When Grammy and Academy Award–winning singer-songwriter Tiara Thomas set out to release her single “Kiss Me,” she knew the track carried intimacy and vulnerability.
“Short, sweet, and seductive.” That's how Billboard described Kiss Me, Grammy and Academy Award–winning singer-songwriter Tiara Thomas's latest single [here]. The resounding reception from critics in the U.S. and abroad reflects the integrated creative strategy behind her release.
Bringing that vision to life visually on an independent budget was a challenge, but it was solved with a cost-effective and cohesive execution. ONErpm Studios provided Thomas with a bundled package that included both a music video production and a professional photo session.
The partnership delivered a complete visual toolkit: a cinematic video, striking portraits, and promotional materials designed to extend the single's impact well beyond release. ONErpm Studios' model stems from ONErpm's expertise in audience development, empowering independent artists to leverage their creative independence as a growth strategy. With a compact but self-sufficient production team, the studio operates as a fully integrated creative boutique within the independent music ecosystem.
Powerful Marketing Strategies and Creative Excellence
For many independent artists, coordinating with multiple vendors, balancing costs, and ensuring consistency across platforms is a constant challenge without the support of creative and marketing specialists. Thomas, however, walked away with a full creative bundle that equipped her with visuals for playlist covers, PR campaigns, and branded content—ensuring every touchpoint, from YouTube to streaming platforms to media outlets, was covered.
One of the most striking results of this approach was the photo session, which not only powered editorial and playlist campaigns but also delivered the official cover art for Kiss Me.
The payoff was undeniable. The official Kiss Me video has surpassed 160,000 views on YouTube—a strong performance for an independent R&B release in a crowded digital landscape. Meanwhile, Thomas's portraits secured coveted playlist placements on Audiomack's GRL RNB and Pandora's Indie R&B and Feel Good R&B playlists, all key spaces for audience discovery.
Perhaps the most powerful cultural co-sign came from Billboard Magazine, which featured those same images in its R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks column alongside heavyweights like Kehlani and Tiwa Savage. For Thomas, this wasn't just a press mention; it was proof that her independent release could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the genre's biggest names.
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