have to take us on tour, nor did the band have to agree with him to allow us to come along. Our relationship is good and will remain that way.

Respect: How did working with the Pussy Cat Dolls on their “I Want To Grow Up” release come about and how did it impact you career?

Theron: That was our first hit record. We did it with Rodney Jerkins and it was originally for Britney Spears but it did not fit the space she was in musically at that time. We were signed to Interscope and my A&R at the time Erica Grayson knew we wrote songs so we sent it to her and she loved it. She sent it to Jimmy Lovine and the rest is history. We had a hit “When I Grow Up” and that was the first time people gave us our respect for charting. That led to us getting more big opportunities, so that was a big deal for us. 

Respect: As you have worked with some of pop music’s biggest stars, who are some artist’s career you have heavily influenced?

Theron: I would say people who we have worked with since the beginning of their careers such as Jennifer Hudson who’s This Isn’t Love Album we worked on. It was a Grammy-winning album. Ne-Yo did “Spotlight” and we did “This Isn’t Love “ the single. Lizzo I would have to say as well. I worked on her current album that is out. She was nominated for 8 Grammy Awards.

Out of the 8, she walked away with 3 awards. She is amazing and a really good person. I knew she was special and a star from the day I met her. At the time I was working with Rihanna on her new album, flying back and forth to Paris and London for 2 and a half years not working on anything else. But at the same time, I knew I wanted to work with her because she was so dope and did.

Respect: How has being from the Virgin Islands influenced your music career and taste in music?

Theron: We do not have segregated radio in the islands. Like in America you all have urban radio, pop radio, rhythmic radio meaning that you all have separate genres. In the Virgin Islands, we don’t. If there is a Bob Marley, Aerosmith or Little Keed song they all play on the same radio station. Growing up as kids we never really saw genres because the lines were blurry. It influenced us in a way where we would put hip hop, r&b, soul, pop and rock all in one like gumbo.

Obviously, people thought it was weird at first but then they realized that is what makes R. City unique. One time we were writing a song for Gwen Stefani and she told me that she loved the R&B melody. I didn’t even know that it was an R&B melody. I just liked it because it sounded cool.

Respect: How important is it as an artist and songwriter to have creative freedom? 

Theron: It is very important because with your art you want to make sure people see your vision. I write songs for other artists that I won’t sing so my vision is important. I might write the most gangster hood song for DJ Khaled’s album and then for my album take a completely different direction because that is simply just not who I am. Feel like in the music I want to make sure people are getting to know me as much as I can as well as my brother. We just want people to see what we stand for and what we are into and rock with it.

Respect: What Advice would you give any creative looking to break into the industry as a songwriter?

Theron: Practice makes perfect. Keep on writing and learn how to accept advice. But do not let the advice control you because everybody’s story is different. Like no one no matter what will have my story I don’t care how they try. Nobody is going to move from the Islands with $35 in their pocket. No matter what advice I give you, you have to walk your path. As cliché as it sounds, the best advice anyone can tell you is to never give up. The only people that actually who lose are the people that quit and that is for real.

Respect: What are you currently working on? 

Theron: A kid named 11:11, my good friend Dr. Luke, Mario, Usher, Lordes, A1 LaFlare (singer/songwriter) and I’m currently in the studio with Saweetie. So much love for her and her drive and work ethic. I have a different level of respect for her being in the studio with her seeing her create.

I am also working with Doja Cat on her new album. I did her records “Rules” and “Like It” Feat. Gucci Mane. I am in a space where I want to work with new people and be responsible for ushering in a new wave of talent. Kim Petras is one of the best pop voices in the world. I am super excited about her. That is where I am mentally. It is all about working with new artists.

My son Sumo and I did a kid’s album that we will release this year. He is 7 years old and I am truly excited about that. It’s called Sumo World. I am just in a great space. When I first started music I did it because I had a daughter, I was broke and wanted to take care of her my way. Now money is not an issue, and I’m making music that I love and that I want to hear.

