For a Gemini like Billy Dean Thomas, pairs just come naturally, and song releases are no exception.
Coupling electro-hip-hop tracks “Tina TurnUp” and “To The World,” the rapper shares a double-single titled 2 the World today (June 7), the followup their 2018 EP Rocky Barboa.
Still a proud, self-proclaimed “transplant” from Harlem, the hip-hop artist has put down significant roots since their move to Boston two years ago, and 2 the World offers sturdy proof; between collaborating with Boston producer Rilla Force on the tunes, and Thomas’ overall musical reinvention since moving to Massachusetts, the Double|Single presents the vision of an artist mid-revelation.
“The double-single mirrors a-side/b-side records, but it’s more of a symbol than anything else for me, playing off the number two,” Thomas tells Vanyaland. “I’m a Gemini, my birthday’s on the 22nd, and there’s a lot of reoccurring doubling in my life. It’s a testament to being all things at once as opposed to subscribing to one label. Working with Rilla Force has resulted in a new sound for me, and he suggested releasing the tracks together since their vibe is similar. We didn’t want to release them one by one, we wanted them to both hit at once.”
Double down with Thomas below.