Timi Dre will perform at SOB’s on April 22.
Photos courtesy of Timi Dre
Timi Dre, a Brooklyn independent artist blending Afrobeats, Konpa, and R&B, is shaping a sound that feels unmistakably New York– global, rhythmic, and alive. Whether on a subway platform, across your feed, or in the middle of a late-night set somewhere downtown, his music carries an energy that moves with the city itself.
The first time you encounter his music, it hits instantly– catchy, rhythmic, and full of energy. Behind that effortless energy is a story rooted in discipline, culture, and something deeper than just making a hit.
For Timi Dre, music didn’t start as a career move. It started as a way of life. “Being a gospel kid, I grew up in New Church, playing multiple instruments. I just fell in love with music naturally,” he says. That early foundation still shapes everything he creates. There’s a richness to his sound that feels both emotional and intentional, balancing rhythm with feeling in a way that sticks.
Growing up in Brooklyn meant growing up surrounded by constant cultural exchange. “Growing up in New York City, you’re exposed to different cultures. I grew up on a block where they could be playing dancehall today and tomorrow they’re playing R&B,” he explains. That environment didn’t just influence his music, it became it. “I’m a concussion of everything I grew up listening to.”
That fusion defines his sound today. Pulling from Afrobeats, R&B, and global rhythms, his music feels like a reflection of the city itself– fast-moving, layered, and impossible to box into one genre.
Timi Dre
Even as he builds momentum, performing across New York City and growing his audience, Timi Dre keeps his perspective grounded. “Before I even became a career, I still saw it the same way I did when I was 15, just enjoying what I create and putting it out for people to listen to.” That mindset carries into his performances, where each show feels like part of a larger journey. “I’ve always felt like I’ve been doing something from the beginning, performing in different places, opening for artists. This is me giving back to people that have given to me.”
His music lives in that same balance– energetic but grounded, vibrant yet intentional. When asked how he would describe his music to someone hearing it for the first time, he says: “Fun, but soulful. As much as I can make you dance, there’s a groove to it. That’s the African part of it. You can tell how soulful I am as a person through my music.”
Now, all of that energy is building toward his upcoming show at SOB’s on his birthday, April 22nd, one of New York City’s most iconic stages for emerging and global artists. When asked what audiences can expect, his answer is simple and confident: “Everything. It’s going to be one of the greatest shows to happen.”
Behind the scenes, he’s preparing with intention. “I decided to do this little ritual, 30 days hard, where I run two miles a day and go to the gym every single day, just to make sure, as much as I’m musically sound, I want to make sure my body is sound.” For Timi, performance isn’t just about the music; it’s about presence, stamina, and connection.
Among all the songs Timi is planning to perform, one stands out when asked which he’s most excited about. “Probably ‘Saved My Life,’ because that was the one song about my mom, and she’s going to be there that day as well.”
It’s a full-circle moment that reflects everything behind the music. The roots, the city, the growth, and the people who shaped his journey.
For Timi Dre, this moment reflects everything he’s been building, shaped by where he’s from and where he’s going. And at SOB’s, that story won’t just be heard. It will be felt.
You can follow Timi Dre on Instagram @timi_dre, and get tickets to his upcoming show at SOB’s on April 22: Timidre.com