What #UpliftTinashe teaches us about supporting female artists

A new pop princess has finally received her flowers. After over a decade in the music industry, Tinashe is making waves online with her newly released album, “Popstar.” However, the excitement surrounding her eighth studio album expands beyond the music itself. The viral #UpliftTinashe movement is bringing fans and artists together to celebrate her artistry, Tinashe’s newest era is becoming a case study on what happens when the internet decides an artist deserves their moment.

As someone who has been listening to Tinashe since her 2014 debut album, “Aquarius,” watching Tinashe’s recent success has felt long over due. For years, she has been the type of artist whose musical talent has transcended her mainstream success. From her choreography and striking visuals to her ability to blend R&B, pop, and electronic music, Tinashe has continuously shown us what it means to be a versatile pop star. Yet, her commercial success has not always been on par with her artistry. Now, fans are making sure the industry is paying attention.

Released on Sept. 25, “Popstar” features 16 tracks, with a runtime of 39 minutes and 22 seconds. Blending infectious pop sounds with an R&B influence and glitchy experimental production, the album highlights Tinashe's range as an artist. From the hypnotic sounds of "Melatonin,” to the playful energy of “Cloud 9,” each track offers something different while still feeling undeniably Tinashe. “Popstar” allows her the freedom to experiment with her sound.

Critics have taken note of Tinashe’s success as well; Pitchfork rated “Popstar” a No.9, while music critic Anthony Fantano discussed the album’s distinct sound in his review, describing “Crash Out” as “mean and cold-blooded”. In the track, Tinashe leans into a sharper, more confrontational energy, where as on “Flashbacks,” Fantano compares its sonic qualities to, “If Björk was making sexy R&B- flavored J-Pop.” His track-by-track breakdowns perfectly depict the genre-blending experimentation that makes it so hard to place Tinashe in a single category.

What is #UpliftTinashe?

The music is only part of the story. The real journey began on X, when fans jokingly started asking each other what they were doing to “#UpliftTinashe” in their daily lives. The playful campaign caught the attention of fellow artists, including SZA, Clairo, Charli XCX, PinkPantheress, and Tinashe herself, who said the trend “makes her feel seen and teary-eyed.” What began as a playful trend developed into a deeper conversation about an artist whose talent deserved greater recognition.

“Popstar” debuted at No.6 on the Billboard 200, marking Tinashe’s first top 10 album in the United States. Her previous peak was in 2014 with “Aquarius,” charting at No. 17. The jump to No. 6 represents a great milestone for an artist who has spent years honing her sound and building a career outside of mainstream pop culture. For longtime fans, it is an opportunity to see years of creative work finally start to get the recognition it deserves.

Why Does It Matter?

Social media has changed the way audiences interact with music. A song can find new life through TikTok, a fan made edit, or a recommendation from someone totally obsessed with it. Artists no longer need to rely on traditional marketing to reach their target audience, fans can create their own momentum, and that energy turns into streams, ticket sales, and charting positions.

Women in music are often expected to maintain constant visibility and reinvent themselves for an industry that is quick to move on to the next “It girl.” Talent alone does not guarantee recognition, and commercial success does not always reflect genuine artistic ability. Tinashe’s career illustrates the distance that can exist between an artist’s talent and the attention she receives. The #UpliftTinashe movement offers a reminder that audiences can play a role in closing that gap.

Tinashe herself seems to understand that recognition and artistic value are two different things. During an appearance on “In Your Dream with Owen Thiele,” she emphasized the importance of remembering that. “It’s important to remember you don’t necessarily need the validation of popularity or other people’s opinions to connect with great art.” Her perspective adds an important layer to the movement, while fans celebrate her chart success, the music was always worth celebrating, even before mainstream success hit.

#UpliftTinashe is about more than one artist getting their flowers; it’s a reminder that female artists deserve support before the accolades, the chart positions, and viral moments. We don’t have to wait for the rest of the world to catch on, before we start sharing music that we love. Sometimes, uplifting an artist starts with something as simple as pressing play.

Which artist are you #uplifting? Leave a comment below!