Before the performance in Belgrade, with Tommy Cash in a conversation that took us in unexpected directions

Tommy Cash will perform on December 5th at 8 PM at Karmakoma club in Belgrade

December 5, 2024

I remember when I first heard Tommy Cash’s song. It was Little Molly in 2018, and the first thought that crossed my mind was: What did I just watch? However, after that, I delved into Tommy Cash’s world and started following his work. I can’t say that, later on, I didn’t often think, What did I just watch? as well, but even though I never knew what to expect from a new song or project, I knew it would always be something beyond all expectations, sense, and boundaries. Tommy Cash is like a glitch in the matrix of contemporary pop music, a wild mix of meme culture, hyperreal imagery, and punk. Coming from the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, this artist who’s been pushing boundaries for some time has been shaking up the music scene with his eccentric blend of hip-hop, trap, and avant-garde visuals. Born in 1991, Cash grew up in a post-Soviet environment, and that strange combination of history, politics, and culture comes through in his music in ways that are both fun and unsettling.

His songs are often a chaotic journey through absurd humor, critique, and catchy melodies that sit somewhere between satire and sincerity. Imagine if the Yeezus-era Kanye, Lil B, and Salvador Dalí had a secret jam session in a basement lit by neon lights and glitchy TV screens. His music videos are like feverish dreams brought to life, with bizarre, surreal visuals playing with body horror, pop culture, and social commentary—often all at once. With songs like Euroz Dollaz Yeniz and Pussy Money Weed, he’s gone far beyond being just a rapper; he’s become an entire internet subculture in a chaotic, ironic guise. Tommy Cash doesn’t follow trends; he builds his own universe. If you find yourself in it, you might often be unsure whether to laugh, cringe, or start questioning your entire reality. What’s for sure is that you’ll have fun.

When you wore a realistic vagina at Fashion Week, Jake Silbert from Highsnobiety magazine wrote: “The artist and musician is the eternal outsider, forever dominating the Fashion Week discourse with some of the craziest outfits you’ve ever seen in public.” How would you describe your fashion style to someone who knows nothing about you?

I hate clothes, I hate fashion, but I like some pieces and the creatives who make them. I can’t describe it. I think I’m the worst nightmare of every trendy fashionista. That’s how I would describe myself.

Interesting, it’s rare that we have people in Vogue who don’t like fashion. But clearly, there’s always a first time for everything… Since you appeared as Anna Wintour at Paris Fashion Week last year, I’ve been wanting to ask you, what is it like to be in her shoes? And where do you draw inspiration for all those ultra-creative and, to some, shocking outfits?

I felt glamorous and rich, the limousine was amazing, and the driver was super sexy with big muscles. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I was sitting next to James Franco in the front row. I would give him the last Vogue we made. Ideas always come to me by chance. Sometimes I see something, and it just clicks. Or, with my team, I need to do research to communicate what I want to say through the outfits in the right way.

You’re performing in Belgrade for the first time, what do you expect from the Belgrade audience? What’s the vibe like so far? Do you feel that post-Soviet weird energy here?

I’m expecting madness and mosh pits. It feels like I’m going to a house I’ve never been to before. I want them to greet me at the airport with freshly baked bread.

I can confirm that Belgrade’s audience will be ready for the mosh pits, but I’m not so sure about that bread (laughs). Do you have any plans for a new art exhibition or fashion collaboration, because those are areas where you also attract a lot of attention with your unique approach? Will we perhaps see something like the world’s longest sneakers or bread-based slippers again?

Actually, I have one collaboration that I was planning to announce in November. I think it will attract a lot of attention, but if I told you, I’d have to kill you.

I wasn’t expecting to need a bodyguard for this interview (laughs). In that case, I won’t ask you anything more about it. Let’s move to another topic. How do you relax during the tour? Is there room for some relaxing rituals, and if so, what are they?

In Budapest, we went to the thermal baths, and in Berlin, we went to Berghain. I take the best and most from each city, but the only real relaxation is doing absolutely nothing. Only in that way can I keep going at full strength.

Earlier, you mentioned something I didn’t know, which is that you’ll be representing Estonia at Eurovision 2025 with a new song, Espresso Macchiato. Can you tell me what the song is about? Is it just as crazy as all your other work?

Actually, the song will be like a Trojan horse. Everything I do is crazy, so my team and I realized that there’s a big tendency for people to be crazy and want to stand out at Eurovision. If you look at my history and previous work and career, I’m like a daddy (laughs), the father of everything that’s weird. If an artist wants to be weird or stand out, I’m definitely one of the references, and the same goes for brands. I think the song will shock people in a way that’s not trying to shock them. It’s really a great song, but the whole project and everything we’ll do around it will shock people who know my work. The shocking part will be that I’m not trying to shock them, and that’s very strategically good because everyone will try to be like someone before them, and we won’t try to be like anyone.

This all sounds amazing, I can’t wait to hear it! Will it be in Estonian?

No, it will be in English and one other language.

I won’t ask you to reveal any more secrets since you’ve already threatened me earlier (laughs).

It will be a universal language that most people understand, that’s all I’ll reveal (laughs).

Do you already have an idea of what the performance will be like?

Yes, we’ve already had rehearsals, we know the costume!

Will it be as crazy as usual, or a bit calmer?

Simply iconic! I’m looking at young people and what they like and what people will be able to copy and recreate next year. We’re really going for an iconic look. It’s not the Paris Fashion Week type of style, but it will definitely be unforgettable.