Universal Vibes: Stephen Thomas Breaks Hearts and Genre Rules
Industry pioneer Stephen Thomas doesn’t stick to one musical lane—he cruises through all of them. A Charleston, West Virginia,
Industry pioneer Stephen Thomas doesn’t stick to one musical lane—he cruises through all of them. A Charleston, West Virginia, native, Thomas embraces difference without hesitation, a trait that’s earned him five Grammy Award considerations as an independent artist. For him, no genre is too daunting to explore or too divergent to command—only opportunities to craft extraordinary artistry. Having traversed a wide range of styles throughout his career, Thomas’s resonant songcraft continues to top charts and connect with fans, all without squeezing into a box. Named an Artist to Watch in 2025 by The Source Magazine, his latest musical chapter is a delectable plunge into the rebellious energy of alternative rock, specializing in potent bursts of positivity dripping with a sharp, acerbic edge. With two singles already out from his highly anticipated EP, and more on the way, Thomas is blazing forward on his solo journey to completely redefine what it means to be a universal artist. He’s here to make a splash—and he’s not wasting a second.
Though Thomas’ recent releases have solidified his reputation as a musical encourager, “Breaking Hearts” takes a refreshingly dark turn. Rough around the edges and unlike anything he’s released before, the track is a punk-pop anthem of rebellion infused with a distinctly hip-hop soul. From the grungy early aughts atmosphere to its raw lyricism and emotion-charged delivery—including an unexpected rap verse that sweeps listeners off their feet and onto the dance floor—Thomas leans into the element of surprise, as if to say, “Watch what I can do.” Despite what the title suggests, “Breaking Hearts” isn’t a somber tale—it’s an anthem of reclamation, perfectly capturing the freedom and empowerment that comes from walking away from toxicity. “Stay away from those who drain you of the energy you need to function—for yourself and those who love you,” says Thomas. When life starts to unravel, whether in relationships, careers, or beyond, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. Thomas’ powerful presence and poignant storytelling offer the mettle we all need to take that leap of faith, say goodbye, and finally “live with no regrets.”
In another stellar collaboration with renowned director and close friend Will Thomas, the “Breaking Hearts” music video is a high-voltage throwback, evoking the gritty energy of rock and roll blasting from the staticky screens of the past. Stephen delivers a performance that fuses alt-rock and hip-hop essentials into a compelling narrative: a desolate warehouse comes alive, a roaring party, and the emotional unraveling of a heated breakup. As he closes the box on a real engagement ring, we witness the exact moment he decides to let go—a palpable shift from heartbreak to healing. The urgency is unmistakable: the party won’t start until we drop the mic, literally, and walk away from what no longer serves us. Amazingly, the vibrant video was shot in just one day and was set to feature a surprise guest: a collaborator on Stephen’s “anthem of the summer,” a fresh spin on The Gap Band’s iconic “Outstanding. -the summer anthem will be releasing on his soon to come EP called universal me set to release in August of 2025. Tragically, the incredible multi platinum artist known for the songs “2 Step” and the recently performed “Walk It Out”, at Coachella, by the artist that was featured on the remix with TPain DJ Unk passed away just days before the shoot, leaving Stephen. His versatility, resilience, and commitment speak volumes. Stephen doesn’t just vacation in musical paradises—he thrives in them. He belongs everywhere, and curious fans won’t have to wait too long for another dose of transformation, because something exciting is always just around the corner.
1. “Breaking Hearts” has a confident, bold feel—how did the idea for this song first come to you?
Answer: When I first heard the track, I immediately connected with it.
The idea for “Breaking Hearts” came from reflecting on how confidence is often mistaken for arrogance, something I experienced growing up. I also thought about how relationships, whether personal or professional, can become toxic and pull you away from who you really are. This song is about reclaiming your power, walking away from what holds you back, and not apologizing for your presence. It’s not about wanting to hurt anyone, but sometimes, breaking hearts is necessary to protect your own. It’s an anthem for living free, bold, and without regret.
2. What was it like for you to blend the worlds of pop-punk and hip-hop on this track? In your opinion, what makes these genres work well together?
Answer: Pop-punk has always had that rebellious, high-energy vibe, and hip-hop speaks directly to real-life situations just like pop-punk does. Right now, as we say, EMO is not dead. These genres complement each other because they’re both raw, edgy, and emotional at their core. Blending them felt natural to me. Each genre brings its own style. The beat, the writing, the energy, it’s all different. But hip-hop, in particular, has a way of elevating any track with its rhythm and storytelling. When you put that together with the punch of pop-punk, you get something powerful and authentic.
3. Would you describe “Breaking Hearts” as a break-up song? Why or why not?
Answer: I wouldn’t call “Breaking Hearts” a traditional break-up song.
