Aug. 23, 2024, marked a significant moment for Robin Thicke as he made his long-awaited return to music with the release of his new single, "I Know What To Do," following a three-year hiatus. During this time away, the Los Angeles native faced personal challenges, including losing his home to a fire and "living on the road" with his family while continuing his role as a celebrity judge on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.” Thicke explains his decision to step back from music, saying, "I have four kids now, and I wanted to take time. My house had burned down, and we were living on the road. Once I got settled, I was able to focus on music again. When home life is smooth, it makes it easier to create."

"I Know What To Do" is the lead single from Thicke's forthcoming album, set for release around Valentine’s Day. As a special treat, Thicke recently dropped a remix of the track featuring a surprising collaborator—DreamDoll. "The guy who runs Run-It-Up Records, [Stanley ‘Citi’ Atwater], got her to do a couple of verses on it. When I heard it, I was like, ‘Oh, that sounds killer.’ She killed it—the verse, the video—it came out great," he praises the Bronx rapper further, saying, "She was wonderful. Very easy to work with. Lovely, with a great spirit and energy."

While discussing the new album, Thicke expresses confidence in the music, largely due to the time he took to create it. "I love when I get excited about a song and feel like, 'This is the Robin Thicke music people want.'" He stepped out of his comfort zone for this project, collaborating with younger writers and producers to bring fresh ideas and energy to his music rather than relying solely on his longtime producing partner, Pro J.

The inspiration behind the album stems from both the highs and lows the 47-year-old has experienced over the past several years. "Things are going very well. I've got the TV show, new music, happy kids, and a beautiful house in Malibu. But I also went through six years of tragedy,” he continues. “I got divorced, sued, I lost my father, my manager, my house, and my mentor and best friend, Andre Harrell. And that was all within six years." Thicke explains that his upcoming album touches on themes of healing, self-reflection, and fatherhood, adding, "The album is about getting through those tragedies, working on yourself, your relationships, and being a good father. It’s also about celebrating and being grateful to God for everything I still have."

Thicke credits his children with helping him heal. "After my father passed, I had three kids in three and a half years because I wanted to fill that void... Losing my father, who was my best friend and hero, left a huge hole in my life. Now, I have a busy house full of kids running around, and it’s everything I dreamed of," he says.

Thicke is currently on tour with Boyz II Men, a group he admired as a child. "I grew up studying their harmonies and riffs, so I’m a big fan,” he says. “What’s great is that we’re all dads, so we do the shows on the weekends and spend the weeks with our families. It’s the perfect setup for me."

Thicke also speaks about his evolving role as a judge on “The Masked Singer,” which has allowed him to take himself less seriously as an artist. "I’ve always been a serious artist, but doing ‘The Masked Singer’ has given me a chance to laugh at myself." 

As the singer balances his career and family life, he has learned the importance of managing his time. "With four kids and a partner, you have to give each of them 20% of your love, time, and attention—that’s before you even factor in work. So I have to spend my time intelligently because my kids want my attention, my partner wants my attention, and then there’s the TV show and the album. But I’m excited for everyone to hear it. I can't wait."