The Rundown: Francis Thomas
Words + Photos by Robert Patrick Taylor
Young, Honest and going nowhere but up; Young Francis Thomas is stepping one deep onto Houston’s music scene with a vibe full of sincerity and a heart full rage, ready to assert himself as the next runner-up to lead the youth. Setting the tone and making a statement on his now and most recent project, “NIRVANIC” the young emcee shows and proves he has a knack for projecting meaningful and melody driven music, a lot of which is inspired by the new age driven sound of the South. He leads with his most successful single, “Sobriety” that’s peeked 12k plays and growing; backed with a visual behind his personal favorite track, “Oblivious”. He’s an artist that continuous to grow and aims as high as his wings will take him.
How’s your modern life?
My modern life somewhat adequate I really can’t complain. Except for school at times this is like; keeping me busy away from my music and shit.
So when you first started making music what made you think it was making an impact?
When people started telling I had the juice behind what I was doing instead of boosting my head up like everyone else that’s trying to make music.
How did you differentiate those who were just talking in your ear to some people that were actually showing you support and seeing 10k + hits on Sobriety?
In all honesty, I was just doing this shit for fun. I didn’t start taking it serious till I was like 16. I wanted to grow for myself first and when I turned 18 years old. That’s when I started taking it seriously and I had dropped my first song “Independence Day” for my project “NIRVANIC”. Sobriety was really an unintentional song; I didn’t predict it even hitting that many plays. It was really a song on how I felt and the things I was going through at the time.
What are some goals you have in the next 6 months?
Hopefully doing shows before the year ends, and continue working on my next project “I AM IMMORTAL”. I Still have to link up with some of my homies finish and paying people off for producing. Also keep working with my friend John Ibe over some shit and his producer EZM. We got things linked up together, so that everything will be Gucci.
So what’s this wave you’re trying to create?
Something that’s just new basically. I don’t like that I’m compared to Travis Scott and shit. I feel the wave he has he didn’t start that. I feel he got it from someone else and just gave it his own flavor and that’s what I’m trying do. Like yea I look up to these people, but at the same time, it’s like I feel and listen to what they say. I feel off their vibe and give things my own originality.
"I don’t like that I’m compared to Travis Scott and shit. I feel the wave he has he didn’t start that. I feel he got it from someone else and just gave it his own flavor and that’s what I’m trying do. Like yea I look up to these people, but at the same time, it’s like I feel and listen to what they say. I feel off their vibe and give things my own originality."
So who else from Houston would you say as an influence in your music?
Low-key, Mike Jones and Z-RO. I grew listening to those two a lot on the radio also Paul Wall and Bun-B. A lot of Bun-B actually do the fact that him and my dad grew together in Port Arthur.
You think some these artist influence your style or creativity overall?
My creativity and my style, I’m a Houston baby no matter what.
You think your last project “NIRVANIC’ gained the people’s attention and the way you do your music now?
Nirvanic didn’t really put up the numbers I thought it was going to put up. Yea I promoted it, but I feel I didn’t get it into the right hands. I feel as if ; if I promoted in like New York or Atlanta or something I’d be a bit more popping. I feel people are scared nowadays. I feel like I’m slept on heavily and are given comparisons to people like Kanye and Kid Cudi or something. Yea I did gain a following but honestly not as much as I thought.
What do you feel like you’ve learned from it?
I’ve learned I’m still trying to find myself for sure. Nirvanic was an experimental project, seeing my strengths and weakness and who I am. I just know hopefully this next project will be crazy. I’ve got a lot in store and more to offer.
So on top of dropping this next project; what are some things you expect to accomplish before the year ends?
Better songs, better shows, and just seeing everybody go crazy about what I have to offer. I don’t want to make music for just a particular group of people, but for everybody. Also old niggas too they really fuck with my shit.
Follow Francis here, and stream his project, Nirvanic here. Watch his video, Oblivious below