Tund3 shares details about his album, “Real Africa Baby” and more
If there’s anyone that’s remained consistent through this pandemic, it’s Miami artist, Tund3. The rapper has steadily been releasing quality music throughout 2020, culminating into the Real Africa Baby album released Mid-October. Real Africa Baby profoundly puts Tund3’s musical identity on full display as he was able to find a balance of both worlds on this project: the Miami trap vibes + afrobeats. Due to the heavy reception he’s been receiving, fans can expect a deluxe version of the project dropping soon. We got a chance to have a brief convo with the artist to talk about his album and much more.
So you dropped the Real Africa Baby album on October 19. What’s the reception been like so far?
It’s been pretty good so far. It’s been 3 months since it’s released and the reception I’ve been receiving is still going up. I really appreciate that.
Why did you decide to call it “Real Africa Baby”?
It’s a name that popped up in my head when I was thinking of album names. I dropped a couple of names in the group chat with my homies and that was the one we chose. We ended up building around the name. I picked some songs I already had and then started making new ones to fit. It’s pretty much saying we’re all together. “All for one and one for all”. I’m a part of you [the audience], and you’re a part of me. I’m a representative of you, which is a nod to the real African babies, the diaspora, everybody. We’re all part of one”
Without playing the songs, the first thing I noticed was that there were no features, was this done intentionally?
I did it on purpose. I like releasing my features as standalone singles but I like keeping my projects to just myself. I want people to understand me first before I start introducing others to my world.
Around the same time the album dropped, we were also learning about the #EndSars movement and what’s going on in Nigeria. You dropped an #EndSars freestyle and performed it in front of your billboard. How did that come about?
It happened organically because we went out that night and I realized that everybody I was around, was from a country in Africa. I just felt like since we’re all together, we should create something dedicated to what’s going on. It all came together perfectly.
Being heavily influenced by Miami culture, how are you able to use your Nigerian roots to create music that both sides could listen to?
The thing is, there’s not a lot of Nigerians in Miami, so I still have to find my way of getting the small Nigerian community to grasp the music from the outside. Some might not get it, but most people in Miami understand the music more. At the end of the day, I’m going to satisfy myself. Whatever ever feels good to me, is what I put out. I don’t have a calendar of when to put out an afrobeats or trap song, if it feels good, I’m going to put it out – right now.
“Keep up” and “Ketu” are the closest thing to Afrobeats I’ve personally heard you make. What made you want to create these songs?
First of all these songs were fire as hell so I HAD to add them to the album, it only made sense. It’s easy for people to understand those songs, even if you’re not Nigerian or African so that’s why they’re placed there.
Do you see yourself making more similar songs in the future?
I actually have a project coming out next year on Valentine’s day, a 5 track Afrobeats EP. It’s going to be dope.
You’re also speaking Yoruba on these records, which opens your music to a slightly different audience. Is there a fear of how your music may be judged by people not too familiar with you or your background?
Honestly, it’s however the dice rolls. I believe good music will always prevail at the end of the day.
Over half of the songs, including my personal favorites, “Transparent”, “Circles”, and “Bank”, are all under 3 minutes long. Why are they so short?
It’s like a dose of a drug, it keeps you wanting more. These days, people have a short attention span, so you give them something short and sweet and repeat that same cycle. But I do have longer songs.
How are you and the team able to release songs and videos so consistently?
With everything I do, it’s literally just 4 of us. The videographer, the producer, my main man, we just do everything ourselves. It’s not hard to figure out what you need, you just need to figure out how to do it. Once we found our groove, we just kept working on a higher level.
Speaking of your videographer, you and Wavylord are never lacking in visuals. You have about 5 music videos out right now from songs from your album. We don’t usually get that anymore not even from the biggest industry artists. Why is the visual aspect important to your artistry?
I feel like in 2020 [and beyond], people just want to SEE. Everyone is on their phones, online, on social media. Along with hearing, it’s important for people to see you. We put two and two together. That’s why I personally feel basketball players are more “popular” than football players because we can see them and easier to remember them. The same applies to musicians. At the end of the day though, your music has to be so good that people don’t even care what you look like.
Do you ever look back at your musical journey so far?
Yes…my main goal at the time was just to drop music. I just love the creating process, I like creating new songs. Half the time, I don’t like listening to my old work, I’d rather create something new and keep doing it over and over. Even if I didn’t have fans, I’d still make music, whether it’s 1 person or 1000 people listening.
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This interview has been edited for clarity,
Ayo O.
Head of Content. Somewhere between Wizkid & Young Thug.
