Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tatadrian Uzoukwu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Tatadrian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I started writing lyrics around the age of nine then I learned about a free recording software called audacity. I would take my aunties desktop, whenever I went to my grandma’s house, and just create songs and record them. Up until the age of 16 when I gave my life to Christ I for the most part tried to figure everything out on my own. Then I met my mentor Dj or Yadah-Halal, rest his soul, who helped sky rocket my skills. If I knew what I know now, I would of found a mentor to help me with my writing skills as well as music engineering/production a lot sooner. The most important skill I learned to have is the ability to be teachable. It takes a certain level of humility understanding that you don’t know it all and their are others more equipped than you that you should learn from. The biggest obstacle was myself, namely self doubt holding be back. a lot of times i would quit due to lack of interest from others but the urge to create always brought me back.
Tatadrian , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I always jokingly tell people, Michael Jackson inspired me to rap, however that is in fact a true statement. At the age of 9, two key moments would change my life to what it is today. The first was watching a documentary of MJ and being so inspired I immediately went to tell my mother that I wanted to become a singer but their was one problem with that, I can’t sing. So finding that that was a very important piece in becoming a singer I turned to the next best thing in my eyes, rapping. The second was performing at my 4th grade pep-rally, receiving all those applauses cemented my dream of becoming an artist. I believe what sets me apart from a lot of artist is my testimony. Though we all have stories I hope mines will inspire the masses to place faith in Jesus the Christ and submit all of their gifts and talents to him for his glory. What I’m most proud of is the inspiration people tell me I give them and to see my goals come into fruition.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I knew of classes or even courses that teaches the technical side of producing music a lot sooner. A lot of the time it feels like I’m behind the curve playing catch up. But now I’m in a mastering program learning how to mix and master tracks.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One big thing I had to unlearn is letting trends dictate my artistry. As an artist its easy to get caught up in what can bring immediate notoriety and just go with whatever is hot at the moment. But I soon realized following trends very rarely cements an artist as impactful. I went through a season where I found myself trying to make music I wasn’t particularly into and that snuffed the joy of creation out of me. Being reminded by God that he personally formed me in my mothers womb and I am uniquely made I came to the conclusion that being myself was ok.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoumusic_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoumusic_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zoumusic_
Image Credits
DA Visuals (Instagram: @davisuals.htx)