tv on the radio
Just over ten years since TV on the Radio last shared fresh music with their dedicated fanbase, vocalist Tunde Adebimpe has announced the release of his forthcoming debut solo album.
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Dubbed Thee Black Boltz and set for release on April 18th, the record comes following Adebimpe’s signing to the iconic Sub Pop Records in October. While the new track “Magnetic” was released at the time, the formal announcement of the new album has also come accompanied by the Jahphet Landis-produced “Drop”
Per a press release, Thee Black Boltz is not a TV on the Radio album, though the excitement Adebimpe experienced while going out on his own was similar to what he felt in the band’s early days in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. However, while his songwriting process remains the same, the previous safety harness of a full band allowing him to leave ideas incomplete did not exist within this context.
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“I’ve been doing this thing with this group of people for so long, that I can just have a vague sketch of a concept and I know Jaleel [Bunton] or Kyp [Malone] will have five brilliant ideas on where it can go,” Adebimpe says. “But for Thee Black Boltz, I didn’t have that scaffolding to hang on. That was both terrifying and exhilarating.”
On the topic of the album’s title, Adebimpe explains that it’s a response to the unease that world has experienced – ranging from a post-pandemic world and its movement towards “violent authoritarianism” – and also his own grief, including the passing of his younger sister during the record’s construction.
“It was my way of building a rock or a platform for myself in the middle of this fucking ocean,” he says of the album. “Also, it’s a good name for a cool metal band, and I think that most people would describe me as akin to a very cool metal band.”
Adebimpe reprised his role up the front of TV on the Radio last year when the band played their first live shows since 2019. Performing in New York City, Los Angeles, and London, the performances coincided with the reissue of their 2004 debut album Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes. The reissue was also complemented by the addition of five bonus tracks, which served as the band’s first release of unheard music since 2014’s Seeds album.
TV On The Radio have already made a huge return to stages, but now, at least one of their members is making a return to our screens as well.
Founding vocalist Tunde Adebimpe has taken to social media to reflect upon his latest acting role, having been cast in the new Star Wars spin-off, Skeleton Crew. Premiering its first two episodes on Disney+ today (Tuesday, Dec. 3), the new series features Adebimpe cast as the character Wendle, the father of Ravi Cabot-Conyers’ character Wim.
“Skeleton Crew tells the story of four kids searching for their home planet after getting lost in the Star Wars galaxy, and the strange aliens and dangerous places they encounter on their adventure,” the synopsis for the show reads.
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Taking to social media ahead of its premiere, Adebimpe shared a picture of himself as a young child wearing a Star Wars belt buckle. “Been about it since ‘82. Trust,” he wrote.
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“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is ON! First two episodes are up and they’re great,” he added. “INCREDIBLY psyched to be a part of this show, and very excited for everyone to check it OUT. Huge congrats to all involved, it’s a very special one.”
Adebimpe’s acting career stretches back to 1998 with a number of voice acting roles and short film appearances. While his acting roles became lesser as he focused on his work with the Brooklyn-based TV On The Radio, appearances on the likes of Portlandia and Adventure Time took place alongside the band’s career. More recently, he’s showed up in films such as Marriage Story, Ultrasound, and 2024’s Twisters.
His latest role in the Star Wars universe takes place just months after the long-awaited return of TV On The Radio following a lengthy hiatus.
Having released their last album by way of 2014’s Seeds, the band performed sporadically until 2019. In August, the band reactived their social media before announcing a number of reunion shows for New York, Los Angeles, and London throughout November and December. Preceded by a couple of surprise shows, the group’s tour began at New York City’s Webster Hall on Nov. 25.
Currently, founding member Dave Sitek is not performing as part of these live dates, though a press release asserted he remains part of TV On The Radio.
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