TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe announces debut solo album ‘Thee Black Boltz’

Posted On January 29, 2025January 29, 2025

Tunde Adebimpe, the singer of American rock band TV on the Radio, has announced the release of his debut solo album, Thee Black Boltz, and shared the new single ‘Drop’.

Produced by Abebimpe and Wilder Zoby, Thee Black Boltz features contributions from his TV on the Radio bandmates Jaleel Bunton and Jahphet Landis. It promises to see Adebimpe navigating the perils and pitfalls of the human condition, “in all its forms, under all its stressors, both big and small.”

Alongside the album announcement, Adebimpe also released the Landis-produced ‘Drop’, an anthem in which the musician addresses some of life’s challenges, asking pertinent questions, such as, “Will I feel it when I drop?”

The single also came accompanied by a visualiser, with illustrations showing Adebimpe beatboxing the introductory section before the lyrics appear on the screen. “My life’s just a dot / On a timeline / And my soul / Is fading tonight,” he sings among the softer, understated synth-lead arrangements.

‘Drop’ follows the previously released single ‘Magnetic,’ both of which will be featured on Thee Black Boltz. ‘Magnetic’ was Adebimpe’s first single after signing to Sub Pop, and it was accompanied with a self-directed music video featuring the singer performing in an alley with a dancer.

Adebimpe is best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of TV on the Radio, the New York-based art rock group with whom he has released five albums. The band recently wrapped their successful comeback tour, with additional plans to perform in the 2025 festival circuit at Just Like Heaven and Kilby Block Party.

The group has historical links to some of the biggest names in the business, including David Bowie, who collaborated with them on their song ‘Province’ from 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain. A surprise request for anybody, let alone a band working on their sophomore album, collaborating with Bowie wasn’t something that seemed possible until one unexpected phone call at a petrol station altered their trajectory.

Recalling the meeting, Adebimpe later reflected: “We were at a gas station and Dave [Sitek] got the phone call and hung up the phone because he thought it was our friend Julian pulling another joke. ‘Yeah, you’re David Bowie right.’” He continued: “He called him back two more times and said, ‘No, I’m really David Bowie.’” They later returned the favour with an endearing cover of the late singer’s ‘Heroes’.

Thee Black Boltz is set for release on April 18th, 2025.

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