Tinashe has publicly criticized her former label, RCA Records, in light of the viral success of her latest single “Nasty.” Speaking ahead of her performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she celebrated her independent success, stating, “Oh my God, this is so exciting, it’s like my first Billboard entry by myself.” She credited hard work and her fans for the achievement, asserting, “We didn’t need them. All you need is hard work, good fans, and talent. I know they gagging.”
“Nasty” marked Tinashe’s first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100, landing at No. 90. She reflected on her past collaborations with controversial artists like R. Kelly and Chris Brown during her time with RCA, expressing regret. Tinashe blamed the label for those collaborations, saying, “You think I wanted to [do those songs]?” She expressed embarrassment over her collaboration with R. Kelly, adding, “That’s so embarrassing… Yes, that was labely! And I was so young too.”
Regarding her collaboration with Chris Brown, she revealed, “That was a song that we all wanted to be this big moment, this big single… I really don’t feel like we should put Chris on it. That doesn’t compute to me. But I don’t know!” Tinashe highlighted the lack of control she had in those situations, emphasizing the label’s influence.
Tinashe’s statements underscore her independence and autonomy as an artist post-RCA, while also shedding light on the challenges faced by artists navigating the music industry. Her success with “Nasty” stands as a testament to her determination and talent beyond the constraints of a major label.