Tunde Adebimpe Channels His DIY Roots Into Raw Solo Debut

Tunde Adebimpe Channels His DIY Roots Into Raw Solo Debut

From American Masters: Creative Spark by American Masters | PBS

June 6, 2025 · 37 min · Season 8 · Episode 4

About this episode

Tunde Adebimpe discusses his journey of creating his solo debut album, Thee Black Boltz, and the influences that shaped his art.

TV on the Radio co-founder Tunde Adebimpe is a force of positivity. In the face of unimaginable loss, Adebimpe has channeled his grief into Thee Black Boltz, an upbeat, high-energy solo debut. You might know Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio, the band whose era-defining hits like “Wolf Like Me” helped shape the 2000s New York indie scene. Or you’ve seen his work in film and television, with standout roles in projects like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Twisters, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. But this is his first time going solo, and he’s poured years of personal loss and growth into Thee Black Boltz. In this episode, Adebimpe opens up about that journey. We learn how underground cartoonists like Robert Crumb, Joe Matt, Mary Fleener, and Maurice Vellekoop taught him to mine the personal for his art, and how a lifelong DIY punk ethos continues to shape his multidisciplinary practice. He reflects on hitting the reset button, rediscovering the basics, and finding the joy of creating art once again.

People in this episode

Guest: Tunde Adebimpe

Topics covered

  • Tunde Adebimpe
  • Thee Black Boltz
  • DIY
  • art
  • grief
  • personal growth

Keywords

  • TV on the Radio
  • indie music
  • personal loss
  • multidisciplinary practice

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Thee Black Boltz

Books & works: Wolf Like Me, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Twisters, Spider-Man: Homecoming

Places: New York

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