With his debut single ‘Hibiscus’ now released and a debut album titled ‘Gloomy Thoughts’ on the horizon, 16-year-old singer-songwriter Tanokii is beginning his journey into mainstream pop with a deeply personal approach to songwriting.
At just 16, Tanokii, professionally credited as Tanokii Spencer, is setting out to establish his own identity in the world of independent pop music. A singer-songwriter with an interest in mainstream pop, folk-pop and country-pop, he officially made his debut on November 6, 2026, with his first single, Hibiscus, which also serves as the lead single from his upcoming debut album, Gloomy Thoughts.
For Tanokii, music is not simply about performing songs. It is about creating them, telling stories and translating personal experiences into something that other people can connect with. His approach to music places songwriting at the centre of his artistic identity, with a strong emphasis on creative involvement and maintaining a personal connection to the stories he tells.
Finding inspiration and developing an artistic identity
Among the artists who have influenced Tanokii’s musical journey, Taylor Swift holds a particularly important place. Beyond her music, her approach to songwriting, artistic independence and ownership of her creative work has been a significant inspiration. Swift’s ability to turn personal experiences into songs that resonate with audiences has influenced the way Tanokii views his own work.
Other musical influences include Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo and Nemo, each contributing to his appreciation of different songwriting styles and musical possibilities.
Rather than limiting himself to one particular sound, Tanokii is interested in exploring the space between mainstream pop, folk-pop and country-pop. His ambition is to create accessible, contemporary pop music while retaining the storytelling and emotional depth that initially drew him towards songwriting.
A songwriter at the heart of his music
One of the defining aspects of Tanokii’s project is his involvement in songwriting. He is the sole writer behind the songs planned for his debut album, Gloomy Thoughts, without credited co-writers.
His involvement extends beyond choosing songs to record or interpreting material written by someone else. The stories, concepts, lyrics and emotional direction of the project originate from his own creative process.
For a young independent artist, maintaining this level of creative involvement is an important part of establishing an individual artistic identity. It also gives his debut project a consistent personal perspective, with each song exploring a different situation, emotion or experience.
‘Hibiscus’: A debut built around self-acceptance
Released on November 6, 2026, Hibiscus marks the beginning of Tanokii’s journey as a recording artist. Serving as the lead single from Gloomy Thoughts, the song introduces listeners to a more confident and uplifting side of his songwriting.
The song centres on self-love, confidence and embracing oneself. Its central idea is about recognising one’s own worth rather than depending on external validation or allowing other people’s opinions to define personal identity.
The choice of the title Hibiscus gives the song a floral identity that complements its message of confidence and self-acceptance. It represents an introduction to Tanokii’s artistic world, offering listeners a glimpse of the emotional and thematic range they can expect from his upcoming album.
‘Gloomy Thoughts’: An album of contrasting emotions
Following his debut single, Tanokii is preparing to release his first album, Gloomy Thoughts. The project is built around a collection of ten original songs, bringing together different narratives and emotional perspectives.
While Hibiscus explores confidence and self-love, the album ventures into considerably more complicated emotional territory. Its songs touch upon loneliness, difficult relationships, personal experiences, grief, growing up and the process of understanding oneself.
The album’s tracklist includes:
1. Petals & Poison
2. Hibiscus
3. Marionette Strings
4. Faulty Product
5. Flytrap
6. Share the Plate
7. Fifteenth Birthday
8. Spellbound
9. Pearls Underwater
10. Milk Teeth
Several of the album’s titles hint at the storytelling approach behind the project. Marionette Strings explores the idea of breaking free from control, while Faulty Product uses a metaphor of manufacturing and imperfection to explore loneliness. Flytrap approaches the experience of a difficult relationship through the imagery of something attractive but dangerous.
Spellbound draws upon imagery associated with Joan of Arc and witchcraft, while Pearls Underwater is among the project’s most personal songs, exploring grief and the loss of his mother. Meanwhile, Milk Teeth uses the imagery of jewellery and childhood to connect different elements of the album.
Together, the songs form a collection that moves between different emotional experiences rather than remaining within one musical or lyrical perspective.
An independent beginning
Building a musical career independently at 16 comes with its own set of challenges. From developing songs to recording and preparing releases, the process requires considerable creative involvement and determination.
For Tanokii, however, independence is also an opportunity to develop his sound and establish the kind of artist he wants to become.
His debut is not intended to be the culmination of his musical ambitions, but the starting point of a longer journey. With influences spanning contemporary pop, folk-inspired songwriting and country-pop, he hopes to develop a catalogue that allows him to experiment while remaining connected to the storytelling that defines his work.
With Hibiscus now marking his official entry into the music industry and Gloomy Thoughts taking shape as his first major artistic statement, Tanokii Spencer is taking his first steps towards a future in music.
At 16, he is still at the beginning of that journey. But with an original body of work, a clear interest in songwriting and a desire to shape his own artistic direction, he is already establishing the foundations of an identity that is distinctly his own.
For Tanokii, the story is only beginning.
