This week’s #tinashetuesday feature:
In case you had no idea how long Tinashe has been throwing out bangers, you need to go way back in time and listen to all of her previous work. Her music catalog is way more expansive than the credit she receives for her mainstream projects, and I want to share 2013’s Black Water mixtape with you – which features one of my absolute favorite Tinashe tracks of all time (that you may not have even heard of before).
Keep in mind, Black Water was not just her first – or even second – body of work. This chick has been grinding on the low and this is actually her THIRD mixtape you guys. It’s got 13 solid tracks, with features and production help from the likes of Dev Hynes, Travis Scott, and of course – herself. She does it all and this project more than solidified her position in the music world as a writer, vocalist AND producer.
From this record spawned one of my top 3 Tinashe songs and videos of all time. The song alone is already enough to put me over the edge, but there’s something about this video that is so direct and engaging. She literally means “don’t stop lookin’ at me” and sells it in this cut-and-dry, DIY-style video shoot.
We’re getting hair-whips, we’re getting non-stop choreography, and did this bitch just say “bout-it, bout-it”? I CAN’T! And while I don’t like to compare artists and their influences, I can’t help but think of female hip-hop choreography trailblazers like Janet, Aaliyah, Mya, and Ciara when I watch her dance. Tinashe has clearly earned the right to be in that category alongside the best of the best.
Go ahead and listen to Black Water in full below! And trust me – even if you’re a new fan working your way back through her music, you will be so glad you gave it a go. Thank me later!