Meet Tomaz Baskin | Actor & Recording Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tomaz Baskin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tomaz, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It’s therapeutic, I’ve always had a lot of emotions and a lot of feelings but the way I was raised was to never show your emotions or let anyone know your feelings. I was taught to hold it in unless In a safe place but that was the trick because I never believed there was a safe place.

When started acting and started being cast in films and when I started recording music, I realized I was allowed to cry. I was allowed to be hurt, I was allowed to be angry, to scream to yell to fight. I am allowed to let out all the emotions I want to on a daily basis but I’d obviously end up in jail or prison if I do.

Acting and recording music for me is a safe place that I’ve found and that is the reason why I chose to pursue these artistic paths. Not for the glory, nor just the feeling of being an artist but because it’s therapeutic.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actor and a recording artist. As for recording, genre I would say is Hip-Hop and R&B but the industry as a whole have almost deteriorated those titles so I like to go by recording artist to avoid the label of only being a singer or only being a rapper.

What sets me apart as a recording artist is really nothing. I struggle with life, I struggle with growing a fan base, I struggle with feeling confident in my music, I look for ways to get better every chance I get like every other artist out there. I am honest in my music like many artist, whether they’re truly being honest is not my problem because when you hear my songs and my stories I guarantee you there are no lies. Over time it could be revealed there were misunderstandings, but I do not lie in my songs.

As for acting, I’ve worked extremely hard to build a reputation as a professional actor. I don’t just take projects just to add another under my belt. I’m very picky, I’m very observant to every aspect because every character I portray, is going to place a label on anybody that looks like me. So me doing a bunch of gang films, or ratchet films, or me being in prison just because of my stature and race is only putting a label on other black people with dreadlocks. I pride myself in repressing my people and putting them in a new light.

Lessons I have learned in both careers, everybody has a story. We are no more important than the person next to us, we don’t deserve anything anymore than the person next to us. We have to work hard, strategize and dive in. No short cuts, no handouts, and if there are they are going to sidetrack you and take you two steps back.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Seattle there is a lot to do yet there’s nothing at all to do.

So it’s always up In the air, it always depends on how the day looks, but in the city we’d definitely have to go eat at Dicks Burgers, CaliBurger and Ezells chicken. Most definitely would have to visit the gum wall in downtown Seattle and I mean nobody from here really does it but check out the space needle too. Most likely would have to spend a day at alki beach over in West Seattle too.

Nightclub scene has sort of died down so not much to really go off of there, just a finding a good bar to hang out at would be most ideal.

As for me, Im usually at home or at a homies house.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God for allowing me the opportunity to be able to pursue anything.

My parents and family obviously for continued support

My big sister Mimi for introducing me to music

One of my Bestfriends David Fowler who’s a director that cast me in my very first film and that has continuously grown alongside me on this filmmaking path.

Edgar Brambila, Lance Manago, Christian Keyz. All friends of mine that are also in these careers and help keep my vision focused whenever I get off course.

My amazing fiancé Mahina and our two kids Haloa And Masina.

Many many others but just to keep it short and sweet I’ll leave it at this.

Website: https://linktr.ee/OleSkinny

Instagram: @oleskinny_

Twitter: @ole_skinny

Facebook: Tomaz Baskin

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCna4iJzEkG3RtB9cGNxT2UA

Other: Acting YouTube: https://youtu.be/FNbwciYjk50 IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9098507/ Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ole-skinny/1403844634 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VnfVTVUH8AbYwJNqnRsO2?si=NN29DmuAQ0iQy_eEVCwR0w