This week saw thee musician, vocalist and electronic composer Tama Gucci drop his latest EP entitled Almost Blue. The seven track album may have been inspired by Tama looking to the future and his potential relationship goals, but the album takes notes from the iconic time of 90s UK clubland, with the production especially taking us back to Bjork’s Post-era. We stan!

Loverboy catches up with Tama to discuss being a Barb, performing in Paris and the track that first brought him to public consciousness, his take on ‘Thotiana’.

You first came to people’s attention with ‘Thotiana.’ What was your relationship with making music up to this point?
I was always making music in my bedroom at least about 100 demos and some cover of songs that I adore. Then once I started producing that’s when I was even more in love with making original music and covers over original beats.

Besides ‘Thotiana’, what has been the biggest or surrealist moment of your music career to date?
So many surreal moments but I would say a fav for me is being able to go to Paris and perform. I never thought I would be in Paris for the first time for anything music-related and it was during Fashion week!

Let’s talk about the new EP. How did you come to the title Almost Blue?
Almost Blue came to life simply because blue is my favorite color and it’s just basically another way of saying that I’m almost where I would love to be in my career and relationships.

The first single is ‘Challenge.’ For me this word is synonymous with Tik Tok now. Tell me about writing this song and whether ‘Tik Tok’ was a factor in the title…
Ah, I made challenge as an ode to challenging somebody cute on the dance floor and I wanted the lyrics to be what is being said mentally when the eyes connect from across the room ! Tik tok wasn’t a factor in making it but after it was made I was like, ‘Wowww this is PERFECT for Tik Tok! Catchy and sexy.’

I’m enjoying ‘Show Me’. Have you been in a relationship before where your partner was not visibly politically supporting you?
Thank you! ‘Show Me’ was written during the pandemic when people were protesting in all 50 states for black lives. I haven’t been in a relationship where I felt like I wasn’t being supported but I do know a lot of people were in similar situations with friends or even romantic partners. It’s bigger and more work to do than just sharing black trauma on social media you have to physically do the work too!

The EP is really exciting. From the sound to the aesthetics, it gives me very British UK clubbing vibes – I’ve been trying to pinpoint where it takes me exactly and I keep coming back to Bjork’s mid-90s Post/Telegram-era.
Well I LOVE Bjork. Imogen Heap / Frou Frou those are my top two that come to mind! I love how simple their lyrics are. It’s easy to paint a picture mentally.

I know you are a t.A.T.u. fan and ultimately I feel they are very musically overlooked. Tell me about their lasting impact on your work and music in general.
Ah, yes, I love them so much. I think they really inspired me with their style of singing sweet but also raspy and kinda punk for me…letting go of all the “rules” and just going for it.

You also model and I saw you working with Telfar the other day. What do you look for in a brand in regards to modelling for them?
Black-owned or started brands are always a plus especially brands who are using non traditional and more unique models year round not just when they wanna cater or sale something to the gays or black people.

What’s the latest with your thrift store, Tama’s Corner. Is it online?
Yesss, Tama’s Corner is online and running only on Instagram. In the beginning it started off as a thrift store but now it’s turned into official handmade Tama merch and jewellery! Really excited about how many beautiful people have shopped with me.

Lastly we are named after the biggest-selling single of 2001 so we always ask, what is your favourite Mariah track?
My favorite Mariah track is “One Sweet Day” ft Boyz II  Men. Vocally the perfect collab and it’s such a precious song, it makes me feel warm and hopeful!

Bonus Question: I know you are a barb – what is your take on their American Idol feud. Was it real or for show?
Omg see I’m glad you asked me about this because me being a barb, it took everything in me not to say my favorite track is “Up Out My Face” by Mariah feat. Nicki Minaj. Just to throw Nicki in there because of the feud. Haha…I believe it was real just from the interviews from both parties before and after it aired…two divas on one panel? Of course there was gonna be some clashes! Lol.

The Almost Blue EP and lead single ‘Put It In Drive‘ are out now.