An exclusive interview with Tinu about her music, her life, Michael Jackson and her shiny new stripper, er, fitness pole!
While her new album, "Addicted" is coming soon, we are already addicted to Tinu!
Because she grew up listening to the African Jazz and Funk music of Fela Kuti, this globe-traveling Brooklyn native's music posses a worldly and uplifting melody. Her latest single and video, "Wild Things" permeates a "high on life" feeling that encourages the listener to look inward when seeking to get high. It's music with a message, but Tinu's style and sex appeal, keeps it contemporary and easily appreciated by all.
As we bounced back and forth with each other's schedule, this interview has been two months in the making. But now that it's finally here, it was well worth the wait. Enjoy.
read the full interview...
Six Questions
Tell us about the "pole" you just got for your bedroom. Is it an official stripper pole? Have you been practicing your moves? :-)
I wouldn't call it a stripper pole. The preferred name here in the city is "pole fitness". In fact strippers can't even do the moves we do. We concentrate on core usage, muscle toning, new ways to express yourself listening to music while strippers concentrate on shaking "it" and getting paid an absolutely nothing else. There is a big difference. Otherwise why would they offer it at well-respected gyms all over New York? I don't like gyms and really not into it. I got into it while researching ideas and moves for my Wild Things video at a private class here in the city. I had no idea of such thing as a fitness crave in New York since I was never the gym type to begin with and don't work out. Since taping the video I can't seem to stop attending the classes! It's a massive addiction! I just discovered it as the new Yoga/Pilate in town, just about every girl who thinks she can move is taking classes, and anyone else who thinks she has a few fat to burn is climbing the poles. Well known gyms such as Crunch Fitness centers and many others all have pole fitness work out classes now. For me it's an excellent way to express myself when dancing, it's a whole new way to listen to music and interpret it via pole climbing movements. Think of it as ballet on poles! It is so in right now. I heard talks are in place to take it to the Olympics since it's mainly muscle work of your inner core and upper body strength that really isn't too far off from being a gymnastic performer. To have one in the house is not a bad idea. I can learn harder moves in the privacy of my own bedroom before making a fool of myself in class. Every girl should get one. What better way to enjoy one's high heels than having the feet way up the air, legs apart and staring at yourself the mirror upside down! Some shoes are just not made for walking! LOL!
Speaking of poles, the "Wild Things" video is VERY sexy. Does that sexual energy come natural for you?
It's all about inner thought. The video denotes not to use drugs but to use things already given to us by God free of charge, things such as your high senses. I think the listener and viewers can interpret it as they see fit. It was fun making the video I must say. At that time I was still a level one student in the pole class hence the reason you didn't see much of me on the pole. In a few months I hope to be bold enough to do something simple recorded on a video and posted on the site www.tinuonline.com, which currently has the Wild Things video playing there at the moment. I hope I do it justice. Again let's hope I will be bold and good enough to do a solo act on the pole for all to see. Gosh, the pressure! LOL!
"Addicted" is going to be the new album. What was the inspiration for the album?
It encompassed all things addictive to me at the time I wrote the songs to the album. Each song referenced events that happened in my life at that time. For instance I wrote "Shoeholic" while rearranging my shoe closet and realized the hundreds of shoes I had collected over the years, most of which I didn't even know I had. So I started singing to them especially when I remembered the stories surrounding one particular shoe. It wasn't long before I started to write down the lyrics that I thought were funny. I can't wait to do the video to this song. "Not The Devil" was written right after I had an argument with a family member and "You Want Me" I wrote while my mind was sexually charged after having a glass of wine. Each song has a story. I wrote what I felt like at that time and without rules or concern for consequences. That is what art is all about, freedom to express ones self. I did just that.
What were you doing when you found out Michael Jackson had passed away?
I was in Harlem getting my hair braided into the tiny sizes all the way to my buttocks, very long. Believe it or not I used to do it myself on my own head, which would take me a full day. This time around, working on the album promotion and press there was no time for that luxury so I headed to Harlem. Just about when we were almost done by 6pm we heard the news. My heart sank, I was in tears. I just kept thinking of all the pain that poor man had been through towards the end of his life, and then I thought of my father that passed away at the age of 49. It was a very bad day for me. I had to cancel all of my evening events, one that included watching Femi Kuti (son of legendary Fela Kuti) perform on Prospect Park in Brooklyn. I went home and cried some more. I felt empty for days afterwards.
Apart from your music career, you are involved in quite a few other areas in entertainment. You are a self-professed "Jane of All Trades"- does being involved in so much eliminate a social life?
It's quite the opposite, it adds more to my social life! The more I am involved in the more eventful and exciting my day gets. You see, I get bored easily. I am a highly charged person, never a dull moment in my day to say the least. Hey, if not now to do all you can do, then when? No one knows of tomorrow. We must all make haste while the sun shines. By putting things off you might miss out on it entirely. I enjoy everything I am involved in. So yes doing it all keeps me happy and gives me something to look forward to. Life is too short!
If you could give ONE valuable piece of relationship advice to women, what would it be?
Happiness! That is, women are responsible for their own happiness. Everything from career to sex life is your responsibility, not your partners, not your kids, not your friends. You have to take charge of your life, run with it and make no apologies for it. My personal motto, life is beautiful, live it to the fullest!
###
Other great interviews:
- Brandi Michelle Bourgon
- Lauren Jacobs
- The Stocking Vixen
 Quote this article on your site
|
