MacD on Music: Vibin' with Robin T. Robin

The Irish R&B scene is one that is currently growing. According to Google, we’ve given the world such renowned R&B artists as Sinéad O’Connor, Chris De Burgh and U2 (I’ve got my doubts about some of these, but why would the all-powerful internet overlords lie to us?).

Recently, Louise DaCosta got in touch to tell me about this great new R&B singer on her label DaCosta Records, Robin T. Robin is a South African born, Ireland-based singer and actor who has been playing everywhere from Nashville to Dublin over the past few years.

Most recently, Robin has appeared on Louise’s track ‘Dayo’ and has just released his own single ‘Vogue’. I met up with him to discuss his journey up to this point:

“I was born in South Africa and raised in Ireland and Spain, where I played soccer. Later I moved to the US when I was nineteen on a soccer scholarship, but I’ve been busking on Grafton Street in Dublin since the age of twelve. When I got to Nashville, I was on Broadway there every day, singing, honing my skills with the acoustic guitar, vocals and dance.”

I asked how he got in touch with Louise DaCosta: “I was hustling, but I sent out an email to Louise and asked her about ‘Vogue’ and ‘Vibin’’ [two of his own songs] and she asked could I do an Acapella for this song ‘Dayo’. I said absolutely and sent it to her and they all loved it. Her production is amazing. It came out on June 25th and it’s been doing great. It’s popular on her Spotify and on the radio here, and it’s got some Canadian radio play. It’s been fantastic.”

“Now we have ‘Vogue’ coming out, which I’m really excited about. It’s a project I’ve been working on for a long time. It’s about elegance, empowerment and confidence. It really incorporates fashion and style. What really inspired me was Anna Wintour, and the way she organised the Met Gala every year. I used to watch it and just admire the style and elegance that she’d do it with and I thought I have to capture the style and genius that she uses in this and put it in a song.”

Next, we spoke about his single ‘Vibin’’ (out later this month): “That song is very pop/R&B. It’s with [Nashville rapper] Roxo. I think the song to compare it to is ‘Peaches’ by Justin Bieber, where it’s a very laid back vibe, but it can be played in the club, in your car. People are really vibing with it, no pun intended.”

“I’d love people to listen to ‘Vogue’, not just for the commercial sense, but for empowerment, just to be confident in yourself and your style. That’s why it’s fashion oriented. You don’t have to follow these norms or copy other people.”

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I asked him how he would describe his music: “Right now, I’d describe myself as a pop/R&B artist. Some of my influences when I was a youngster, came from my father who would play a lot of Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey, and that really influenced me a lot. It introduced me to Michael Jackson, that’s how my dancing started, and then I loved Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber.

"Those are my huge musical influences. That’s how I would describe my music, those 2010s music vibes. I want to bring it back, when people seemed like they were having a great time.”

Next, he told me about his admiration for DaCosta Records labelmate Cozmic Cat: “I love, love, love, love Cozmic Cat. I’ve been in contact with her on social media following her music.

"The way she has made herself an international brand is inspiring to me, and she’s given me tips on that and on how to build my own brand up. She really stands out. She’s in Canada but tours everywhere. She’s not afraid to be herself and that’s something I want to incorporate into my music as well.”

Finally, Robin then shared his advice for younger artists hoping to make a name for themselves: “Consistency: On social media, on your craft. It’s going to be hard regardless, even if you love it, because these days everybody’s doing it so you’ve got to find a unique selling point. It’s about harnessing your craft, whether it’s guitar, piano, whatever, make it become a part of you.”

READ MORE: MacD on Music

And that’s it from Robin T. ‘Dayo’, his single with Louise DaCosta, is out now, as is his own song ‘Vogue’. Both are available on all good streaming platforms.

Now, time for the socials. DaCosta Records can be found on Instagram @dacostarecords and Robin T @robintmusic.