TV on the Radio

TV on the Radio Artistfacts

  • 2001-
    Tunde AdebimpeVocals, percussion
    Dave SitekGuitar, keyboards
    Kyp MaloneBass, guitar, vocals2003-
    Gerard SmithPiano, bass, vocals2005-2011
    Jaleel BuntonDrums, guitar, piano2005-
  • TV on the Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe is also an actor. In 2001 he appeared in a small indie film called Jump Tomorrow. He later landed a role in the 2008 Anne Hathaway film Rachel Getting Married. In 2017 Adebimpe portrayed Mr. Cobbwell in the Spider-Man: Homecoming movie.
  • Tunde Adebimpe attended New York University's Tisch School of Arts and spent some time working at MTV as an animator after graduation. He also created the animated music video for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs breakout song "Pin."
  • In 2002, TV on the Radio released a collection of their demos called OK Calculator. The title is meant to be an allusion to Radiohead's highly-acclaimed 1997 album OK Computer. The band left copies of the disc in various cafes and public places for people to pick up. They also sold copies at their live shows until their CD burner broke.
  • Spin magazine named their album Return to Cookie Mountain the Best Album of 2006. The disc featured appearances from David Bowie, Omega Moon and members of Blonde Redhead and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
  • TV on the Radio's 2008 single "Golden Age" was named the 12th best song of 2008 by Rolling Stone. The Jam band Phish began playing covers of the song in their live shows in 2009.
  • In 2011, TV on the Radio guitarist/producer Dave Sitek was named #1 on NME's Future 50 list of the most forward thinking people in music today. Sitek is known for his work with several respected bands, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars, Foals, and Jane's Addiction.
  • In March 2011, the band announced that bassist Gerard Smith had been diagnosed with lung cancer. On April 20th, 2011, the band issued a statement announcing Smith's passing. The statement read: "We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly."
  • Early in his career, Adembimpe worked as one of the initial animators on MTV's claymation show Celebrity Deathmatch. He continued to maintain an active practice in design, drawing, and painting alongside his music and acting careers. Adebimpe has art directed all TV on the Radio's album covers and painted the cover for the band's 2013 single "Mercy."

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