Meet Tommy Richman, aspring opera singer turned viral R&B hitmaker
As a music enthusiast who has been following the industry for quite some time now, I must say that Tommy Richman‘s story is truly inspiring. Coming from a broken home and moving back to Virginia, he managed to find his footing in the world of R&B music. Meeting Brent Faiyaz and signing with ISO Supremacy label was just the beginning for this young artist.
In the year 2022, Tommy Richman returned to Los Angeles following a previous, unsuccessful stint which resulted in him temporarily residing in his mother’s basement in Woodbridge, Virginia. During this time, he stayed at an affordable hostel located in Little Tokyo, paying just $26 per night.
The singer remarks now, ‘Things were really tough,’ reflecting on an unsettling experience. He had a neighbor nearby who would bang on his door with a hammer to frighten people passing by. In a similar situation, when a friend asked to use the communal bathroom, he advised against it, suggesting they relieve themselves outside instead.
Despite the gloomy surroundings, Richman – famed for his mutated R&B hit “Million Dollar Baby” that topped the charts this past summer – exudes a comforting sense of nostalgia as he strolls into the building’s foyer on a recent afternoon.
He remarks, “I recognize this scent,” as he settles onto a worn-out couch under a faded oil painting. Clad in loose leather pants and with his hair hidden beneath a knitted cap, the 24-year-old surveys the room as if it’s a relic from a past existence – a notion that isn’t far-fetched, considering all the events that unfolded during the past 18 months since he used to sleep here.
At the beginning of May, the song “Million Dollar Baby” by Richman quickly gained popularity on TikTok and soared to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, trailing only Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight.” Over 21 weeks later, it remains within the top 15 of the chart due to its strong performance in streaming and digital sales, generating over $63,000 during the week ending September 12, as reported by the music-industry publication Hits.
Richman stated this week on X, ‘This thing is truly feasible.’ I recently purchased a house for my mother using some earnings.
Currently, a singer known for his gravelly falsetto is set to launch his first album titled “Coyote”. He’s hoping that the popularity of “Million Dollar Baby” will help establish a sustained career, something that has eluded many pop stars who rose unexpectedly from TikTok sensations. (A moment of silence for Arizona Zervas following “Roxanne”.)
Richman expresses his appreciation for the video-sharing app TikTok, stating that it’s significantly impacted his life. However, he notes that when songs become popular on TikTok, there can be a negative perception associated with them, as if they are just ringtones. He emphasizes that this isn’t representative of him or the music he aims to create. Instead, he’s focused on producing full albums—artistic masterpieces, in his words.
In simpler terms, “Coyote” provides some support to his claim. This 11-track album, filled with hazy disco rhythms and twisted electro-soul sounds, demonstrates a songwriting ability that resembles Lionel Richie and Prince during the “Dirty Mind” era. One of the tracks is called “Whitney,” as it seemed fitting because it sounded like a Whitney Houston-style song, according to Jonah Roy, who collaborated with Richman on the album after they connected through social media messages a few years back.
Drawing inspiration from the captivating world-creation of Kanye West during his prime and the retro-futuristic sound production by Pharrell Williams, both fellow Virginians, Richman aimed to craft “a dark, sparkly, spacey funk odyssey” with his work titled “Coyote”. This endeavor also encompasses a series of visually arresting music videos, such as the one for his song “Devil Is a Lie”, which was filmed partially at the Hollywood topless club Cheetah’s.
Richman commented about a place, reminiscing on his recent outing with the rising country-rap sensation, Shaboozey. Known for his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, which has been number one on the Hot 100 for eleven weeks straight, they visited when it was Shaboozey’s birthday. However, Richman wasn’t fond of the spot, Poppy – a bottle-service joint on La Cienega. He disliked it because it was crowded, like sardines in a can. His friends were looking at him, and he felt apologetic. But then Shaboozey announced, “We’re going to Cheetah’s!
