Tunde Adebimpe Channels His DIY Roots Into Raw Solo Debut | TV on the Radio | PBS

Official website: http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters | #AmericanMastersPBS TV on the Radio co-founder Tunde Adebimpe is a force of positivity. In the face of unimaginable loss, Adebimpe has channeled his grief into Thee Black Boltz, an upbeat, high-energy solo debut. You might know Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio, the band whose era-defining hits like “Wolf Like Me” helped shape the 2000s New York indie scene. Or you’ve seen his work in film and television, with standout roles in projects like Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Twisters, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. But this is his first time going solo, and he’s poured years of personal loss and growth into Thee Black Boltz. In this episode, Adebimpe opens up about that journey. We learn how underground cartoonists like Robert Crumb, Joe Matt, Mary Fleener, and Maurice Vellekoop taught him to mine the personal for his art, and how a lifelong DIY punk ethos continues to shape his multidisciplinary practice. He reflects on hitting the reset button, rediscovering the basics, and finding the joy of creating art once again. Chapters: 00:00 What is art for Tunde? 01:51 Intro 03:06 What is DIY to Tunde? 05:46 History of TV on the Radio 08:20 Tunde's comic influences 14:08 Making Thee Black Boltz 22:03 Writing ILY for his sister 25:00 Tunde's creative process 32:42 Inspiring others to DIY Listen to more podcast episodes of American Masters: Creative Spark: https://link.chtbl.com/eOfylsfA?sid=yt How do today’s masters create their art? American Masters: Creative Spark presents narrative interviews that go in-depth with an iconic artist about the creation of a single work. Each episode offers a unique window into the world of art and the creative process of artists and cultural icons across a wide range of disciplines, from music and comedy to poetry and film. Subscribe to the American Masters channel for more clips: http://bit.ly/1JmUCu5 Enjoy full episodes of your favorite American Masters films: http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters FOLLOW AMERICAN MASTERS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanmasters X: https://twitter.com/PBSAmerMasters Instagram: https://instagram.com/pbsamericanmasters TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsamericanmasters FOLLOW PBS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pbs/ X: https://twitter.com/PBS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PBS TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbs ___________________________________ Now in its 39th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.

Added 22 Jun 2026