Thomas Who? has been at this for some time and thankfully, he has caught the attention of some fantastic writers, bloggers, movers and shakers in the industry. From Dallas to Oklahoma, and soon to be beyond, here are a few of the times that Thomas Who? appeared in the press.
“Motown Records imprint Black Forum released Fire in Little Africa — an album written and recorded by a collective of Oklahoma hip-hop artists — last Friday to mark the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a violent, racist act that decimated Greenwood, a prosperous Black neighborhood home to what was known as Black Wall Street. At least 37 people were killed that day and thousands more were left homeless. For the artists behind FILA, the album is more than a creative project; it’s a roadmap to the future and catalyst for change.” – Julie Winger Watson for NPR
It’s unknown what Fire In Little Africa will do for its creators and the city it was conjured in. At the very least, it will serve as a new platform to educate the world about its tragic yet triumphant history and become a launching pad for a new generation of advocates. – Ogden Payne for Grammy.com
“As a rising cornerstone of Oklahoma City hip-hop’s next decade, Thomas Who? has plenty of mindbending, dexterous verses in his catalog to substantiate his place on the leaderboard. However, when he boasts his catchphrase — literally “I rap better than you” — it isn’t for the ego trip. On the contrary, it plays as a sincere challenge to inspire healthy competition in the scene. If a wordsmith can go toe-to-toe with him, he wants to meet them. After all, iron sharpens iron.” – Evan Jarviks with Oklahoma Gazette
“My symbolic Hybrid Cures are the sound of my children laughing, my wife’s smile, the security the people I love have generating from them when they are around me. My Hybrid Cures is the first time my words and instrumentation dance in perfect harmony. I know that all may sound artsy fartsy, but I’ve survived enough, tough guy shit to be able to be artsy fartsy.” – excerpt from Uncovering Oklahoma by Dennis Spielman
“Humility and self-awareness. I am just as cognizant of what I can not do as I am of what I can do. That is why I am an avid collaborator. I like being a part of things that would not traditionally involve me. My talent has made a place for me in those scenarios. The humility is being ever aware that what I possess is a gift and it is my obligation or duty to share that with the world. My contribution to society is offering a soundtrack to your everyday life experiences through the lens of my story.” – excerpt from Voyage Dallas
“Splash gave me the ability to look into the mirror and say, ‘Say, bro, just have a good time,’” Who said. “Let me just be honest and know that, yeah, I enjoy Talib Kweli, but I also listen to DaBaby. I’m not going to act like both of those things aren’t happening.” – excerpt from Oklahoma Gazette by Jeremy Martin