We were lucky to catch up with Tyrone Blassingame recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tyrone , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

Growing up in Philadelphia with a single mother of two taught me the importance of hard work and dedication. My love for creativity began when I was little kid. I used to watch wresting with my grandfather. Groups like NWO and D Generation X inspired me through entertainment. That’s where the bug for entertainment started within me. Fast forward years later as a young adult going into college I was a basketball player who played on scholarship at Division 2 CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY. The entertainment bug was still in me so I majored in theatre. After attending Cheyney I decided to put all my theatre classes to use. I started my acting career during that process I met my mentor Clifton Powell (Pinky). Clifton told me don’t wait to be cast in something start your own so you won’t be put in a box. I always kept that in the back of my head while still pursuing acting. After being apart of a film called “Brotherly Love” starring Keke Palmer I started taking a liking to director/writer Jamal Hill. Watching him direct and seeing how everyone was apart of his vision reminded me what Cliff said this is when Overly Dedicated Network (Formally Known as Royal Family Films) started. I was all in this was my new found love not just for the film aspect but to create opportunities for other talent people I knew. Day and night I studied created failed and created again. Eventually I was able to put out a couple projects people enjoyed with my friends.

I am fascinated with the arts, street culture, and fashion which inspired me to develop my streetwear brand “Overly Dedicated”. Ten thousand hours. That’s how long it takes to perfect a craft. In order to harness these skills, you have to invest the required time and attention. That’s why my brand is called Overly Dedicated. Our mission is to inspire and motivate others to push past their perceived limitations. We are a black business that provides fashionable clothing attire and a media platform for artists to share their gifts with the world.

The feeling I get when wearing an Overly Dedicated piece is like no other because I means something it describes me as a person and I knew I would do the same for others. So I did the same as I did with film and went all in. I study and designed I attend Parson school of design and studied fashion and everything that comes with it. Falling deeper in love with fashion and garments. I knew if I have the right materials and intent on why I’m making this garment pieces the world would feel how I feel when wearing an Overly Dedicated piece. The brand is meant to help, inspire and motivate the generations before and after me. With God and a solid community of family and friends all things are possible. That’s why I’ve had the success I’ve had and more to come.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Well I told you a lot about myself and how I started in the last question. The path leading to where I am today has not been easy, but developed my character and willpower. Raising three children and pursuing the arts has been a rewarding experience but challenging. I choose to live my life focusing on the good that can happen and the growth that comes by being overly dedicated.

I am most proud of are my kids and their growth. Watching them learn and grow are one of the most joyous things to date. Some of my biggest accomplishments as a filmmaker is being nominated in multiple film festivals for my work even overseas. Also being able manifest dream TV shows I’ve worked on like (INSECURE, SNOWFALL, GROWNISH). Also associated produced a film called “SISTERS” Starring Lil Mama, Columbus Short, KD Aubert, Ciera Angelia coming out on BET August 3rd. Set to produce new film “LAST RIDE” Starring Taye Diggs shooting this summer both written/directed by Jahmar Hill.

In fashion some of my biggest accomplishments has been the brand has been seen all over the world. Different celebrities have been seen wearing the brand. Also the brand has been seen in publish magazine and major media platforms. You will soon see the brand in TV shows and movies can’t speak much about that at the moment. Also collaborations will be coming this year with celebs and major brands. God has truly blessed me and the brands.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I believe the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing your ideas come to life. To see something you had in your brain in physical form is one of the best experiences you can receive. Some of the greatest ideas are in the grave. So don’t let your ideas die with you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As we all know being a creative not the best financial job all the time. At times I wasn’t in the best financial situations. I move to Los Angeles from Philadelphia during the pandemic. I planned on moving before the pandemic hit. 3 months before I moved to LA I was dead broke. I had $2.37 in my bank account. I didn’t have nowhere the money needed to move but I continued to have faith and kept my date. Faith moved mountains and when you have faith of a mustard seed things happen. Just know before I left for LA May 1st I had the money to move.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://overly-dedicated-brand.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tyblassingame?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrone-blassingame-768a9377
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@OverlyDedicatedNetwork
• Other: https://instagram.com/overlydedicatedbrand?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Image Credits
David Nandez Tyrone Blassingame