Tomeka Williams has used her big, booming voice to back up Seattle rap legend Sir Mix-A-Lot and protégé Outtasite. But in 2010, it’s her turn to shine.
Last month, Mix-A-Lot’s Rhyme Cartel label issued her solid rock ’n’ soul debut, “The Black Hood.”
And after a few spins, we called the 30-year-old diva to talk about her local roots and the big year ahead.
On your MySpace it says you live in Renton. But you’re from Tacoma, right?
Yes. I spent a majority of my childhood in Tacoma.
Where did you go to high school?
I went to Lincoln High School.
Tell me about some of your early musical experiences in Tacoma.
I was in a choir ensemble (the Tacoma Symphony Choir) and that’s where I started to experience classical music and singing out solo. (I sang) in the church. I attend St. John’s Baptist Church in Tacoma. … I started singing at school functions, and it just kind of progressed on to local talent shows.
From there, how did you wind up meeting Sir Mix-A-Lot?
I was going to (Tacoma Community College), and we had a mutual friend that saw me do a talent show. He said, I really want you to meet this guy. He’s a really good guy, blah blah blah. And I didn’t know it was Mix.
That was probably a big surprise.
Right. And so my father and I went up there to meet him. And I was like, “Oh my goodness! That’s Sir Mix-A-Lot.” Honestly, we had just one meeting, and then he called me a few weeks later, and we actually just started talking as friends. “What do you want in life? How do you see yourself in music?” I wanted to be something different, and he was on the same page.
What was it like working with him?
He pushes you to do more, too. Like, he’s pushed me to be more involved in the production side of it and the writing side and have more confidence in myself.
He’s going with “Aretha Franklin meets Korn.” How would you describe your style?
(Laughs) I’m no Aretha. But I would like to say that I am bringing back that soul that we once had with Aretha, like Janis Joplin. She had that soul and rock at the same time.
You actually worked with Sir Mix-A-Lot on the lyrics.
Yes, we co-wrote a lot of the songs together. And there are songs he wrote on there himself. The songs come from conversations.
What would happen is me and Anthony (Ray, aka Sir Mix-A-Lot) would go to dinner and just have these conversations about topics, whether it was something that I was experiencing or someone that I knew or something he experienced. We would just say, “You know what? Let’s just get in the studio and work on this.”
“Heroes” is one of the songs that jumped out at me.
We would do shows, Anthony and I, and we would hear from soldiers who were back, and they would tell us what they saw and how they felt. And I was just, like, we hear so much about bringing the troops home. But let’s talk about their reality, what they see and also the military wives, the mothers, the sisters, the brothers – all these people that have to deal with taking care of home while they are gone.
Where can people see you?
Right now, we’re working on doing a show some time in March. We’re trying to have it done at the EMP, just a real fun show for everybody to get a glimpse of who I am and just enjoy themselves. Right now, I just started working with the band and, you know, going over the set list.
You think you’ll swing down here?
I would love to come and perform in Tacoma. I still get my hair done in Tacoma. I go to church in Tacoma. My mother lives in Tacoma. I’m down there enough. And that’s where I’m from, so I definitely want to do something down there. And hopefully everyone will come out and support me who’s from Tacoma, too.
Ernest Jasmin: 253-274-7389
ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/tacomarockcity
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.