Change Maker
As the third most streamed songwriter worldwide, Theron “Uptown AP” Thomas catapulted into the spotlight earlier this year after winning Songwriter of the Year at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards. As the only black nominee in the category, Thomas has become a role model for aspiring black creatives, with credits including Sean Kingston, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, and Ariana Grande.
Alongside brother Timothy “A.I” (Thomas), as songwriting/producing duo R. City, he has worked with the world’s top artists, but started out dancing to hip-hop in the Virgin Islands. Dancing in shows—including a stint as backup dancers for an all-girl rap group—Kris Kross proved kids could rap too. First performing as artists under the moniker 2Ekwip, a high school artist was writing their songs, but left for his own career. With their dad pushing them to write their own material, the two have been writing ever since.
While very popular in Saint Thomas, their audience was limited. “The streets, the gangsters, the deejays in the club—they would never play our music,” admits Theron. Returning from Miami under new moniker R. City in 2005 brought a more mature sound and the club scene took off. “We not gangsters, not drug dealers, never been in trouble with the law,” admits Thomas. “What gives us an edge? Me and my brother became like Public Enemy: fuck the police, fuck the government, people are poor, people are starving, you don't help.”
R. City’s good friend and deejay Benny-Demus became Akon’s deejay, later getting R. City their first record deal. Thomas wrote Akon’s “The Rain” (from Konvicted in seventh grade. Still working day jobs at Kroger and Party City, their manager Ray Daniels was driving them between talent shows in Atlanta.
Writing “We Can’t Stop” for Miley Cyrus (for 2013’s Bangerz), R. City got Dr. Luke’s attention. James “Groove” Chambers (who had wanted to work with R. City years earlier) told Luke they were much better artists than writers. Says Thomas, “Just like Ray said, it came full circle […] doing a deal with Kemosabe, dropping “Locked Away,” going number one, on tour with Maroon 5… this is what we'd dreamt of our whole life. It was a great experience.”
A good song starts with a great beat insists Thomas. “It's like the opening of the movie, the opening scene.” Following the beat, the melody has to be good to get you to listen to the lyrics. Thomas studies the top 10—especially the songs he dislikes—to see what he is missing.
His favorite music includes Bob Marley, Norah Jones, and John Mayer. Dramatically different from what he writes, Thomas adds, “[My] songs don’t sound like they were written by someone who listens to what I do.” One is his human side, and one is his channel, and Thomas really does channel his work. “They're playing the beat in the background, and I'm not paying attention. I get up, go in the booth, and write a whole song in 20 minutes.” Reveals Thomas, “I believe that God writes my songs - even the wretched ones.”
Best known for hit “Locked Away” and mixtape This is Not A Drill… This is Really Happening!, R. City received the keys to the Territory in the Virgin Islands, celebrating ‘R. City Day’ in recognition of their musical contributions and impact on young people each year on September 27. Hit song “Seven” (Jung Kook) recently became the No. 1 most streamed song by an Asian act in Spotify history. A tribute to their late father, “Awhoa” is out now.
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