Maps of Music

Joyride (2018)

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

Tinashe's third album took more than three years to finish, and she reportedly recorded an estimated 100 songs along the way.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

Joyride: third studio album by American singer Tinashe
Released 13 April 2018 through RCA Records
Follows her 2016 album Nightride
Development spanned over three years
Collaborators include Max Martin, Metro Boomin, and Boi-1da
Three singles: No Drama (featuring Offset), Faded Love (featuring Future), Me So Bad (featuring Ty Dolla Sign and French Montana)

Summer 2015: joined Nicki Minaj for US concerts on the Pinkprint Tour
September and October 2015: joined Katy Perry's tour in the South American leg of the Prismatic World Tour
Flame was the first lead single, a decision initiated by her label
After Flame failed to achieve the expected results, she said she took back the driver's seat
The title track was initially co-written with Travis Scott and Hit-Boy
Communication with Scott became difficult after he began dating Rihanna, who later acquired the track
The song ultimately went unused

Writing and recording went through several phases
January 2015: reported to be working with Prescription Songs writers and producers, Max Martin, and Taylor Parks
July 2017: confirmed work with producers including Metro Boomin, Boi-1da, and Charlie Handsome
Once producers and writers joined, she worked in the studio daily, which she described as a creative turning point
She stated that three different versions of the album exist

Cover art made by Amber Park
Tinashe poses in a futuristic gown with a spike-covered jetpack emerging from her back
The title reflects her career as an adventure, a journey, a ride, following a year of travel and experiences

1	Keep Your Eyes on the Road (intro)	1:10
2	Joyride	3:25
3	No Drama	3:20
4	He Don't Want It	2:52
5	Ooh La La	3:16
6	Me So Bad	3:09
7	Ain't Good for Ya (interlude)	1:04
8	Stuck With Me	3:26
9	Go Easy on Me (interlude)	0:31
10	Salt	3:49
11	Faded Love	3:23
12	No Contest	3:47
13	Fires and Flames	3:47

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.

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.

Spin: Israel Daramola wrote in a positive review that the album is a cool and sexy record and well-crafted and ambitious
Exclaim!: Ryan B. Patrick characterized it as a stop-start journey that felt like some ground had been lost
AllMusic: Andy Kellman said the highlights were filled with rich details and seductive hooks
AllMusic: Kellman also argued that Salt and Fires and Flames invalidated claims that Tinashe is one-dimensional
The Boston Globe: Zoë Madonna said the most fascinating offerings were tracks the singer recorded herself in her home studio
NME: Hannah Mylrea called the album brilliantly good fun and mainly worth the two year wait
MusicOMH: Ben Devlin wrote a mixed review, saying the concept set up by the intro and title track was discarded for No Drama
The Independent: Roisin O'Connor wrote a mixed review, saying the album was missing the strong, catchier elements that helped Tinashe rise in the first place

The title track was co-written with Travis Scott and Hit-Boy; Rihanna later acquired it, and Tinashe later regained the rights and reworked the piece without Scott's contributions
Superlove was an intended lead single released 15 July 2016, with a music video directed by Hannah Lux Davis
Company was an intended second single, but it ended up on her 2016 album Nightride
The Joyride World Tour, announced 12 January 2016, was ultimately canceled so she could finish the album
She cited unexpected recording commitments as the reason for the postponement