Regrettable Collaborations: Tinashe Revisits Unfortunate Musical Alliances

by Enaysha Thompson | Sep 27, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert | 0 comments

Image redit: DFree / Shutterstock.co

In the world of music, collaborations can often propel an artist’s career to new heights. However, for the multi-talented singer and songwriter, Tinashe, some past partnerships have been a source of regret. Specifically, her 2015 collaborations with controversial figures, R. Kelly and Chris Brown, have recently come under scrutiny.

Tinashe’s Music Career: A Brief Overview

Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, popularly known as Tinashe, is a well-known American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her unique blend of R&B, pop and electronic music, combined with her dynamic stage presence, have established her as a prominent figure in the music industry.

During an interview with the Zach Sang Show, Tinashe expressed her remorse over her past collaborations with R. Kelly and Chris Brown, both of whom have faced allegations of abuse. These collaborations date back to 2015, a time when Tinashe was just breaking into the industry.

Tinashe collaborated with R. Kelly on the song “Let’s Be Real Now”, a track featured in R. Kelly’s 2015 album, “The Buffet”. Reflecting on this collaboration, Tinashe expressed deep embarrassment. “I literally block out that R. Kelly song from my mind. That is so embarrassing. That is so unreal that I even have a song with R. Kelly,” she said.

Another collaboration that Tinashe regrets is her 2015 single “Player”, where her then-record label, Sony’s RCA Records, decided to add a Chris Brown feature. According to Tinashe, she didn’t fully support this decision, as she saw the song as a pop track and didn’t think it required a feature from Chris Brown, who was primarily known for his R&B and hip-hop music.

In response to Tinashe’s comments, Chris Brown took to Instagram, writing, “NAME 5 TINASHE songs or die…. EVERYBODY DEAD” under a video post of Tinashe’s interview. He also reposted a video of rapper Joyner Lucas, who defended Brown against Tinashe and Selena Gomez’s recent negative comments.

Reflections on the Music Industry

Tinashe’s revelations about her past collaborations shine a light on the complexities and often exploitative nature of the music industry. Young artists, in their bid to make a mark, are often guided by record labels and management to make decisions that may not align with their personal values or artistic vision. Tinashe’s expressions of regret highlight the importance of maintaining artistic integrity and control, even in the face of commercial pressures.

Despite past regrets, Tinashe continues to make waves in the music industry. She has since parted ways with RCA Records and has released music independently, allowing her greater control over her career and artistic decisions.

Conclusion: A Lesson for Emerging Artists

Tinashe’s experiences serve as a cautionary tale for emerging artists navigating the music industry. It underscores the importance of maintaining control over one’s career and making decisions that align with personal values and artistic vision. As Tinashe continues to navigate her career independently, her story remains an important reminder of the power of authenticity and integrity in the music industry.