Tommy Richman has taken the internet by storm in the last few days after releasing his new song, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY.” Released Friday (Apr. 26), the record is already firing on all cylinders on streaming because of its funky sound and Richman’s seamless vocal riffs.
Last week, Richman first teased the track on TikTok using a VHS-style recording of him and his team grooving to the record. It has since earned 9.5 million views on the popular social media platform, and is quickly creeping into the conversation of possibly being a song of the summer contender.
With an undeniable bass and sticky hook about winning a girl over, “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” could be foreshadowing Richman’s future success, as he sings: “You rep my city for so damn long/ But you still don’t notice me, my sound next/ VA next, I’m at they neck, I’m runnin’ up a check.”
Despite his small discography to this point, Richman is equipped to make noise. A shifty singer who can jump between alternative and R&B with the drop of a hat, Richman has a formidable team behind him — most notably Brent Faiyaz after the two joined forces last year through the singer’s creative agency, ISO Supremacy.
“In launching my new label ISO Supremacy and partnering with PULSE Records, we’ve created this platform to give artists like Tommy Richman a creative home with the ability to scale global impact and a team that is accessible who keeps creativity at the forefront. We’re going to continue to make history,” added Faiyaz.
Here are six things about the “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” singer Tommy Richman.
He’s From Woodbridge, Virginia
Like his mentor Faiyaz, Richman hails from the DMV, most notably, Virginia. In an interview with the Miami New Times last year, Richman spoke on the difficulties of local artists from Virginia trying to break into the industry.
“There’s a lot of passion through the scene back home, and I feel like it’s because a lot of people don’t get a fair shake,” Richman told the New Times. “It’s really hard to have your voice heard there. That’s probably why a lot of people from Virginia left, like Pharrell and Timbaland. It’s kind of key for an artist to leave their nest. That way, you can appreciate where you come from.”
He Began Taking Music Seriously Before His Sophomore Year of College
In an interview with Lyrical Lemonade in 2022, Richman detailed his decision to pursue music before heading back to college. According to him, after receiving positive feedback from a song he made titled “Pleasantville,” he decided to go full-throttle and make it a career.
“Going into my sophomore year, I made a song called ‘Pleasantville,’ and a lot of people liked it and I thought it could be something I could do,” he remembered. “Then I dropped ‘Melba,’ which was a breakup song about a girl, but it was really a breakup about leaving college. At that point I left college for music and started taking it seriously. I had to!”
His First EP, Paycheck, Dropped in 2022
Richman released his first EP, 2022’s Paycheck, which includes the project’s breakout song, “Star Girl.” Despite the bite-sized offering —the EP is four tracks — Richman displayed promise as a genre-bending artist with pop sensibilities who can flirt with rock as well, as proven on “Games.” Since then, Richman has released several other EPs, ALLIGATOR, his ISO Supremacy debut, THE RUSH and his recent two-pack SOULCRUSHER.
He Cites NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman as One of His Inspirations
While Richman has pointed to artists like Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Motley Crue as musical influences, he also seeks inspiration outside of music, especially from a certain NBA Hall of Famer: Dennis Rodman.
“He’s actually one of the most punk people ever,” Richman said to Lyrical Lemonade. “During his time, to be as metro, and athletic, and different, and fashionable and partying as hard as he did was ridiculous. I mean, he played on the best basketball team ever, was defensive player of the year, and was outside fucking Carmen Electra in Vegas every other night. I wanna interview Dennis Rodman one day. Say what you want, but the Kim Jong Un friendship is iconic!”
He’s the First Artist Signed to Brent Faiyaz’s ISO Supremacy
Last year, Billboardexclusively reported that PULSE Records partnered with Brent Faiyaz’s ISO Supremacy and formed a joint venture with the R&B singer-songwriter. Richman was the first artist under Brent’s wing and even opened up on the singer’s F*ck the World, It’s a Wasteland Tour.
“I’m grateful and amazed at the support from Brent, ISO Supremacy, and the team at PULSE Records, which motivates me,” said Richman last year. “To have the opportunity to open for Brent on his sold-out tour is an absolute honor and to sign to PULSE Records, a creative community that really understands music and supports artists, I couldn’t ask for more.”
He Appeared on Faiyaz’s 2023 album, Larger Than Life
Shortly after signing to Faiyaz’s ISO Supremacy and appearing on the singer’s tour, Richman collaborated with his DMV brethren on “Upset.” Nestled inside the latter part of Faiyaz’s album, the earworm became a favorite, giving fans a glimpse of the duo’s potential. In retrospect, the song sonically shares the same funky elements that make “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” a home run.
