Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Thomas
Hi Stephen , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music has been an integral part of my life since birth, but what most people don’t know is that I am my mother’s miracle baby. The only way they could get me to move inside the womb was by drinking Mountain Dew or playing music—often both. Music was the definite solution. After I was born, the only way to keep me quiet was by playing music videos, earning me the reputation of being the best baby. Despite the challenges of the industry, music has always been my destiny.
As a child, I learned to play various instruments, starting with drums and piano, and later exploring guitar and bass. Anything loud and noisy captured my interest, especially drums, which became my first love. During school plays, studio equipment was brought in, and because of my vocal talent, I was chosen as the lead singer for the soundtrack. By the fourth grade, I knew that recording music was my passion.
As time went on, Myspace became my late-night networking hub. I would stay up until 3 a.m. networking and head to school by 7 a.m., all while searching for a studio to record in. My ambition, dedication, and determination were at an all-time high. One night, I sent a message to a company run by Dana Lafond, asking to record. He responded late that night, and our conversation led to me recording in his home studio, which became my home away from home. As we got to know each other, he told me that out of almost one thousand unread messages, mine was the only one he opened. Talk about timing.
In 2010, I worked on my first album, “Life of the Abundance,” with Dana. It was a learning experience where I developed my sound, education, and understanding of the music business, entrepreneurship, and life. I learned how challenging and manipulative the entertainment industry can be, but also what it takes to succeed and maintain integrity.
Fast forward to today, I am a multi-genre, universal artist, actor, business owner, and I have worked on a couple of films as an assistant director. I have released several albums and numerous singles, such as “Outstanding” (a remake of The Gap Band’s “Outstanding”) featuring UNK, renowned for “2 Step” and “Walk It Out,” “Feening For Love,” “Let’s Dance,” and “Life Equals Purpose (Peace. Love. Unity).” These releases have earned me five Grammy Considerstions, and I have charted as high as No. 2 on iTunes alongside country star Blake Shelton. I have also had the privilege of sharing the stage with notable artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, Kevin Gates, and many more.
Recently, I released a new song, “Back Home,” which has been a tremendous success. It has a modern alternative pop twist, appealing to fans of MGK and Yungblud with its fresh indie-rock sound. “Back Home” went viral on TikTok, amassing over 300K views in less than 24 hours and reaching over 700K views within 72 hours across three videos. The song received recognition from legendary Grammy producer Billie Lennox, known for collaborations with icons like Michael Jackson, Anthony Hamilton, and Beyoncé. Additionally, the Amazon Music commercial for “Back Home” skyrocketed to over 964,000 views, nearing the 1 million mark—an achievement in just a couple of weeks since its release, which I am incredibly excited about.
“Back Home” has broken into the Top 200, Top 120, Top 100, and is rapidly climbing toward the Top 70, solidifying my status as an active rock/mainstream radio charting artist alongside icons such as Metallica, Ghost, Linkin Park, Omens, Green Day, and Billie Eilish. This has been our reality for four consecutive weeks, and I am eagerly anticipating the future trajectory of this song.
Join me on this musical journey by streaming “Back Home” on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Amazon Music, and other major platforms. Follow me on all social platforms @stephentmusic to stay updated and connected.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey has certainly not been smooth. Not only am I a music artist, but I’m also an entrepreneur with an organization called “Creative Hearts Enterprises” and a label, Creative Hearts Entertainment. As many know, it’s never an easy road. Running your own business involves so much—making decisions, adapting to constant changes, facing financial struggles, being your own investor, and the list goes on.
For me, one of the biggest challenges has been securing the financial backing needed as an independent artist. Few understand what it takes to break a record, market it effectively, and get it out there. Coming from a background with limited resources, I had to make things happen on my own. When bringing people on board to help, if they dropped the ball, I had to step up, take the shot, and accept whether it hit or missed.
In this industry, one of the most costly aspects is having the necessary marketing funds. Balancing priorities and striving to do things right as a person can be incredibly difficult when you’re relentlessly pursuing a dream that won’t let go of you. Even when you’ve tried to let go of it. Despite moments of frustration and the urge to give up, I’ve persisted. I’ve faced setbacks, wondered how certain tasks would get done, and struggled to find the strength to keep moving forward.
Talking things out with my mother, confiding in close team members, saying a prayer, and pushing forward have been my anchors. Just when I’m at my lowest, someone or something inevitably comes along, urging me to keep going, even when everything in me wants to quit. I once heard someone say that success is like an accident—you can’t predict when it will happen, but when it does, it’s impactful.
The hardest question I’ve grappled with is when success will ultimately arrive, a question that remains elusive for all of us. Yet, I’ve seen some successes, though not quite reaching where I aspire to be. Assembling the right team—individuals who grasp your vision and can help manifest it—is indispensable in any industry, including this one. Another formidable challenge has been possessing one vital component while lacking another, underscoring the critical need for a balanced approach in business.
But I know that it will all come together; it just takes time. And I feel that my Time is NOW.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mentioned earlier that I am a Multi-Genre and Universal artist. Many people use these terms, but few can truly embody them. What distinguishes me, not only as an artist but as a creative individual overall, is my ability to execute across these genres. It’s about my approach—few can shift perspectives to see things from multiple angles, not just two or three. By the time I’m finished, I’ll have covered seven different genres, already exploring at least five.
I am a musician, songwriter, producer, creative consultant, and someone deeply committed to connecting with people. What I’m most proud of is my approach to writing and creating music—I’ve never confined myself. Many artists limit themselves or allow others to box them in. I take pride in breaking out of those constraints. Few are willing to step outside their comfort zones or embrace new ideas. To truly stand out, you have to set yourself apart. You must do what others fear or hesitate to attempt.
I remember starting out young, and other artists who got to know me personally would often say, “You’re a risk-taker.” My mother would always tell me, “You’ll never know until you try.” So I did. Taking risks is what I specialize in most, especially when it comes to creativity. Masterpieces often emerge from the most unexpected sources and ideas.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Oh yes! Covid showed how the world can change its ways and come together when things get tough, in ways we should have been doing all along. It also highlighted the importance of valuing each other. In life, I always tell people there are three things we can’t get back: Time, Family, and Friends. We must cherish each other in every possible way.
Additionally, Covid allowed my team and me to realize how relevant we can remain solely through the internet. Many people started closing their brick-and-mortar locations and transitioning to remote work—it was astonishing. Therefore, I decided to minimize unnecessary overhead and focus predominantly on digital platforms, utilizing our essential office spaces more effectively.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stephentmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephentmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephentmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/steveotvinc
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stephentmusic1/back-home-stephen-thomas?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://symphony.to/stephen-thomas/back-home
Image Credits
Josh Hanna
Tony Gilliam
Stephen Thomas
