To be the new face of the Australian urban scene is risky business. In the past, channeling the R&B vibe within Australia has never proved too successful. Signed to Sony and proving the industry wrong with his debut single Set It Off going triple platinum, reality contest star Timomatic is souring through the charts aiming for global success. He speaks with 100% about his migrant experience in Australia, his insight into the globalization of the music industry and that time one of Flo Rida’s entourage members got arrested on the road.
The Nigerian-born Australian moved here with his parents when he was ten months old. “It was interesting, being in Australia at the time,” Timomatic says. “I was the only black kid at school, apart from my siblings. Sometimes it was tough, but all in all it was a good experience. My dad was studying at the time and Mum was working too. They had four kids so we were on Struggle Street for a while.” Describing how he settled into Australian culture, Timomatic laughs. “Being kind and funny,” he explains, “I was always funny as a kid… Kids don’t really get taught that well how to deal with people who are different, it’s something people mature with. So it was tough for a while, but as I grew up and pop culture began to influence school kids, black became cool. Suddenly I was the cool kid, but I was still isolated, just up on a pedestal.”
His earlier involvement in music was initially entrenched in African traditions, particularly percussion. From there he became involved in his church’s music team where he was drumming and singing before he began writing music. At 16 he made the decision to pursue music professionally. We came to know him through reality contestant based shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Australia’s Got Talent. When asked whether these types of shows limit artists, Timomatic says, “Nah, the opposite. Australia’s Got Talent helps to form a very creative packaged kind of artist. Given the free nature of the show, I was up against magicians and other unusual types of performers. This show embraces what you are and exactly what you want to do unlike other shows like [Australian Idol] where you’re told what to do. I performed original songs and developed my own choreography. I was involved in every kind of creative level, which was great.”
His debut single Set It Off was certified triple platinum by the Australian Industry Recording Association, which was a response most were happy, but surprised about. “I was expecting a good response,” he explains, “But I did not know how it would go. It was my debut single with a label so I didn’t know what to expect. Considering the climate of Australian music, I was one of the first R&B artists to come out, which hasn’t worked in the past. It was a big step for everyone and a big deal for Sony to trust us.” Commenting further on the Australian music industry he says, “I think it’s in the best state it’s been in, in a long while. We are learning and we are adapting to where the global scene of music is. The world is embracing global music, and artists who are from different parts of the world. Most of the biggest DJs in the world are not from the states. [There is definitely a] globalisation of the music industry. Gotye has been shining light in the past year.”
Honing in on elements of performative singing and dancing, he looks to none other than Michael Jackson, “I watched the Spike Lee Bad documentary and Quincy Jones made the perfect comment, ‘Michael created the perfect balance between science and soul.’ For me, Michael is the blueprint of all entertainment.” Padding his resume with an impressive collection of openings for major artists including Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida during the Australian leg of their world tours, Timomatic has been mastering the arena performance. He is also seeing the dark side of the moon when it comes to being an entertainer, specifically that of scandal. “When I was on the tour with Flo Rida one of his dudes was arrested for having a taser gun along with some weed,” he explains. “There were cops running up and down all the corridors of the hotel. It was crazy.”
BY TAMARA VOGL
