Maps of Music

Popstar (2026)

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

The album's title and cover explore the idea of the 'pop star' as both a public persona and an identity that anyone can embody.

Place unknown

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Popstar: eighth studio album by American singer Tinashe
Released 25 September 2026 through Tinashe Music, Nice Life Recording Company and Atlantic Records
Described as a pop and R&B album
Primarily produced by Ricky Reed, Zach Sekoff and Machinedrum
Preceded by four singles: "Too Easy", "Crash Out", "Melatonin" and "Pillow Fight"
Album features 16 songs

Preceded by BB/Ang3l (2023), first part of an intended trilogy, and Quantum Baby (2024)
Lead single "Nasty" went viral on TikTok
"No Broke Boys" Disco Lines remix reached number 36 on the Hot 100 in June 2025
In March 2026 Tinashe said she was "very excited" to share the new album, which she had worked on for six months to a year
Tinashe described the project as "cutting-edge, innovative" and said it blends several genres
"Popstar" was the first song recorded for the album, followed by "Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore"

Cover photographed by Hugo Comte
Extreme close-up of Tinashe's face, eyes visible through glasses, stars appearing in her irises
Tinashe said the image represents the "uncanny valley" of fame

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.

Metacritic: universal acclaim, weighted average 90 out of 100 from ten critic scores
AnyDecentMusic?: weighted average 8.0 out of 10 from nine critic scores
NME: Nicolas-Tyrell Scott gave a five-star review, calling it an equilibrium of confidence and introspection
Pitchfork: Anna Gaca wrote it is Tinashe's best and bravest yet, and the best pop album of the year
Billboard: Kyle Denis wrote the 16-track set surveys sounds including hyperpop, R&B, dance, jazz, new age, bedroom pop and a little country

Billboard 200 debut: number 6, 35,500 units in first week, 22,000 pure album sales
Her first top ten album in the United States and highest first-week sales of her career
Top Album Sales chart debut: number 4
Second week: number 51, 17,000 units
Canadian Albums Chart: number 45
ARIA Albums: number 10 in Australia
New Zealand Albums Chart: debut number 24, peak number 22
UK Albums Chart: debut number 35
Topped the UK R&B Album Chart
Scottish Albums Chart: debut and peak number 20
iTunes album chart: number 1 in over forty countries

The album's bonus edition on iTunes, released 27 September 2026 (dated 28 September in the release notes), featured remixes by PinkPantheress, Nick León and Umru.
Tinashe first teased the lead single during her DJ set at Coachella in April 2026.
"Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore" interpolates "Chillin" (2009) by Wale featuring Lady Gaga.
Tinashe announced the Three Nights With A Popstar Tour on 21 July 2026, a three-show run in October and November.
Tinashe appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper on 23 September 2026.