Tellaman has finally shed light on why it took him seven years to release his second solo album, explaining that the lengthy gap was largely driven by life, personal experiences and his desire to create music that genuinely meant something to him.
For the Durban-born singer, songwriter and producer, releasing an album is not simply about having enough songs in the vault. He believes a full-length project needs a clear purpose, direction and identity before it is ready for listeners.
Tellaman says he wasn’t inspired to make an album
Reflecting on the long period between his projects, Tellaman admitted that there were times when life got in the way of music.
He also realised that he simply did not have enough material or experiences he wanted to translate into a full project.
The artist explained that he was searching for inspiration, both lyrically and sonically, and wasn’t interested in forcing the creative process.
For Tellaman, the music itself also needed to excite him. He wanted to feel inspired by the production, the direction and the overall sound before committing to another album.
Rather than manufacture that inspiration, he chose to wait.
Why Tellaman refused to rush the process
Although he continued releasing music from time to time, Tellaman made an important distinction between dropping individual songs and creating an album.
In his view, a single can exist on its own, but an album requires much more intention.
He believes a full-length project should have a cohesive theme and should represent everything an artist wants to say at that particular point in their life.
That philosophy ultimately led him to step back and allow the next chapter of his career to develop naturally.
Instead of releasing an album simply because fans or the industry expected one, Tellaman waited until he felt he had something worthwhile to say.
From God Decides to a new chapter
Tellaman’s previous solo album, God Decides, arrived in 2019 and included the fan-favourite “Whipped.”
Since then, he has remained active through singles, collaborations and other projects, including Good Regardless in 2022 and Watchlist in 2024.
His musical journey has also expanded through collaborations, most notably his work with Nasty C on the joint album T’s & C’s Apply.
Despite maintaining a presence in the music industry, Tellaman’s latest comments make it clear that remaining active does not necessarily mean being ready to deliver another full-length solo project.
Tellaman wants every album to have an identity
The singer’s approach highlights how much his creative philosophy has evolved.
Known for moving comfortably between R&B, hip-hop, melodic music and other influences, Tellaman has never been an artist who fits neatly into one box.
That versatility has also meant that finding the right direction for an album can take time.
For Tellaman, the beats, lyrics, themes and overall atmosphere all need to work together before a project feels complete.
His seven-year wait, therefore, was not simply a case of disappearing from the music scene. It was a period of figuring out what he wanted his next body of work to represent.
Now, rather than looking at the gap as lost time, Tellaman appears to view it as part of the creative journey — proof that sometimes the best music comes when an artist refuses to rush the process.
