Maps of Music

333 (2021)

Where the lyrics of 333 take you, and where it was really made.

The title is a nod to an angel number, yet the cover shows Tinashe with a third eye.

Key places

Home studio in Los Angeles (2021)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — The album was recorded independently at Tinashe's home studio in Los Angeles. The point marks the city only, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• 333: fifth studio album by American singer Tinashe
• Released 6 August 2021, independently through her own label
• Largely self-produced and written by Tinashe
• Pop and R&B album with electro-pop and house elements
• Themes: independence, self-empowerment, love, and emotional vulnerability
• Title references the angel number 333, which signifies guidance and optimism
• Cover: sci-fi-inspired image of Tinashe with three eyes amid tranquil scenery

Background

• Recorded independently after her departure from RCA Records in 2019
• Preceded by her fourth studio album, Songs for You (2019)
• During 2020's COVID-19 lockdowns she became increasingly focused on spirituality and self-empowerment
• Meditation and extended periods of introspection shaped much of the album
• Collaborators include Buddy, Kaytranada, Wax Motif, Jeremih, Kaash Paige, Quiet Child, and Kudazi
• Four singles: "Pasadena", "Bouncin'", "X", and "Naturally"

Recording

• Producing and recording her own material remained central to the album's creation
• Recorded at her home studio in Los Angeles (city-level location)
• Deluxe edition released 3 March 2022 with four additional tracks

Cover

• Cover artwork depicts Tinashe crouched amid peaceful scenery, featuring three eyes

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe on February 6, 1993, in Lexington, Kentucky; raised in Los Angeles area.
• Began career as a child actor, appearing in film and TV from 2000 onward.
• From 2007 to 2011 was a member of girl group the Stunners, founded by Vitamin C.

Career

• Released independent mixtapes In Case We Die (2012), Reverie (2012), and Black Water (2013).
• Signed with RCA Records; debut studio album Aquarius (2014), whose single "2 On" featuring Schoolboy Q was her first Billboard Hot 100 entry.
• Later albums Nightride (2016) and Joyride (2018) followed; left RCA in 2019 and released later albums independently.
• Released Songs for You (2019), 333 (2021), BB/Ang3l (2023), and Quantum Baby (2024).
• "Nasty" (2024) reached number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Rhythmic chart; "No Broke Boys" remix reached number 36 in 2025.
• Eighth album Popstar (2026) debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200, her first US top 10 album.
• Known for R&B-tinged pop and alternative R&B, often self-writing and self-producing her work.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Clash called the album a sparkling display of personal evolution, praising its artful production and Tinashe's faultless vocals
• NME gave four out of five stars and said the album furthers her narrative of being whatever she wants to be musically
• Pitchfork named 333 her best work to date
• Stereoboard described the album as adding to her catalogue of diverse, listenable R&B, but wrote that it levels out at mediocre
• AllMusic said 333 sees Tinashe truly settling into independence
• Stereogum praised the cohesiveness of the album compared to her previous works
• EastMojo described the album as catchy but criticized its lyrics as mediocre
• Metacritic: universal acclaim, with a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from 5 critic scores

Records

• Debuted and peaked at number 175 on the US Billboard 200
• Vibe ranked it No. 2 on its list of The 21 Best R&B Albums of 2021
• Spin ranked it No. 9 on The 30 Best Albums of 2021
• Uproxx included it in The 50 Best Albums of 2021 and The 15 Best R&B Albums of 2021
• Pitchfork selected it for The Best Progressive Pop Music of 2021
• 34th Street placed it at No. 5 on The Best Albums of 2021
• Okayplayer ranked it No. 16 on its year-end list

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Deluxe edition released 3 March 2022 with four additional tracks
• Tinashe performed "X" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on March 16
• The 333 Tour had Rei Ami as supporting act and visited Europe and North America
• Tinashe said she had sent material to Ariana Grande during the album's promotion
• "Shy Guy" briefly experiments with a jungle beat for just over a minute

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

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