I am ecstatic to also announce that new R. City music is coming soon!! 2020 will be a crazy year!!! 

 Be sure to follow Theron on IG @therontheron_ as he continues his reign over the music business. .

The post Theron “Uptown” Thomas: Pop Hitmaker You Need To Know appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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Since releasing her EP, Neon Nights, Tamara Saul has experienced a wild ride to acclaim. Songs like “Biggie Say My Name (Girls Love Beyonce Bootleg)” and “Pink Skies In Dark Nights” have pushed her to the forefront in a big way, with the listening public clearly willing to embrace a young singer-songwriter with an experimental interest in hip-hop, smooth R&B jams and soulful pop classics.  Tamara spoke with RESPECT. about her musical inspirations, dream collaborations, upcoming projects, and what she hopes to achieve with her music.

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RESPECT: What’s it like in Croatia, and when did you decide to start exploring music?

Croatia is facing some serious issues right now, in terms of corruption, human rights, working class rights, unemployment, but, I don’t know if it’s in spite of all of that, I see some positive changes when it comes to the music scene. There are great people doing wonderful and inspiring things. I didn’t decide to do music, I just had to do it. There were times I felt as an outcast but music was my thing, music made me feel happy and special, music was something that people knew me by. I would record live shows by Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Usher, R. Kelly, watch them and try to do what they did. Later on, I tried songwriting because I felt I needed to express myself.

Your music is very far removed today’s contemporary sound. How did you develop the sound that you have?

I am still in the process, I am exploring and doing different things and I’ve come to a realization I can do whatever I want to do, so if I want to make R&B, indie pop, hip hop or whatever-you-want-to-call-it, I can do it. Every time I make a new song, I feel it’s a bigger part of me. I never think about labels and genres during the process of making my music. So, the key is exploring, your soul and your sound.

You’ve been described as R&B, but your creativity seems to go beyond that. What kind of music inspires you the most?

What inspires me is that new, fresh, crisp sound that no one has yet done too much of, if you understand me, that new sound that makes you go, ‘Wow I haven’t heard this yet!’ or ‘Wow, you’re really doing this and it’s good!’, and it makes a new path in your heart and brain. Artists like Lizzo, Barnaby, Shy Girls, Tink, ASTR, Javeon, Kelela, Debian Blak,… I also love AlunaGeorge, Fatima, Disclosure, Hudson Mohawke, Jesse Boykins III… Mish Mash. I listen to a lot of new music and artists daily. I even have my secret Youtube channel where I upload music that I like if it’s not already up. As I have less and less time I think I will have to end that love story.

How would you describe the music you make?

In colors, flavors, and scents. Sometimes it’s dark, cold, bitter, and sometimes it’s all about neon colors, tender breezes, pink skies, leopard prints, hot summer nights, sugar and spices. I guess I like to introduce feelings and other senses as a unique new dimension. I mean, it’s not new, it’s always here, but sometimes people just forget it’s there, oversee it.

Your songs seem quite delicate, you write about emotional subjects. How do you sustain a balance when it comes to sharing your life with other people?

I’m very open about my feelings when it comes to my music but when it comes to sharing my life with people on a daily basis, I’m quite cautious. Or shy? Hm, anyway, I keep a lot of things to myself, my friends and family only. I have no problem sharing my love towards cats, tomatoes and Tumblr with other people though [laughs].

What would you like your music to signify or correspond?

That I grew up on R&B, but love to experiment and bring it together with the sounds I’m hearing and feeling today. You always try to push it a bit forward, take on some new steps and bring some new sounds, and what you’re doing by that is creating and representing the sound of your time, and if you’re lucky, future. But again, that’s not really out there when I’m making my music. When I’m in the process, I just do what feels and sounds good. I love melodies and music should be fun, inspiring and interesting.

Do you have any track in particular that speaks most to that notion?

