Exposed Vocals · Interview
Tunsi
“There’s much to gain through my music that is unfortunately considered rare.”
Some artists make music to entertain. Tunsi makes music to wake people up. The Oakland-based hip-hop artist, producer, and writer has spent years building a body of work entirely on his own terms — producing every beat, writing every line, and speaking, as he puts it, the unspoken. Rooted in the tradition of KRS-One, Public Enemy, and Nas, his sound is raw, non-commercial, and deliberately resistant to easy categorization. He calls it “underground wisdom” — a phrase that says everything about what he’s after. We sat down with Tunsi to talk about creative freedom, the repetitive burdens of everyday life, and why the best track he’s ever made hasn’t come out yet.
Exposed Vocals
Where are you from and how did you first get into making music?
Tunsi
I’m originally from the east coast of the United States and started making music after just hanging out with friends, being involved in all sorts of hip hop activities.
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You produce all your own music and write all your own lyrics — what does that level of creative control mean to you?
Tunsi
Everything. I have the freedom to remain authentic.
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How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you before?
Tunsi
Unique and non-commercial. A breath of fresh air.
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What does “underground wisdom” mean to you as an artist?
Tunsi
There’s much to gain through my music that is unfortunately considered rare.
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Which of your tracks do you feel represents you best right now and why?
Tunsi
The one that is yet to be released, because it’s the one closest to the current time.
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You mention your music has changed people’s lives — can you share a story of a moment like that that stuck with you?
Tunsi
I can see it in their eyes when I speak to them. They often, suddenly, have plans to alter their activities because they see it as pointless. This happens all of the time.
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Who are the artists that shaped how you approach music?
Tunsi
KRS, Public Enemy, Nas, and many others.
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What topics or themes keep showing up in your lyrics and why do they matter to you?
Tunsi
The repetitive burdens of everyday life. Life should matter to everyone.
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What are you currently working on — new music, projects, or releases on the horizon?
Tunsi
I’m currently working on another song, again and again and again.
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What do you want people to walk away feeling after they listen to Tunsi?
Tunsi
The desire to hear more.
