Photo by Jonathan Mannion.Theophilus London is quite clear: He’s giving his audience what he wants to give them. Whether it’s with a fashion sensibility that’s caught the attention of Vogue and GQ or musical collaborations with the likes of indie darling Sara Quin, London confirms he’s the one laying out his own artistic vision. Drawing on sounds ranging from Talking Heads to Marvin Gaye, London pushed out a series of well-received mixtapes that helped pave the way to a critically acclaimed major label release last year, Timez Are Weird These Days.
Even though he describes himself as a rapper, London won’t allow himself to fall in to the trappings that seemingly bind such artists to a prescribed or programmatic way of being. While boldly asserting his independence (and teaching us how to pronounce his name) on “Last Name London,” he also can take a softer approach with tracks like “Flying Overseas.”
As he prepared to bring his “Tour De Roses” show to the 9:30 Club tonight, DCist caught up with the Brooklyn-based producer/writer/rapper for a brief but informative conversation:
Could you briefly summarize who Theophilus London is and what he’s about?
I’m a songwriter signed to Warner Brothers who put out three mixtapes in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I put an EP out [Lovers Holiday] and have an album out [Timez Are Weird These Days]. I’m tall, skinny and cool. That’s about it.
At what point in time did you decide that you were going into the entertainment business?
I can’t even remember that. Maybe when I was three. The Jackson 5 were an influence.
In doing research for this interview, we came across an article that mentioned your appearance on BET’s “106 & Park” when you were 16. You got booed. What impact did that have on you and did it help play into what you do today?
It helped me make it. It put a fire in me that said, “Fuck everyone. Fuck BET. I want to do my own thing.” And I did that. I did everything I could to get stronger.
As you mentioned, you put out mixtapes prior to your album’s release. How did they help in building your buzz?
What it did was help build a whole fan base and huge following. I have three different blog sites with in-house content. All in-house social media. All in-house music. I was an introduction.
You’ve worked with artists ranging from Solange Knowles [Beyonce’s sister] to Sara Quin [of Tegan and Sara], which suggests sticking you in a singular genre classification might not be possible. How would you describe the music you make?
My music is of the moment, it’s of the time, it’s of the generation. It’s about pop culture. There are a huge of instruments and sounds I can go with. I never limited myself by saying, “I’m going to be an R&B singer all of my life.” I can basically do whatever I want. I just have to write it. I can go to Africa and write a whole conga record or be in the ‘hood or Atlanta and write a big bass record. It really doesn’t matter. I’m more of an artist of the moment. I’m not really defined to a genre.
So you’re like a sponge–soaking up your environment to create your sound and music?
Yeah. If that were a genre [Sponge], I’d be that.
What sounds were you feeding off for your latest release, Timez Are Weird These Days?
I was inspired by The Police, the Talking Heads, alternative music. I just wanted to make forward, progressive-thinking music. I wanted to make Timez for progressive, forward-thinking listeners who wanted [forward-thinking music].
A number of the articles about you focus on your personal style. Do you ever have concerns people will focus more on your image more than your music? Are you trying to weave the music and image into one product/personal brand?
I don’t think of them as two different things. I never came out and said I was a fashion designer or anything. I don’t have to get styled by a stylist. I think people were just interested and wanted to write about it. There hasn’t been an artist in a long time who had his style. People were shocked that I bought that shirt. It’s not that big deal to me. It’s my own personal style. I don’t really care. I’m a rapper. I’m just going to put out more raps and shit and if they like what I’m wearing when I take photos, I’m cool with it. I appreciate [the acknowledgment of my style].
If you were to name one track that best portrays you as an artist, what would that be?
Just one? I don’t know, man. I don’t put all of me in every track. There’s just a little bit of me in every track. I’ve never yet put all of me in a record and say, “Hey! This is me, Theophilus London!” Everything is a different fantasy in my head. It’s about describing a story or emotion or feeling that was in my head the night before.
So would you say your personality is “Take me as I am”?
No. It’s more, “Take what I give you.”
What can a D.C. audience expect to see at your show?
A lot of energy. Tons of new records. Basically, the best shit that’s in town that night, that week, that month. The tour is called “Tour De Roses” because it’s a pure beginning for me. It’s a new sound and a new year.
Theophilus London will be at the 9:30 Club tonight with Phony Ppl. $20. 7 p.m.
