two32: Artist of the month 002
Phil Osae
After initially leading the poll for TCC Entertainment's Artist of the Month, New York R&B artist TWO32 found himself slipping to third place as two other nominees gained momentum. Determined to come out on top, TWO32 worked overtime, reaching out directly to his fans, friends, and family while flooding his social media with calls to vote. His tireless efforts paid off, as the groundswell of support propelled him back into the lead to claim the February Artist of the Month honor. In an exclusive interview, the genre-bending artist discusses his musical influences, latest release "UNISON," career highlights so far, and what's next on the horizon as a rising independent talent.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED MAKING MUSIC, AND WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THIS WAS THE CREATIVE PATH YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?
“My name is TWO32, and I'm an artist above all, but specialize in singing, rapping, and songwriting. Music has been a big staple in my life for as long as I could remember, since my family is composed of both artists and music enthusiasts. I had talent early on, but didn't fully grasp that until I was 13, freestyling on the back of a school bus. I spent the years up until I graduated high school getting better at my craft and decided that I wanted to be a musician at 17 years old. The three things I recognized were that I love music as a form of expression, I have a gift, and that gift can provide for people I care for, and now here we are.”
Photo & Creative Direction: @itsrakoon (IG/Twitter)
WE SAW ALL THE LOVE FROM YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FANS DURING THE ARTIST OF THE MONTH VOTING! CAN YOU SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW MUCH THEIR SUPPORT MEANS TO YOU ON YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY?
“Firstly, I want to say that it means the world. Like most people and artists, I deal with imposter syndrome, so seeing such support from my community and loved ones was monumental. With this much faith behind me, I feel anything is possible. I know those people wouldn't have voted if they didn't honestly believe in their hearts, and that speaks volumes to me more than anything.”
Photo & Creative Direction: @itsrakoon (IG/Twitter)
AS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS OR PROUDEST MOMENTS SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER?
“Speaking on numbers, I can confidently say I've amassed over half a million streams across all streaming platforms. As for moments, in 2018, I was able to go on a fan-funded tour with some friends, and that experience alone showed me the possibilities of this path. I am eternally grateful for that.”
Photo & Creative Direction: @itsrakoon (IG/Twitter)
WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY SHOWS, COLLABORATIONS, OR NEW PROJECTS IN THE WORKS FOR 2024?
“I don't have much to say about shows because I like to make definite promises, but I do want to perform this year, so we'll definitely make that happen. What I will say is every Tuesday is now TWO's Day, where I'll be dropping a cover or TWOmix of released songs, and "777: SIDE B" is in its final phases and on its way to the public.”
FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS LIKE YOURSELF, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES?
“Remain consistent in executing your path, regardless of your surrounding emotions. If you TRULY believe in what you're doing, see it through, because often, myself and others have taken unnecessary pauses, prolonging our positioning. Love what you do. Learn to love (or at least coexist with) your work. The things you hate to do will most likely be most beneficial.”
Photo & Creative Direction: @itsrakoon (IG/Twitter)
With his authentic, vulnerable songwriting, and dynamic blend of genre-bending sounds, TWO32 is an artist to watch in 2024 and beyond. As he stated, consistency and loving the creative process are key to his drive. Fans should stay tuned to his weekly "TWO's Day" releases and the impending arrival of "777: SIDE B" while hoping for live shows to experience TWO32's talents in person this year. For those not yet familiar with this rising voice in R&B, check out his music on streaming platforms and follow him on social media to join the journey as he continues pushing boundaries and cementing himself as a formidable force in the independent music scene.
