The ad-libs on “Ironic” are another display of Tia’s adoration of anime and her masterful ability to mesh her passion for the animation art into her artistic persona in a way that feels far from forced. The rapper leans into what she calls a more “animated sound” in her added-on vocals, turning up the echo and revving up the reverb. Her first single of the year, “ATE,” which ushered in this current sonic and visual era, leans into Tia’s sensual side — a part of her persona she’s long kept to herself.
But she feels particularly empowered by her new era of music. “All of these years I’ve been going through different things, jumping through different hoops, changing teams,” she laughs, “but all of those things built me into who I am today. I can say no and not feel bad about it.” Through trials, tribulations, and “lots of trauma,” Tia has built a trust in herself stronger than any other transactional bonds. She’ll pass on anything that feels too transactional. “I just follow my gut. It might not go the way I wanted it to, but I’m still gonna get to where I want to go. I believe in myself.” Let’s not forget, Mew is psychic.
Protected by this powerful, playful aura and a hard outer shell, Tia is soft around the edges, a mother before any other persona. Her daughter is now nine years old, and the two do everything together — picnics, reading, and Fortnite included. Having cut all of her own hair off when she was in middle school, Tia encourages her daughter to have fun with her hair and outfits, using her crown and her clothing as canvases for creative expression. Many of the tracks on Tia’s upcoming project are dedicated to her daughter.
“A lot of this album is about her. As a colored woman in this industry, I want to make sure I’m inspiring her and giving her that positive motivation,” she says of her primary lyrical inspiration as of late. “I say things not only for her but for the little girls in the world. I make sure to talk about standing up for yourself and sticking up to the men in this industry.”
