wndr
twns
about the album
The WNDR TWNS album was an idea I pitched to Chriss Zoe, a talented friend of my wife, over dinner at our house one night. I envisioned a 90s R&B hip hop duo of sorts—music that could be performed at a soul food restaurant.
Nothing too high, nothing too low; music you could nod your head to, beats you could tap your feet to while having a conversation with friends over dinner, or music you could 2-step to through the restaurant on your way to the bar or restroom. That's what I wanted to capture.
Chriss said she was down, and this is what we made the following week. We recorded the album at will.i.am's studio in Los Angeles, adding a special touch to the project.
The name "WNDR TWNS" came from the old superhero show "Wonder Twins," where the brother and sister, Zan and Jayna, combined their rings to activate their powers by saying, "Wonder Twin powers, activate!" Jayna could transform into any animal, while Zan could become water in any state. They were extraterrestrial twins from the planet Exxor, and their pet monkey Gleek assisted them in their crime-fighting activities.
I felt like together, Chriss and I could unlock more of our musical powers, and that's how we got this name.
Life happened and this ended up being the only music we made together, but we are talking about linking back up to reactivate our powers.
Adventure Awaits.
with love + imagination
-MR. TOMONOSHi!
behind the music.
Happy Birthday
Recorded on my birthday, this song feels like a house party straight out of a 90s John Singleton movie. You can visualize the scene: pulling up in a jeep with no roof, hollering at the women, walking into the house, two-stepping while shaking hands with the homies, bamboo earrings, and colorful fits. It's very cinematic.
Sky High
This track sounds heroic, like a superhero anthem. The character smokes one and drifts off, imagining himself flying to kick the antagonist and his homies' asses in an animated, imaginary world before snapping back to reality with one of the homeboys telling him to pass the blunt.
Dancing Shoes
I imagine the crew crip walking in an empty grocery store parking lot after winning a fight they didn't think they could win. It's a celebration, capturing the joy and triumph of the moment.
Vibes
This song would be the sex scene in the film—a classic moment of finally getting to kiss the nuns of your neighborhood. It's sexy and cool, adding to the overall vibe of the album.
Rav 4
This song feels like the end credits of a movie, flashback moments of a crazy day.
CONCLUSION
The idea of a movie through song is the undertone of this album. I wanted to shoot music videos to follow this narrative, with Chriss and I playing brother and sister in the film. We never did, as life happened, but the vision remains.