THOMAS VELI
FULL ARTIST BIO
Photo Credit: Bob Scoverski
Thomas Veli is a Seattle-based pop, rap, and R&B artist, songwriter, and producer creating cinematic, emotionally charged music with popstar ambition at its core. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, he is a first-generation American of Vietnamese and Chinese descent whose journey into music started early. As a teenager, he began writing raps in notebooks and recording songs at home with minimal equipment, teaching himself through YouTube, trial and error, and pure obsession with the craft.
Growing up, he studied music videos on MTV and BET, inspired by the star power and artistry of mainstream acts while searching for representation that reflected his own background. Discovering Asian American and Canadian artists like Tim Chantarangsu, RUSSELL!, Lil Crazed, and Dumbfoundead helped expand what felt possible. Even then, the dream was always bigger than just making songs. Thomas Veli wanted to build a world, create moments, and become the kind of artist that could inspire other people to believe in themselves too.
That belief was not always reinforced at home. Coming from a traditional upbringing with immigrant parents, he did not always feel fully supported in pursuing music, especially in the early years. That tension became fuel. Over time, what started as self-expression evolved into a real artistic identity shaped by persistence, vision, and a refusal to let go of the dream.
THE COME UP
Today, Thomas Veli is building a sound and image that feel distinctly his own. Drawing inspiration from Travis Scott, Drake, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Charli XCX, Bad Bunny, Chris Brown, and Tyler, The Creator, his music blends melodic autotune rap, atmospheric production, sharp hooks, and reflective songwriting into something that feels both modern and deeply personal. His sound lives between confidence and vulnerability, late-night energy and real-life emotion.
His catalog moves across high-energy records, melodic late-night tracks, and emotionally reflective moments, all tied together by a sense of ambition and cinematic scale. Released songs such as “Ham Choi,” “Locked In,” “Chop Chop,” “Move Quicker,” “Ready For The Weekend,” “Proud Of Me,” “Thang On Me,” and “Catch A Vibe,” along with fan-favorite “Tell Me” on YouTube and SoundCloud, showcase his range as an artist who can shift from confident, infectious performance records to more personal and melodic storytelling. Across each release, his music carries themes of confidence, freedom, love, reflection, self-belief, and legacy.
As a performer, Thomas Veli continues to build momentum through live shows that bring his music and presence to life onstage. He previously opened for Rocky Sandoval at McMenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma, and more recently has elevated his live presence through performances at Fremont Abbey Arts Center and Tet In Seattle at Seattle Center. These appearances reflect his growth into a more defined and commanding live artist, one focused not just on performing songs, but on creating a full experience. Whether in recorded music or on stage, his goal is to make people feel like popstars in their own lives, whether that means through music, work, or chasing a dream no one else fully understands yet.
What’s Going On Now
With the release of his debut EP, POPSTAR, Thomas Veli steps fully into the POPSTAR world he has been building. The project marks a deeper chapter in his journey, rooted in self-made growth, artistic vision, and the pursuit of something bigger than himself.
More than just a local name, Thomas Veli is an artist with his eyes set on reaching audiences far beyond Seattle. His mission is to create music that connects across cultures, inspires future generations, and proves that someone from a background like his can dream loudly, create boldly, and be seen on a bigger stage.
For Thomas Veli, being a popstar is more than fame. It is a mindset. It is confidence, creative freedom, and the courage to believe in your vision before the world catches up.
WHAT’S NEXT
Photo Credit: Bob Scoverski