Tiriq Rashad - No Regrets (Official Video) + 10 Questions
Tiriq Rashad Unveils “No Regrets” — A Poetic Ode to Grief, Healing, and Resilience.
With the release of his new single and video “No Regrets” from his upcoming album Kiss My Art, Atlantic-Ville native Tiriq Rashad invites listeners into a deeply personal chapter of his life. Opening with a voicemail from his late mother, the track blends spoken word, jazz, and hip-hop to transform loss into a meditation on healing and hope.
Directed by Yago Ventura and filmed in New York City, the music video pairs the city’s restless motion with Rashad’s still, reflective presence — a visual metaphor for navigating grief in a world that never slows down. Every frame underscores the balance between solitude and connection, sorrow and joy.
Rashad recently spoke with Yonathan Elias on American Urban Radio Network’s Couch Party, sharing the inspirations behind “No Regrets” and the role community plays in his work as both artist and healer.
Known for his acclaimed memoir A Diamond In God’s Dirt and poetry collection shine through our shade, Rashad continues to craft work rooted in authenticity and empathy. With Kiss My Art arriving this fall, he promises a soul-baring exploration of identity, healing, and creative liberation — a living memoir set to music.
Tiriq Rashad sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music and poetry?
I’ve been around music my entire life. I remember long car rides home from football practice and late-night drives around Atlantic City with my mom, listening to 96.1 The Touch. I remember sitting in the car with her, blasting and singing Monica’s “Why I Love You So Much” on repeat.
Waking up on weekend mornings to Teena Marie echoing throughout the house became a ritual. My mom played all kinds of music, some I didn’t necessarily care for, but I became an R&B fan before I liked any other genre. I also remember my dad blasting Public Enemy and reggae through his amps while hanging out with friends at home. Eventually, I began doing the same thing, not realising I had inherited it from my parents.
As I got older, I started listening to rap and expanded my musical palate even more. I stumbled into writing poetry as a kid, just trying to find an outlet to express myself. Whether it was about a girl, school, or simply my thoughts, I leaned on music, sports, and writing as my emotional support. I had no idea how much I loved any of it until I realised I often used them as engines to carry me to some of the most vulnerable, beautiful places in my life.
2. Which artists and poets have had a major influence on your work, and who would you love to collaborate with down the line?
Tupac has always been my guy! His passion for music and art as a whole inspired me from the first time I heard any of his work. Watching him as an actor, seeing how authentic he was, and witnessing the love he had for his mother, his family, and his people are just a few of the reasons he’s been such an influence on me since I was a kid. He’s my GOAT.
That said, I have a long list of artists who’ve inspired me. As a poet, I’ve always loved Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, and Nikki Giovanni, who I had the pleasure of connecting with, and who later stamped her approval on me and my work.
When I first heard J. Ivy on Kanye West’s College Dropout, I was in awe of how dope that was. Seeing him evolve as a poet has been truly inspiring. And who doesn’t love Lauryn Hill and everything she’s done?! The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and her artistry have always been a lasting inspiration to me.
Watching modern poets shine, like Aja Monet (whom I admire), Tank and the Bangas, Kondwani Fidel (from Baltimore), Prentice Powell, Jasmine Mans, Reyna Biddy, Rudy Francisco, Angelena Aguilera (aka PoeticMoment), Rupi Kaur, Rashan Brown (PoetryMePlease), and so many others, has helped sharpen my pen even more. I’m deeply grateful for their artistry.
I love everything about hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and how music, in essence, can be an instrument to your life, just as it has been to mine. I’d love to collaborate with any of the poets I mentioned.
From an R&B standpoint, my dream collaborations would be with Tems, Jill Scott (Jilly from Philly), Erykah Badu, Snoh Aalegra, Solange, Jhene Aiko, and, how could I not say Monica?! (laughs).
In hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar has been a huge inspiration for me as an artist, and I’d love to collaborate with him too.
3. What projects do you have coming up, and can you give us any info on them?
I’m excited to release my forthcoming spoken-word album, Kiss My Art, this fall. The lead single, “No Regrets,” is now available on all streaming platforms, and the official video is out now on YouTube.
4. How would you describe your new project?
My newest spoken-word album, Kiss My Art, is art in its rawest, most vulnerable form. I’ve peeled back the layers of my life to create a body of work that I believe will resonate deeply with many. To create a masterpiece, we must first start with a blank canvas.
This album celebrates embracing your art as a reflection of your profession, passion, and dreams, acknowledging that the journey is often filled with hardships and challenges that test our resilience. It’s a reminder that life isn’t always sunshine and roses.It also emphasizes the importance of self-love by encouraging us to recognize our most genuine emotions and commit to the internal growth necessary to become our best selves.
Kiss My Art is my most beautiful, honest, and heartfelt work to date, and I’m beyond excited to share it with the world.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist and poet?
Wow! Ummm…I’d say I’m proudest of my evolution as an artist and poet. With everything I’ve endured over the past few years, both good and bad, I’ve grown creatively and personally. The Homie has a way of breaking us down to build us back up, and although times have been tough, I’m grateful for the trials along the way. I guess there really is “beauty in the struggle,” like Cole said.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
After recently watching Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners, I was reminded to cherish the gift bestowed upon me, not for personal gain, but to serve the greater good. With that in mind, my advice is to find your purpose and inspiration. Understanding your “why” is essential to your creative journey. Stay committed to that purpose, and avoid distractions that could steer you away from your true path.
7. Are there any artists or poets on your radar right now that we should check out?
As I mentioned earlier, I love Aja Monet’s work; she’s such an inspiration! And who doesn’t know Rupi Kaur? I love her poetry and everything she creates. Prentice Powell and Kondwani Fidel are two dope artists I’ve been following for a while now, too.
And if you don’t know Rashan Brown with the PoetryMePlease movement, you’re trippin’! (laughs). He’s another great poet I follow.
Last but not least, Tank and the Bangas are killin’ it out here! I love Tank’s poetry and the energy she and her band bring to every performance.
All of these poets and so many others are absolutely worth checking out!
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
It honestly depends on my mood (laughs). One day I might be listening to rap, the next it’s jazz, then R&B. You just never know (laughs). I usually listen to individual songs more than full albums, but Kendrick’s good kid, m.A.A.d city (GNX) is always in rotation, especially because my son bops his head and raps along (laughs).Wale’s The Album About Nothing is super underrated, but it’s definitely on my playlist. Tha Carter I–III? Classics. Anything by Bob Marley, I’m playing it. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill?
Of course. Anything Michael Jackson, J. Cole, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Ma$e, Jeezy, Ace Hood…too many to name. I’ve even made my own R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and poetry playlists depending on whatever mood I’m in.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music or writing poetry?
I love spending time with my family. I’m a family man to the core. Any time I have with them, I try to create memories and meaningful moments because I know tomorrow isn’t promised. I also enjoy playing basketball, doing hot yoga, and traveling the world.
But my absolute favorite thing to do is cook. I enjoy everything about it! In my next life, I’m definitely going to be a chef.
10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?
My phone, where I usually store all my poetry and notes; a bottle of water to stay hydrated and ensure I sound clear when recording; and good vibes to set the mood!