Eem Triplin Unpacks His Next Album, Tour Ambitions, Fashion, and the Inspirations Behind His Music [Interview]

Rising to the top of the rap scene in no time at all, Eem Triplin has firmly established himself as a name that echoes throughout the industry. With his smooth delivery and introspective lyrics, he has a unique ability to consistently deliver exactly what his listeners want to hear, which is a key reason for his rapid success. And with the release of his debut album, Melody of a Memory, just a few weeks away, his rise shows no sign of slowing down either.

In an exclusive Q&A with New Wave Magazine, Eem opens up about his journey producing the album, touring overseas, his fashion, and a few secrets you may not already know about him.

How are you feeling as the release of your latest album, Melody of a Memory, approaches?

Recently, I was on the phone with someone and asked if it was the right time. But I trust my intuition, and it told me it was—so I let that guide me in the right direction. It doesn’t feel wrong, which is another sign that now is the perfect time to release it.

Can you tell us what inspired the name Melody of a Memory and how it ties into the album’s themes?

It was really because of the game Kingdom Hearts. I also like the name because it has a nice ring to it and holds personal meaning for me. I feel like this project will become the soundtrack to a lot of young kids' lives. When you hear the melodies of old songs, they can take you right back to how you felt in that moment—I think that’s exactly what this will do for a lot of people.

Were there any specific moments or experiences that sparked your creativity while you were working on this project?

I don’t like getting too personal about my emotions or specific moments—the songs just come together as they happen. But everything I talk about in my music is true, and it’s all a part of my past.

Do you see putting emotions into your songs as a way to release them?

It is an emotional release because I always feel better after putting things into a song rather than just complaining about them. But when it gets personal, I sometimes overthink the fact that people are actually listening to me talk about my feelings—it’s a weird feeling. Still, it’s necessary because I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, so sometimes you’ve just got to put it out there.

You’ve spent a lot of time on tour over the past 18 months—what was it like performing in Europe for the first time?

Europe was a vibe! The time differences were tough because I was constantly bouncing from place to place, so I definitely want to go back under different circumstances—with a more laid-back, spaced-out schedule.

How would you compare your shows overseas to back home in the States overall?

They appreciate you a lot more overseas because they don’t get to see you as much. If you tell them to open up the mosh pit, they’ll do it every single time—even if you’re a washed-up artist. In the US, though, it’s a lot harder. It’s more about following the leader, and people there are more focused on what’s trending and how relevant you are at the time of your performance.

Have you ever thought about collaborating with artists from different countries, like the UK, or those with similar musical influences?

Jorja Smith is one of my favourite artists, so I’d love to collaborate with her at some point. When I was younger and working at a pizza place, I’d always have her album Lost & Found on repeat. She’s definitely who I’d pick if I could choose anyone.

I know you’re passionate about fashion alongside music—how much do you think the two influence each other in your creative process?

I’ve always liked clothes, and I get sent a lot for free. If something’s wavy, I’ll rock it! I’m not really focused on what it is—it’s more about whether it’s a vibe. I won’t lie though; I don’t always keep up with the latest releases. But when I do have a good fit on, I feel good. And when I’m in the studio, I know that vibe will turn into a good song. But honestly, I could probably make a hit in a regular fit too, because I’m comfortable.

If you could only keep three clothing brands in your wardrobe for the rest of 2025, which would you pick and why?

Louis V, Broken Planet, and probably ERD would be my top three. But I love Bottega as well.

Finally, could you share something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?

I’m unnecessarily good at Dance Dance Revolution on the keyboard! I used to play it all the time growing up because it was my favourite game. I haven’t played in a while, so I might be a little rusty, but I definitely want to get back into it soon. I just need to get a computer with it installed. People will lie and say they were good at it, but I was seriously on a whole different level.