Exclusive: Tinashe Partners with Pepsi, Talks 'Joyride' & Britney Spears

Tinashe is burning up 2017. Fresh off the release of her new single “Flame,” the R&B songstress is the newest star of Pepsi’s music platform The Sound Drop.

Speaking exclusively with Rap-Up, Tinashe revealed how the partnership came together. “I love the Pepsi Sound Drop program because it gives me the opportunity to share an intimate look at my creative process and how I’ve come up in the game,” she said. “It’s really nice to be able to share that side of things with maybe perhaps a new audience or someone who’s unfamiliar.”

As part of The Sound Drop, Tinashe is unleashing “Flame” and a high-energy song called “Stop Lights.” “I’m really excited that the campaign features brand new music and that’s a big deal for me, to get some new music out there,” she explained. “I wrote the song in my room. I recorded it in my room, so it’s definitely one of those personal songs to me. I’m really excited for everybody to hear it. Hopefully it gives you that good vibe and energy that we need to get through 2017 together.”

The 24-year-old singer will also guest star on the third season of Fox’s hit show “Empire.” In the episode, which airs in April, she is seen working alongside Jamal (Jussie Smollett) while he develops a musical tribute. The storyline comes to life via a new social series called “Emerge,” which also features fellow Sound Drop artist Jidenna and “Empire” stars Gabourey Sibide and Ta’Rhonda Jones.

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Meanwhile, Tinashe continues to work on her long-awaited sophomore album Joyride. “It’s going to come out when it comes out,” she said. “I’m just excited to continue to release new material. I have a lot of new music and I’m really excited about that. It’s all good things.”

Those good things include collaborations with Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, Sir Nolan, Charlie Handsome, Metro Boomin, Boi-1da, and possibly even her idol Britney Spears, whom she previously worked with on the remix to “Slumber Party.”

“Britney has been somebody that I’ve idolized since I was really young, so being able to work with her, being able to share the stage with her, is really surreal and incredible. I’ve enjoyed the experience tremendously,” gushed Tinashe. “I would love to get Britney on another track. We’ll see if it happens. I heard she was open to it, so maybe. I love female collaborations so the more, the better.”