Tommy Richman’s highly anticipated debut studio album, COYOTE, was finally released on streaming platforms on September 27, 2024, through ISO Supremacy, under an exclusive license to PULSE Records.
The 11-track project marks Richman’s return to his roots, with the rapper presenting passionate records featuring close peers and collaborators. Just hours before the release of COYOTE, Tommy dedicated the album to the individuals he “started out with”via a post on X.
Collaborators on the album include Trevor Spitta, Paco, Zachary Moon, and mynameisntjmack. However, Richman’s COYOTE does not feature his breakout chart-topping singles, Million Dollar Baby and Devil Is A Lie.
In an exclusive interview with Billboard Magazine in July, the rapper discussed his impact on the music industry, reflecting on the immense attention and commercial success he gained following the viral hit MDB.
“This is a big record, but this s–t doesn’t define me. I’m using this as ‘We’re here. We arrived.’ Not as ‘We made it!’ This is the start of a run”- Tommy Richman.
Analyzing Tommy Richman’s Debut Studio Album ‘COYOTE’
The COYOTE album comprises an 11-track LP with a total runtime of 36 minutes, showcasing production support from Jonah Roy, John Wehmeyer, Keesh, and others. It includes previously released lead singles Thought You Were the One and Whitney as part of its official tracklist.
Richman’s debut studio album leans more towards R&B, with elements of punk rock and hip-hop woven into the sound. The rapper’s lyricism throughout the project delves deeply into his recent success and rise to fame. Below are key themes explored in COYOTE:
- Family
- Trauma
- Struggles
- Failure
- Growth
- Maturity
- Success
- Wealth
- Ambition
- Relationships
- Love
- Heartbreak
- Intimacy
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy)
Opening with a track titled ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, Tommy invites listeners into a self-reflective lyricism with uplifting production.
Throughout the track, Richman dives into themes of growth, success, loss, and relationships, beginning with lines like:
“I’m back on my own / Don’t know where to go / Which one can I choose again? ‘Cause I don’t wanna lose a friend / I don’t wanna lose a friend / But all good things must come to an end / I said, ‘That’s just how things go’ / That’s just how things go / ‘Cause I’m back on my own.”
WHITNEY
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy, John Wehmeyer, and lim0)
Next, listeners are re-introduced to WHITNEY, which was released earlier as the final lead single for COYOTE.
This song features vibrant R&B sounds that complement Richman’s high-pitched vocal style. Despite some lyrical imperfections, Tommy’s delivery and the ethereal production enhance the upbeat feel of WHITNEY.
“If we’re made in the image of God / If we’re made in the image of God / Why do things get odd? Why do things get odd? / I don’t know, I said, bitch, I don’t know / So, let me just understand this, understand you, yeah / I can’t think of so many ways to try to give you some chances, baby.”- Tommy Richman on ‘WHITNEY’.
TEMPTATIONS
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy and Keesh)
Next, Richman presents TEMPTATIONS, which presents old-school R&B inspirations mixed with energetic drum beats and vibrant vocal performances.
Focusing largely on a deteriorating relationship, Richman notes his partner’s “bad intentions”prevent any chances of reconciliation, as expressed in the bridge:
“And I know you think that I could change your life / But you got bad intentions, baby / Oh, bad intentions, baby, now / I said don’t think about me (Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh) / Don’t think about mе now, said don’t think about me (Woo, ooh-ooh) / Don’t think about me now (Ooh-ooh) / If you drill it in my head one time, I don’t think I could give you one more chance.”
WHISPER IN MY EAR
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy, John Wehmeyer, lim0, and Kavi)
The track WHISPER IN MY EAR stands out prominently in the album, showcasing a transient production that highlights deeper lyricism.
This hook is extremely catchy, where the rapper reflects on past relationships, hinting at a tendency to suppress his desires with excess and substance abuse:
“I wish that I could live forever / Just to think of all the things that we did together / I’m feelin’ like the weather man / You’re oblivious, you’re not really clever, man, yeah / Whisper in my ear just for the one time, yeah / Baby, I cannot control the blurred lines / But you’re counting me out / But you’re counting me out.”
GIVE IT ALL
(Production Credits: John Wehmeyer, lim0, and Kavi)
The upbeat track GIVE IT ALL showcases a transitional nature with fun, R&B-influenced beats and rich vocal deliveries.
Thematically centered on love and relationships, Richman expresses a desire to spend quality time with his partner. Key lines include:
“We hang out in the boulevard, oh why? We gotta make it true, oh why? / I’m thinkin’ ’bout it every night, every day / We don’t gotta play / But I don’t wanna turn around, turn around / ‘Cause you don’t gotta stay / ‘Cause you’re keepin’ my mind so clear again / You’re makin’ me chase my fears again.”
