We speak to Thehiz from Washington DC about his career thus far and his latest cutting-edge banger ‘All My Love’
Words by Chris Sharpe
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Chris) What first got you into music?
Thehiz) I've been into music for as long as I can remember. I lived in Ethiopia until I was 11, so my earliest musical influences was Ethiopian music I heard growing up. I remember noticing at a young age that I had a knack for coming up with melodies and lyrics. When we moved to the US, I got exposed to alt/rock music and fell in love with that sound. That's where I got my inspiration to make the kind of music I make today.
What do you think your role is in this world?
I believe my role is simply to love people, no matter what I do. As an artist, I strive to do that through my music. It means the world to me when someone mentions that my music has touched them.
Your latest track is 'All My Love'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I wrote the chorus maybe like 5-6 years ago, but didn’t know exactly what to do with it. One night I was jamming on my balcony and had a verse...when I got to the chorus, I remembered the one I had written so long ago. It fit so perfectly! I guess the lesson is, never throw out good ideas. You never know when you might finish them.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you family! I love you all and appreciate your encouragement! We’re just getting started!
How did you meet Jeffery David? What is your relationship like?
Funny you ask! I met Jeffery on Airbnb lol. I booked one of his listings, without knowing who he was! We’re good friends now. He’s a great manager. It’s been really awesome to have someone with his expertise in my corner at the start of my career.
Has 2020 been a productive/effective year for you?
It really was. I shifted the effort and discipline I put into recording & releasing music. I wrote & produced SUBMARINE, the song that introduced me to the world in 2020. So definitely a productive year!
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Twenty One Pilots
Where did the idea for the name Thehiz come from?
Years ago I was working for a Fortune 100 company. One guy saw my name “Hiz” in an email. He was like, “man you should tell people to call you ‘the hiz’”. I thought it was funny at the time and it kind of stuck.
What influences your creativity? How do you cultivate it?
Water. Drinking lots of water. I kid. To be honest, life influences me—the good & the bad. When I write, I try not to think about anything. Just flow and let it become what it becomes.
What are your plans for the future?
Release more music and tour!