The Newest Face of Street Pop

Since his debut, TML has been unstoppable. His music reflects raw talent, grit, and the undeniable rhythm of Lagos life. Born and raised in Ipaja, his journey into music knows nothing about privilege just pure hustle and the necessity to create and be heard. Turning pain into passion and hustle into rhythm, his sound—a fusion of urban struggles, joys, and the drive for success—connects deeply with listeners who find pieces of themselves in every lyric.

TML Vibez’s rise to recognition has been swift, with four EPs and multiple singles to his name since his debut. He is currently gearing up for the deluxe of his EP “Pawon Boys,” which is set to be released in the coming days. His authenticity remains unshakeable, and as he continues to ascend in the music industry, we can’t help but wonder how far his sound will go and the global impact it’ll have.

Notesphere: Saw you recently teased some new music on Instagram. What’s coming next? Is it a single or part of this coming project?

TML Vibez: It’s part of my next project, which is Pawon Boys Volume 2. It’s a whole vibe, and I’m excited for people to hear it.

Notesphere: Nice! I really liked the sound you had with Volume 1, especially tracks like 365 Days Remix with Balloranking and Wavy—it had such powerful energy. What should we expect from Pawon Boys Volume 2? What vibe are you aiming for?

TML Vibez: It’s a mix of everything, but I’m definitely staying true to myself. The vibe is fresh, different, but still me.

Notesphere: I can already feel it. You’ve come a long way from your first track, right? When did you first realize, “OMG, I’m about to make it as an artist”?

TML Vibez: Oh yeah. Honestly, from the very start, I was ready for this. I was incredibly happy to finally see my dreams coming true. It’s something I had been ready for and was excited to do.

Notesphere: That’s dope. So, when your first song Goated came out, was the reception what you expected? Or were there any surprises?

TML Vibez: It was what I expected. I knew the song was going to be a good one because people really liked the vibe. The energy clicked, and people responded really well to it.

Notesphere: What challenges have you faced in the Nigerian music industry that others might not know about?

TML Vibez: Being an artist in the Nigerian music industry means being fully prepared from the start. You have to face everything—good and bad. It’s not always a smooth journey. Even when things seem to be going well, there are moments where you feel like you’re not doing enough. It’s not always about falling short; sometimes, it’s a sign that it’s time to level up.

Notesphere: What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far?

TML Vibez: That moment was when I started performing at shows and seeing people’s reactions. I realized I was on the right path when I couldn’t just walk down the street without people recognizing me—sometimes even crowding around me. But it’s more than just recognition. Getting show bookings, seeing people buy tickets to watch me perform, and feeling the energy of the crowd—all of that made me feel like, yes, I can really do this.

Notesphere: Growing up in Ipaja and freestyling, hoping you’d make it out, and compared to now seeing you actually do this—how does that make you feel when you think about it?

TML Vibez: You know, for every hustler out there, everybody wants to, like, be at the top. So it is something I always wished and prayed for. Seeing it happen is a dream come true, and I pray every hustler out there—God will make a way for everybody.

Notesphere: I’m happy. I’m happy God made a room for you. And now, going forward, speaking of what you always said about your new project coming and you bringing in new vibes—since your debut in 2023, you’ve been on a roll with your projects, from Timilehin to Xin Mao, and now Pawon Boys. How do you keep up the momentum and stay relevant in such a fast-moving industry?

TML Vibez: Oh, firstly, I know what my people like. I know the sound I give people that made them like me from the start. So I always stick to that .

Notesphere: Speaking of staying relevant, do you feel any pressure to appeal to a global audience? Do you feel the need to change your style for international listeners?

TML Vibez: It’s a balance. I stay true to my roots, but I know that growth means blending my style with global sounds. It’s about creating something everyone can connect to, no matter where they’re from.

Notesphere: You’ve got a signature style, not just in your music but in the way you dress. What role does fashion and visuals play in your music?

TML Vibez: Fashion is huge for me. It’s part of the energy I give off. Your style reflects who you are as an artist. People connect with both the music and how you present yourself, and for some artists, their fashion gets more engagement than the music.

Notesphere: Out of all the EPs you’ve released, which one has been your favorite to make?

TML Vibez: Honestly, all of them are special in their own way. But the one I’m about to drop stands out for me. The process of creating it has been different, and it feels like a major step forward.

Notesphere: Most of your songs seem to be based on real-life experiences. Is that the case, or do you sometimes create stories for your songs?

TML Vibez: Yeah, most of my songs are based on real-life experiences. Not just my own experiences, but also those of the people around me. I get inspiration from my friends and conversations we have. When I talk about myself in a song, or something that happened to a friend, a lot of people can relate to it. Sometimes the songs are about other people too, not just me.

Notesphere: Do you have more love songs, or do you lean more toward songs about hustling or overcoming challenges?

TML Vibez: Right now, I have more hustle songs. But I enjoy making both. My journey started with hustle tracks, freestyles about the hustle, and everything that comes with it. That background gives me the inspiration to create a lot of other songs.

Notesphere: It’s great to hear. For your upcoming project, can you share any features or artists that will be on it?

TML Vibez: Hmm, it’s dropping in the next few days, so we’ll see, haha.

Notesphere: What’s the relationship like within Vibez Inc., and can we expect anyone from Vibez to be involved in this project?

TML Vibez: We keep it a family thing first, and then business follows but Hmm, no, not on this upcoming project.

Notesphere: Last question—what do you think is the biggest misconception people have about street music or street pop artists?

TML Vibez: A big misconception is that people outside the streets don’t always get street music right away. They might vibe with the energy but not fully understand the message because street music is raw. It’s about the hustle, the struggle, and real-life experiences. For someone who’s never had to hustle, the music might not hit the same way. That’s why street artists often balance their projects—staying true to their roots while creating songs that resonate with a wider audience. The industry is evolving, and street artists are bridging that gap.

Credits
Creative Director – Director K
Production Company – PriorGold Pictures
Photographer – Tope Adenola
Producer – Leke Alabi-Isama
Line Producer – Pelumi Adeshina
Production Designer – Anita Ashiru
Hair Stylist – Dricky
Makeup Artist – Uchechukwu Obidike
Interviewed by – Peniel Uma
Editor-in-Chief – Peniel Uma