I think “Pink Skies In Dark Nights” is that song. It’s just really out there, was a bit tricky to do, cross-genre always is, but people recognized what we wanted to do and it always feels good when that happens. It’s electro, it’s R&B, it speaks for itself and I love it because it represents a new take on my music, the new path I’m taking.

Two standout tracks for me that you released this year are “Pink Skies In Dark Nights” and “Biggie Say My Name (Girls Love Beyonce Bootleg).” I think they’re totally different than anything on your Neon Nights EP.

I think that’s because I’m growing and becoming more aware of what I want to do. Neon Nights EP was everything I had to do right at that moment, but I feel that one of the tracks off Neon Nights EP that really stands out and is on that way of this different sound I took on is “Sleep It Off.” Though it’s a bit darker, colder and represents loneliness, it’s actually different than the other tracks off the EP, and shows the early stages of what I’m doing now.

“Biggie Say My Name (Girls Love Beyonce Bootleg)” opens with the line, “Hey Biggie,” which almost sounds like you’re speaking directly to him. The whole song focuses on him.  Do you think that’s why it’s connecting with so many people?

Yes, that could be it. Maybe it’s also because I speak in Biggie‘s lines and track titles, flipping them into something of my own, I guess people love when they come across something like that; it’s worldly and real. Plus, I think you can really feel my respect for him in that song. I love the original track and girls really love Beyonce, that’s a classic, I just had to express what I was thinking when I heard it – we love Biggie too, let’s not forget Biggie.

If you had five minutes with Biggie — how would you spend it?

‘Scrambling, gambling, up in restaurants with mandolins and violins’. [Laughs]

I need to ask you the obvious question, which, of course is do you have a crush on The Notorious B.I.G.?

[laughs] Of course, as any woman who loves hip-hop does, in a way.

Have you ever had any awkward moments onstage? Have you ever blanked?

Forgetting lyrics is my thing from time to time, but it always works out alright. Sometimes the audience helps me by singing along and it just all comes back to me. Sometimes I make other lyrics up right at the spot! But I think it’s really about you being there and enjoying the moment, people will feel that and they’ll forget about these “technical issues.” If it’s on the level, of course.

I saw on your Twitter that you like watching a lot of cookery shows. What’s your favorite meal?

Ha, maybe that was my thing at the time you researched. I definitely love to watch cookery shows, the problem is sometimes I end up hungry and want to eat the exact same thing I saw there. But I love sataraš. You’ll have to Google it, but trust me, it’s yummy. Sataraš is one of the main dishes in the Croatian cuisine, like salsa is to the Latin culture, in fact, it very much resembles salsa.

You spoke about “Pink Skies In Dark Nights” a moment ago. What were you trying to articulate with that?

That sometimes you just have to stay up all night, go to music festivals, enjoy love and life. It might not be everlasting but it makes you feel good at the time and you should enjoy every little moment, hot cocoa and pink skies in dark nights, duh.

Do you plan on working with DZA some more?

Yes, it’s in the plans, hanging up there, would definitely like to make it happen again! We spoke about an EP, hope we’ll manage to make it happen. He is real cool, simple to work with, I love when things go smoothly like that, plus I really love what he does, his sound is trop fresh.

At this point, do you have any dream collaborations?

Hudson Mohawke, Sango, Angel Haze,… I wish I could just have one studio session with HudMo, that would be great. Oh and Disclosure. Have your people call my people, guys [laughs].

What do hope to accomplish as a musician?

Everything I can – I am building my life around my music. I want to grow as a person, inspire other artists, make you feel what I feel, and prove other people that there’s nothing you can’t do, even if you’re ‘just’ a girl from Croatia. So, a lot of plans out there.

What’s coming up for you?

I have a new single coming out soon, with this new producer called New Mantra. As far as early 2014, I have a video in the plans, also want to do festivals again in 2014, summer 2013 was so much fun, neon cocktails and sour sugar!

For more on Tamara Saul, visit her website.

The post Interview: Tamara Saul Makes Soul for the Senses appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.