TENNESSEE (Feat. Trevor Spitta x Zachary Moon)
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy and Mannyvelli)
TOMMY RICHMAN collaborates with fellow artists Trevor Spitta and Zachary Moon on the track TENNESSEE, delivering an electrifying performance highlighted by bouncy rhythms over smooth beats.
The seamless transitions and engaging verses explore themes of success and wealth, with rich lyricism, including Trevor Spitta’s memorable lines:
“Baby, I know everything, pinky ring, not a wedding ring / I was ten years old and then I blinked and I was seventeen / Baby, time move way too fast, come here, enjoy some better things / What you know ’bout being nauseous? Never nervous, like my women Japanese.”
THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE
(Production Credits: 1stFrom92, lim0, Jonah Roy, and Mannyvelli)
In THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE, Tommy Richman utilizes his characteristic high-pitched vocals combined with a smooth Jazz-infused, R&B instrumental.
This track reflects on a past relationship and the myriad situations that led to its breakdown. Richman’s poignant lyrics include:
“Maybe there’s a chance if I pray every day, I’ma get what I want to / I dreamed last night, you’re in my head / You’re always sticking with me even when I don’t want you / I’m treating you right, not doing you wrong / I know you won’t forget that night, it’s been so long / Looking at my face, my eyes are a maze.”
LETTERMAN (Feat. Paco)
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy)
With engaging bass lines, LETTERMAN serves as another R&B love song, highlighting Richman’s affection for the woman who holds significance to his “Letterman”jacket.
Teaming up with Paco for this track, Richman shares intimate moments through lyrics like:
“Oh, girl, put your hands on me / ‘Cause I gave you my letterman now / Yeah, ’cause it’s 32 out / It was cold outside in Washington, D.C / It’s been a few weeks since you seen me, but I never left your mind (Your mind) / You don’t forget that night, you took me to the speakeasy / Talk to me nice and easy, talk to me nice and easy, girl.”
GREEN THERAPY
(Production Credits: Maverick Fabela, Kavi, and Jonah Roy)
GREEN THERAPY is an introspective and emotional track characterized by a slow tempo that enhances Richman’s vocal performances.
This memorable piece recounts personal experiences, diving into family trauma, failure, and loss, framed by Richman’s relationship with his father:
“Thinking ’bout the time that I was seventeen, I coulda been anything, anything / I tell my mama sorry ’cause I threw it away / I had to leave home for a long time / I said my father always yelling at me every night / It’s true, we didn’t get along / I had to pick the pieces up, had to start a tone / I had to smack him in his face and tell me leave me alone.”
VANITY
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy, Max Vossberg, and SpizzleDoe)
VANITY begins with vibrant keys and synths, showcasing Richman’s pride in his lifestyle and success throughout the ninth track of his album.
The lively track embraces elements of old-school R&B and hip-hop, creating an engaging sonic experience:
“Get on straight, I don’t get no money / Been on the road, I’ve been on tour / This s–t’s not funny / Seeing just everything that I’ve been through, but you wanna go back home / I’m heart attack prone / Come on, just look what we’ve done, oh-oh / We’ve got a lot to do still / I’m sayin’ it’s thirty till you break me down / You’re talkin’ about dirty millions breakin’ me down.”
seems like time moves forever. (Feat. mynameisntjmack)
(Production Credits: Jonah Roy, Max Vossberg, and Curtis Waters)
The final track on COYOTE, titled seems like time moves forever, features collaboration with close friend mynameisntjmack. Together, they deliver exceptional vocal performances over a synth-driven instrumental, conveying profound lyricism centered around time, growth, failure, doubt, and ambition.
The energetic beat, filled with rapid drum patterns and ethereal sounds, effectively wraps up Richman’s debut studio album. Notable lines from seems like time moves forever include:
“I never was clever, it seemed like time / Could move on forever, is it perpetual? Could it be better than what I put on the pedestal? Could I do better than puttin’ bread on the medical? Could I do better than all the s–t that I said to you? Could I do better? / I think that I could / If only time could move on forever / Could it move on forever?”
Tommy Richman’s debut studio album, COYOTE, offers a captivating listening experience that explores the rapper’s journey in the music industry, reflecting on his past mistakes and challenges.
While there are instances where COYOTE showcases Richman as an artist still honing his unique style, the album’s production is commendable. Coupled with his emotional vocal performances and 80’s R&B nostalgia, Tommy’s debut LP becomes a notable entry in his discography.
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