The award-winning songwriter teams up with his 12-year-old son on Sumo’s World, a playful yet meaningful music project blending fun, education, and family.
Meet Theron Thomas, a Grammy award-winning producer, songwriter, rapper, singer and father to 12-year-old Sumo. Together, the father-son duo created “Sumo’s World,” which features educational songs with fun beats, catchy tunes and animated music videos. We got the chance to talk to Theron about his new kid-friendly music project, relocating to L.A. and life as a musician and father.
Congratulations on your debut EP Let’s Learn and newest single “Koala”. Tell us about Let’s Learn, “Koala,” and your family-centered musical collaboration with your son, Sumo’s World.
The EP Let’s Learn was basically just me and my son wanting to do songs about learning and education in a fun, modern way. It’s so funny that Let’s Learn is the first EP, but “Koala” is the first song we made. We wanted to make music for children with production that parents could play. So it was all about driving in the carpool line and hearing “The Wheels On The Bus” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and being like, “Oh my god, we gotta listen to that one more time!” My son wanted to make music since he was three, and we finally said, “Ok let’s make some music.” So I think the whole journey of working with my son is full circle because my dad worked with me when I was a kid and taught me everything that I know. And then when my son came to me at six years old saying, “Daddy I know why you ain’t making music with me, because you’re afraid I’ll steal your fans.” I was like, “Ok you’re not gonna play with me little boy, we’re gonna get in the studio and make some music!” Then we went and made “Koala,” and then we made Let’s Learn, and now we’re here.
What set’s Sumo’s World apart from other kid-friendly music?
What sets Sumo’s World apart from other kid-friendly music is the global appeal. I’ve written global hit songs for the world like “APT.”, “Seven” by Jewel Cook, “About Damn Time” by Lizzo and more. So I wanted to make music for all children and that caters more to a pop audience. Sumo is for everybody, everybody can enjoy it.
Did you have a mentor growing up? What role did that person play in your life and your career?
Of course, it would have to be my dad, and he played the best role. He boosted my head with confidence, love and true belief in myself, and I think I’m doing the same thing with Sumo. And as far as what it did for my career, I think it took me to where I am right now. I think I owe all of that to him. I met other mentors and people and all with the wave of my career, but definitely I wouldn’t be here without my dad.
How did the collaboration with your son Sumo start? What role does he take on in creating new music?
From three years old my son has been telling me, “Hey dad, I want to write songs!” and I’m like, “That three year old!” Like you know what you want to do at three? And at six he comes up to me: “I know why you don’t want to make music with me, it’s because you’re afraid I might steal your fans!” Then the producers Sam and Sean who made Sumo’s World with me, they brought it to life. They were in Atlanta at the house, and we were doing studio sessions, so I’m like, “We’re gonna make music right now.” And, you know, all the songs are Sumo’s ideas. I really go to him and I talk to him and I say, “Sumo, what do you want to sing about? What do you want to talk about?” and the first song we did was “Koala.” And he was like, “Dad, I want to sing about a pet koala cause you know that’s different, you know everybody got a pet cat and a pet dog, but nobody got a pet koala, you know what I mean?”, and I’m like “I get it, I don’t know how we’re gonna make a song about a pet koala, but we’re gonna figure it out.” So we started on production then started working on melodies, and we made “Koala.” Sumo is doing a lot more writing now, but in the beginning, we were just bringing his ideas to life. I wanted to make sure the ideas were from a child because they’re for children.
What advice would you give parents who want to collaborate with their kids?
If I were to give parents advice, I would say do it, just don’t make it too serious, you know? I’ve been in the music business for a long time. I’ve seen the effect on child stars who start from an early age on their adult life and how difficult it gets. So if I’m a parent, I’m telling them try to find a way to make it where your kid can still be a kid, but they still get to enjoy the joy of making music, they see that it’s a real job, they see that it’s serious, but you don’t make it their life. You allow them the space and time to grow up.
You and your son recently relocated to L.A. from Atlanta, how was the move?
Oh man, relocation. The move so far is good. Everybody’s excited, everybody likes it. Obviously the weather is amazing, you know. We have sidewalks now, we didn’t have them in Atlanta. I think everybody’s excited for the new energy that L.A. is gonna bring us and see where it goes.
What are some of your and your son’s favorite spots and activities in and around L.A.?
Oh man, what are our favorite spots? I’m gonna tell you we are too new to have any. As of right now, I’ll tell you the movies, that’s our favorite pastime, so you can find us at some point in somebody’s movie theater seeing something. We love love love the movies, so right now that’s as far as we’ve gotten, but we’re definitely gonna have a lot of new favorites as we stay here.
