From Southern roots to spicy ramen and smooth R&B vibes, Tim Gent is bringing soul to life in every way this Summer. Be sure to check out the delicious Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen recipe below!
Tim Gent is focused this Summer. His remix of “Make Love, Baby”—featuring Akeem Ali—dropped just before their tour kicked off earlier in June, signaling a new season for the Tennessee-based artist. “Make Love, Baby” marks the beginning of a series of releases for his upcoming project, Change Is Good, reflecting his current state. This project represents a turning point in Gent’s sound, rooted in R&B yet influenced by hip-hop, showcasing his journey as a man, husband, and artist seeking balance. Change Is Good explores his love story, from his early days in Clarksville, Tennessee, to meeting the woman who changed his life. Now married and confident, Gent contemplates growth, vulnerability, and maturity. It’s romantic, reflective, and mature. “We’ve been married a year now,” he said, “but this album is about the full journey to get there. That growth.” With production by AB Eastwood and Case Arnold (also an artist from Clarksville, TN), Change Is Good signifies a shift in Gent’s sound. While his earlier music was introspective, this chapter is bolder—radio-ready, party-approved, and crafted for broad connection.
Musically, he’s evolving as well. The beats truly come alive, and the hooks feel sharp and catchy in his new release. Gent has teamed up with talented producers AB Eastwood and Tay Keith to create a sound that retains the lyrical richness he’s known for, while being intentionally designed for a broader audience, intended to resonate in clubs, on stage, and through car speakers. This signifies a deliberate shift from the introspective “backpack rap” of his previous work to a more refined and approachable sound that maintains its soulful essence.
I wanted to move away from that ‘backpack rap’ and make something more commercial, but still keep the essence of who I am.
His musical roots run deep. Raised in the church, Gent began playing drums and singing at an early age. However, a fateful introduction to Fruity Loops in high school, from his stepbrother, ignited the spark. “We were making songs in the room just for fun,” he said. It wasn’t until his senior year that he saw his peers releasing full mixtapes online and realized: I can do this too! Inspired by J. Cole’s Friday Night Lights and Kendrick’s Section.80, he recorded his first project while attending Middle Tennessee State University and never looked back.
His influences are a rich blend of soulful and Southern styles, with Musiq Soulchild, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Gucci Mane all playing key roles in shaping his musical ear. R&B and gospel taught him melody, while hip-hop gave him the grit and lyrical muscle. One full-circle moment stands out—his wife, a singer herself, toured as a background vocalist for Musiq Soulchild. He finally ended up meeting the artist who really shaped his sound, and it felt like the universe was giving him a little nod of approval.
There’s a philosophy behind his work, too. Gent often speaks about “Catching Height in Every Fall”—a mantra he’s abbreviated as “CHIEF”. It’s all about finding light in dark moments, seeing beauty in the mess. That energy runs through Change Is Good. The project is less about preaching positivity and more about living it. He wants listeners to press play and feel like—just for a moment—everything’s okay.
It’s about seeing the good, even in the tough stuff. That’s what I want people to feel when they hear my music—like everything’s okay in that moment. The vibes are good.
Outside the booth, Gent is just as intentional. He’s already thinking about legacy: touring globally, writing for other artists, and building programs to support young creatives in underserved communities. As a man of faith, he also hopes to continue spreading love, hope, and the message of Christ through his music and outreach.
I want to create opportunities in communities like the one I came from. Spaces where young people can express themselves, have an outlet, and know they’re supported. And yeah—I’m gonna keep spreading the message of Christ through all of it.
Tim Gent’s story is one of evolution—sonically, spiritually, and personally. He’s stepping into a new era with clarity, confidence, and a sound that’s as smooth as it is honest. If Change Is Good is any indication, Tim’s only getting better—and we’re all here for it. Be sure to stream Tim Gent’s music on all listening platforms and check him out on tour this summer with Akeem Ali!
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When it comes to food for Gent, it’s all about family-style comfort. He lights up while talking about his mom’s legendary cookouts: mac and cheese, grilled BBQ chicken, steak, collard greens, and cornbread—the whole Southern spread. That sparks a sense of nostalgia for him and continues to bring everyone in his family together.
Day to day, Gent and his wife have a passion for Asian cuisine. “We love sushi and ramen,” he shared. One of their top choices is Black Dynasty in Nashville, especially the Hellfire Style Miso Tonkotsu Ramen, which features creamy pork broth, Hakata noodles, sliced pork belly, miso tare, pickled collards, soy-seasoned egg, scallions, jalapeno slices, chili crisp, and nori. “I enjoy it spicy,” he laughed. Gent and his wife are also planning a trip to Thailand next year to indulge in the local food scene.
Honestly, I could enjoy Asian food every day.
When it comes to snacks, as a kid, he loved oatmeal pies and sweets, but now he enjoys fresh fruit, smoothies, and even seaweed strips. However, if dessert is around, you can bet he’ll be reaching for some delicious chocolate cake—or maybe some yellow vanilla cake topped with rich chocolate icing.
For this feature, I went with a Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen—a dish that’s as bold and comforting as it is fun to make. It’s built around a rich, creamy broth, packed with Japanese Hakata noodles, tender sliced pork belly, crunchy chili crisp, nori, and a perfectly jammy soy egg. The heat hits just right, making it the kind of spicy comfort food that sticks with you. It felt like the perfect way to honor Tim Gent’s love for Asian cuisine, while also giving a nod to one of his favorite local spots in Nashville. Check out the full recipe below!
Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen
*Servings: 4
Ingredients for Soy Eggs
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Ingredients for Soup Broth
- 4 cups chicken bone broth
- 2 cups unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk mixed with 2 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons organic white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, grated
Ingredients for Pork Belly
- 1 pound pork belly, sliced into ½-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon organic white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Ingredients for Noodles & Toppings
- 4 portions of Japanese Hakata noodles or organic plain ramen noodles (discard flavor packets)
- Green onions, sliced
- 2 jalapenos sliced for garnish
- Crunchy Chili Oil (I used S&B Crunchy Garlic with Chili Oil Mild Umami)
- 1 package of organic seaweed snack sheets (The smaller ones are preferred, but if those are unavailable, you can use a full sheet cut to size.)
Directions
- Note that steps 1 to 6 must be done the day before. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently lower the eggs into the water and boil for exactly 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Place the eggs quickly in an ice bath and let them chill for 15 minutes.
- Peel eggs carefully.
- Mix soy sauce, sugar, and water in a small container. Add peeled eggs.
- Marinate the eggs in the refrigerator overnight.
- Add the pork belly, garlic, honey, miso, and soy sauce, then marinate overnight in a covered container.
- The following day, heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the pork belly until it is browned on both sides. Set aside.
- In a large pot, combine chicken bone broth, coconut milk mixture, miso, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. Heat gently (don’t boil the coconut milk), whisking to dissolve miso. Simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Boil the noodles of choice according to the package directions. Drain and rinse briefly in warm water.
- Place noodles in each serving bowl. Ladle hot broth over the noodles. Slice soy eggs in half and place on top. Add the pork belly, green onions, jalapeno slices, nori sheets, and top with crunchy chili oil
- Serve and enjoy!
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