It’s deeper than that. It’s about walking away from anything or anyone that no longer serves you, whether that’s a relationship, a friendship, a job, or even a mindset. It’s not about heartbreak just for the sake of drama. It’s about choosing yourself. And all while serving its purpose to show that breaking up with that person or that thing is also a form of putting yourself first. Sometimes that hurts, but it’s necessary. So while it might sound like a break-up song on the surface, at its core, it’s a self-empowerment anthem that teaches you how to say “Goodbye.”
4. How does the message in “Breaking Hearts” resonate with you and your experiences?
Answer: I relate to “Breaking Hearts” in so many ways, but the part that hits the hardest for me is relationships. I know what it’s like to walk away from someone you cared deeply about, even when you didn’t want to. And I also know the pain of having someone walk away from you. One of the most personal connections I have to this song is when I proposed to someone I truly cared about only for her to leave just three months later.
Looking back, I realize she wasn’t the one who truly deserved that gesture. But I’m still proud of what I created in that moment, because it came from a place of real love and authenticity. The truth is, I wasn’t actually in love with her. I was in love with the idea of peace, respect, and trust. I kept trying to convince myself, “Maybe this is how it’s supposed to feel,” or “Maybe it’ll grow.” But deep down, I knew it wasn’t right.
Later on, I realized it really wasn’t right, especially after seeing that, when it came down to the tough times, she wasn’t there. She didn’t show up when it mattered. She didn’t have my back when I needed her most. She didn’t put in the effort to check on me, support me, or try to fix things the way a real partner would. And that’s when it clicked: love isn’t just about moments, it’s about showing up, especially when things get hard.
Today, I’m grateful we didn’t get married, and I’m glad she’s moved on and found her path. That experience taught me a lot about who I am, what I value, and what I deserve.
If you’re curious to see what that moment looked like, just search “Stephen Thomas proposal of a lifetime” on YouTube. That story is still part of who I am and it’s a big reason why “Breaking Hearts” means so much. It’s about healing, letting go, and understanding that sometimes the hardest endings lead to the most powerful new beginnings.
5. Tell us about shooting the music video in one day. Did you encounter any unexpected challenges or surprises?
Answer: At the time we filmed Breaking Hearts, we were in the middle of an intense three-day shoot. Our team filmed three full music videos back-to-back: Come Home To Me, Breaking Hearts, and Strange Love. We had just wrapped a 16-hour shoot the day before for Come Home To Me, which drops October 17, 2025, and Strange Love will follow with a song release on June 6 and the video on July 8.
Despite the exhaustion, Breaking Hearts was one of the most fun videos to shoot. The energy was incredible, and everyone involved brought a unique vibe that made the process exciting. But it was a grind. I was the point of contact for everything—making sure everyone got paid, staying in constant communication with the director, wardrobe stylist, band, and team, all while juggling calls, emails, and last-minute adjustments.
One of the biggest curveballs hit when a shoot location contacted me with an urgent issue—after business hours. I had to solve it quickly, while riding in a packed vehicle with some of my team, trying to move funds, lead a meeting, and stay mentally locked in. Earlier that same day, I had rushed straight from dance rehearsal back to the hotel to get ready and immediately jumped into filming again that evening.
It was chaotic—but we pulled it off. And now, watching the final cut and the behind-the-scenes footage, I can honestly say it was all worth it.
6. How did you go about matching the style of classic “pop-punk” music videos in the “Breaking Hearts” music video?
Answer: My director and I take pride in what we do when it comes to presenting our visual ideas to the world. We study a lot and are always aiming to be different. When creating the Breaking Hearts music video, we wanted it to reflect the raw, rebellious spirit of classic pop-punk videos, but with a modern, urban twist that makes it stand out.
The wardrobe gave you a mix of rock, urban, and edgy aesthetics, something you don’t often see blended in traditional pop-punk visuals. Even in our production, location choices, and editing, we made sure that energy came through. Not many pop-punk videos pull off urban vibes the way we did, and that was intentional. It’s nostalgic, bold, and fresh all at once.
7. How do you hope to motivate audiences with your music moving forward?
Answer: Honestly, I’d say be prepared for anything coming from Stephen Thomas. One day I might inspire you to heal, and the next, I might push you to move on and level up. Life itself is the motivation behind everything I write, sing, or rap. My goal is to speak to your heart because if my music reaches that part of you, then I know I’m doing my job as an artist. At the end of the day, it’s you and your heart that I care about.
8. Should fans be keeping an eye out for more pop-punk-hip/hop fusion anthems in the future? What barriers do you hope to break next?
Answer: Definitely! Fans must keep an eye out for sure. I’m just getting started when it comes to blending pop-punk and hip-hop in a way that’s authentic to my story. I don’t believe in boxes when it comes to music, and I plan to keep pushing those boundaries. That starts with my new EP The Universal Me, dropping August 2025. It’s a project that showcases every layer of who I am, unapologetically. The goal is to break barriers around genre, image, and expectations. I want people to feel like they can be fully themselves, loud, vulnerable, fearless no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through. Expect more anthems, more truth, and more music that doesn’t ask for permission.
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