When it comes to defining great artists, the late legend Michael Jackson once said:
I think a great artist should be able to create any style, any form, anything from rock to pop to gospel to spiritual, just wonderful music where everybody can sing it.
Additionally, another notion that can set great artists apart from the others is authenticity. Not only do great artists showcase a genuine passion and ambition for their work, but they also tap into a level of vulnerability that allows them to eloquently connect with their deepest emotions and put them on display. Art that rings authenticity is sure to resonate with people.
Tommy Richman is an artist that showcases both these senses of versatility and authenticity, and this couldn’t be more evident than with his latest track, “Selfish.”
At midnight, the Gen Z artist dropped “Selfish” on all streaming platforms, and the song is sure to leave music fanatics impressed. A multidimensional lyricist, Richman has this fascinating ability to blur the genre-confining lines in his music-almost like he creates in whatever style he wants based on how he feels.
Richman has tracks like “Wish I Never Knew You” and “Net Wurth” that give off a Y2K, pop rock feel; he has alternative songs such as “Electrify Tonight” and “Soulcrusher”; his collection includes R&B vibe tracks like “Messy” and “30 Till Midnight”-and the list can go on and on.
“Selfish,” however, is giving a different type of energy and highlights Richman’s continuous growth in the industry.
Produced by Max Vossberg along with Jonah Roy, and engineered by Itai Schwartz, “Selfish” starts out with a steady boom-bap drum beat, which is then layered with a funky guitar fingerpicking pattern. The song emanates this 70’s groove vibe mixed with classic rock-but make it modern/Gen Z.
Richman captures the listener’s attention starting out the song on a catchy chorus which he finishes with a signature declaration, “I’m so lonely” in a falsetto tone, before diving into the verses.
The composition of the song itself is pretty notable-Richman utilizes harmonic back-up vocals of himself and metric modulations to achieve this psychedelic sound that continuously switches up and keeps listeners entertained. When you get to the hook of the song, it’s almost like you’re transported to a completely different track (it kind of sounds like a calm, looped interlude) before Richman switches back to this upbeat funky style.
“Selfish” is unpredictable-like Richman-and will undoubtedly seize the attention of music executives because the song is different yet noticeable. The release of this song was a good move on Richman’s part as once again it highlights his strong versatility as a rising star.
Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, Tommy Richman always had a natural born passion for music. He began his journey making music in his mother’s basement, and started gaining national traction while in college-eventually leading him to drop out and pursue a full-time career in music. He dropped his first studio album ‘ALLIGATOR’ in October of 2022 and his EP ‘THE RUSH’ in 2023.
In 2023 Richman was also featured in fellow DMV artist, Brent Faiyaz’, album ‘Larger Than Life’ on the track “Upset.” Additionally Richman opened for Faiyaz on tour. In August of the same year, Richman became the first signee in a joint venture between PULSE Records label and Faiyaz’ Iso Supremacy label. Currently Richman has over one million monthly Spotify listeners and he’s set to perform at Lollapalooza on August 1.
In an industry that can sometimes lack originality; where it is common for young creatives to copy trending styles in order to get their numbers up, Tommy Richman is a breath of fresh air and is someone to keep on your radar. His lyrical vulnerability, genre versatility and ability to harness a sense of nostalgia in his music are all great qualities that will continue to push him ahead on his journey to success.
In an interview with Lyrical Lemonade’s Sam Morrison, Richman notes his reason for making music-a classic answer for a genuine artist.
“Honestly man, I just try to make cool shit for people but more so for me,” he said. “It’s not about the gimmicks or cliches for me. I wanna make stuff that’s palatable and listenable but also just shit I like and am interested in.”
Make sure to stream “SELFISH” out on all platforms now!
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