× Richman’s energy in his videos and during his recent rowdy live performance at the Roxy (where he tore off his T-shirt while performing “Million Dollar Baby” and then performed it again) has a certain raw, gritty, and slightly unconventional feel that is reminiscent of some of this year’s popular pop acts, like Chappell Roan and Charli XCX. The term “rebellious Justin Timberlake” might describe him well.
Richman chuckles and says, ‘Is this what I should expect?’ referring to the grungy state of the hostel. He playfully nicknames it ‘Dirtbag Justin Timberlake,’ finding it quite amusing.
Richman’s current musical style is quite different from the operatic path he initially envisioned during his time at New York’s Manhattan School of Music, where he was likely one of the top three tenors among his peers after high school. He’s pleased that his new music doesn’t reveal much of his operatic training, as he explains, “It’s beneficial – I’m not aiming to be Josh Groban. I don’t want it to sound overly technical.
As a teenage musician, Richman initially shared his songs online. Later, he moved to L.A., leaving behind music school and accepting a friend’s offer of a room in Glendale for networking purposes. However, the host experienced a dispute with his roommate, causing Richman to move back to Virginia. When he returned home, he encountered R&B singer Brent Faiyaz, who signed Richman to his ISO Supremacy label last year and took him on tour as an opening act.
Richman, Roy, along with other musicians and producers within their close-knit group, began creating the project “Coyote.” They recorded music wherever possible, according to the singer. The vocals for the shimmering, Michael Jackson-esque track “Temptations” were laid down in a closet, and “Thought You Were the One,” a smooth slow jam, was sung while on holiday in Hawaii with his mother. The singer explains that his mother was sleeping at the time, while he was recording in the bathroom. Notably, one of the singer’s tattoos bears his mother’s name, Jeni.
Speaking as a fan, I believe the reason “Million Dollar Baby” took off on TikTok could be attributed to the authenticity of the initial video clip I shared on the platform. It showcased my team and me working diligently in the studio, creating an organic connection with viewers that resonated strongly.
The producer explains: “It was an authentic instant, and the audience recognized that truth,” he says. “They saw Tommy dancing, then the camera moved to me with a disheveled hairdo and wearing a sweatshirt. It was like: ‘Here are some genuine guys creating something fantastic.’
Yet Richman acknowledges that the essence of TikTok virality remains a mystery. “This was literally off an algorithm,” he says. “It was like some weird glitch in the system.”
According to Richman, his transition into early fame is going smoothly due to maintaining a close-knit group of friends. He mentions that he primarily communicates with around 13 individuals, although occasionally his phone will light up from an unexpected communication from someone familiar. “Even my sixth-grade girlfriend got in touch: ‘Hey, I’m proud of you!’ I can hardly believe it was Grace Fisher!
Additionally, he had the opportunity to collaborate with his greatest inspiration, Pharrell, during a recent visit to Paris. As Richman puts it, “We encountered him at Louis Vuitton,” where the musician is also a creative director, “during the Saturday morning of Fashion Week.” Richman continues, “Our meeting lasted approximately two hours, involving the creation and experimentation of new beats. It was amazing.
× Richman’s name has been mentioned as a potential nominee for the Best New Artist category at the Grammy Awards in February. He would be thrilled to receive a nomination, but emphasizes, “I don’t care about winning. There’s a lot of politics involved in actually winning a Grammy.” Despite this, the numerous classic R&B influences on his song “Coyote” could appeal to older voters who are fans of artists like Bruno Mars and Victoria Monét.
In the Roxy show, I encountered individuals who seemed to be around my mother’s age, and they were there as admirers of the singer.
As a devoted admirer, let me share some exciting news: Richman himself has shared that he’s currently immersed in the creation of his next two masterpieces! One of these upcoming albums will veer towards the realm of alternative rock, while the other will delve into the world of hip-hop. In a quirky twist, the ever-changing nature of what resonates with audiences in this TikTok era feels more like an invigorating freedom to me!
He expresses his confidence by stating, “Since no one among these recording companies seems to understand their business, I feel assured that I’m on the right track.” He continues, “Because I have the freedom to release anything I create, it is ultimately up to the audience to determine whether it becomes popular or not.
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2024-09-27 13:33