Thutmose Redefines Optimism and Identity on New EP ‘Heaven On Earth’
Heaven On Earth is out on all streaming platforms now.
Photography by Legendary Shots
Brooklyn-based rapper-producer Thutmose is forging his own path and breaking barriers in a fiercely competitive industry with his newest EP release, Heaven On Earth. The 29-year-old Nigerian-born artist burst onto the scene with his viral freestyle over Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE,” showcasing his lyrical aptitude – and setting the tone for his rise. Soon after, he was handpicked to support Billie Eilish on her fully sold-out Don’t Smile at Me tour, an experience that solidified his status as an artist to watch.
With works such as his 2018 project Man On Fire, Don’t Wake Me in 2019, and Best of Both Worlds: Side A&B to working alongside legends like Rema, Erykah Badu, Pink Sweat$, Desiigner, Steve Aoki, and more, Thutmose’s music has struck a chord with audiences around the globe, having amassed over 400 million streams across major platforms, all fueled by broad playlisting such as Spotify’s New Music Friday, African Heat, Afro Hits, and more, as well as Apple Music’s New Music Daily, The New New York, Africa to the World, to name a few – all culminated by a GRAMMY nomination for his work on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack with his single “Memories” being the only independent artist featured.
His latest release, Heaven On Earth, takes listeners on a journey, both innovatively and introspectively, with its masterful exploration of sound and emotion, cementing his place as a pioneering force in the modern music scene, “a stand-out artist who, in a world where the lines between genres and cultures are increasingly blurred – not only crosses those lines but redraws them, creating a new map for others to follow.”
At just under 15 minutes, the six-track project includes hits like “Lagos 2 Vegas,” “Mo Hennessy” featuring Roku 145, and [my favorite of the EP] “No More Goodbyes” featuring Sofiya Nzau – a Kenyan singer-songwriter, best known for her viral 2023 House hit “Mwaki” featuring Brazilian DJ Zerb; blends the rhythmic vibrancy of Afrobeats, as heard in tracks like “Front & Center,” with an energetic pulse of House beats – drawing from Thutmose’s dual upbringing slash cultural fusion to create a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Thutmose spoke with 1202 MAGAZINE about the release of Heaven On Earth, his progress as an artist, and his desire to set the pace for future artists like himself.
When did your music journey begin, and what inspired you to start?
I believe my music journey began when my mom bought me my first laptop during my junior year of high school. It didn't take long before I started freestyling over whatever songs were on the radio at that time, which definitely started my obsession with making music, so I want to give a big shout-out to my mom lol.
Being from Lagos, Nigeria, and having grown up in Brooklyn, NY, Do those two worlds shape how you make music?
Absolutely! I like to call it the best of both worlds. The culture I grew up with in Nigeria was very religious, but there was always singing and dancing. Brooklyn gave me a different perspective with its rich history in hip-hop and fashion.
Walk me through how you created 'Heaven On Earth,' as well as some of the emotions, feelings you relive, and obstacles/challenges you experienced while trying to bring the EP to life.
While trying to write this EP, I was going through some changes internally with people around me, and the conversations I was having kept bringing me back to this idea of mentality, and connecting with people with a similar mindset to me. Moving away from the usual ideas of talking about the struggles of growing up and basking in sob stories, I wanted to do the opposite and surround myself with people who are aiming for the best of what life has to offer because I believe how we see the world, is how our lives are shaped. So, it was important to put that energy of heaven on earth into this EP.
Is there a meaning behind the title? And talking about some of your new songs off the EP, is there one specific track that holds special significance to you, and why?
This project is about staying optimistic in a world that is always unpredictable. Life should be a celebration, and some of us don’t always see the beauty in it. A lot of us might feel like we're going through hell, or even if you've been through hell, I believe you can still experience heaven on earth. It's a reminder to look at the bright side because perception is reality, so I want to help influence people to look at life that way. Most of us can relate to the struggle, but my goal is to inspire the future generations of people that look like me to dream bigger just like those that came before me did.
Does ‘Heaven On Earth’ have an overarching theme, or is each song referring to a different experience?
I write a lot of love songs in general, but in this EP I added a twist to it. A lot of the songs are written within the context of luxurious settings, from Vegas to high-end clubs. Although there are some struggles with the idea of love and relationships, I wanted to tell a story with a luxurious undertone. Just because we might be going through hell doesn't mean we don’t deserve a piece of heaven in the meantime.
Is your lyrical style and sound shaped from/influenced by personal experiences or scenarios, whether musical or non-musical?
Yes, not always from my personal experience, although some are. I try to take inspiration from life, whether it is friends, what I observe in everyday life and more. My sound is rather shaped by upbringing. Some people might categorize me as an eclectic artist. In this project, I'm paying homage to my roots, being born in Nigeria but growing up in Brooklyn. It’s a great fusion of both worlds with Afro cadences/sounds mixed with House, which I consider more Western culture.
Do you also make beats, or do you work with producers?
I don’t make full beats but co-produce with other producers. Sometimes, I bring references or write music to drums and then build it out, but on this EP, I was excited to work with so many great producers. From Nosa Apollo, LDG, Tim Suby, Bongo, and a few amazing producers from Toronto!
From working with Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and more to having a GRAMMY nomination under your belt, how has that helped further your career?
I’m thankful for everyone who has supported me in my journey as an independent artist. I would say it has inspired a lot of people, and if they make amazing music, the right people will find it. I love all these people, but I would say to others the most important help you can get is helping yourself by staying dedicated to your craft so that when the opportunity comes knocking, you’ll be ready.
Are there artists, if any, that you want to work with in the near future?
Probably too many to name to be honest, I'd love to work with Rema again or Ayra Starr, Asake too, so many great artists from all over the world that I could name.
Is there any genre you haven’t experimented with that you want to try?
I definitely would want to write a full R&B album in the future, but I guess that's about it lol. Who knows, there might be a crazy surprise further in my career where I do something unexpected.
What do you think makes you unique compared to other artists?
What makes me unique is my mindset. Besides taking pride in being an amazing writer, I also have an entrepreneurial mindset that has allowed me to take the independent path and still be able to accomplish some really great things in the music industry. That’s one thing I appreciate about myself because it's harder than it looks.
What advice would you give aspiring artists trying to find their voice and make an impact in the music industry?
Honestly, do what you want to do; if you’re going to fail, let it be on your own terms. One life to live, take a risk, dream big, and go do something really amazing.
What can we expect from you after ‘Heaven On Earth’/ What are you looking forward to as your career continues to take off?
I’m currently working on my next EP ha-ha. I already have a name for it so I'm living in the future as I'm gearing up to release Heaven On Earth. Hopefully doing some touring, I'd love to go back to Nigeria and travel the world.
