Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Antar Tidwell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Antar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

I would say the most innovative thing that I have done in my career, was transform myself from a rapper to an engineer, and then to a music executive. In the beginning this was only a dream, because I didn’t physically know anybody in these career paths whom I could utilize as mentors. Nevertheless, things started to charge as I fully applied myself to my craft, and expanded my mindset to network on a more intense level. There was a lot of conflicting interests during this process, and I had very minimal guidance while pursuing these paths, but that didn’t detour my vision of being successful and changing the cycle of my family. I endured an array of sleepless nights, while fighting depression of being away from my family for lengthy periods of time during this process. However, I understood that this was only a sacrifice to position my family for a greater future, with more opportunity for the generations to come. The main tools that fueled my innovative thoughts was that fact that i’m very determined and persistent to overcome stereotypes and false predictions of my future.

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

BIO:

Antar Tidwell, better known by his stage name CTC Crazy Duwop, is an American rapper/entrepreneur, father, Engineer, and military war veteran born in Chicago. Tidwell’s music first became popular during his early adult years in the early 2000s among high school & college students from Chicago’s South & West Side. CTC Crazy Duwop has worked with various Chicago Legends (Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Lil Reese, Fredo Santana, Yung Trello, Bo Deal, LEP Bogus Boys, Sly Polaroid, Z Money, Cayex Illah, Gaggie, Young Chop, Twista, etc.), as well as current female sensation Big Daddy Deja. CTC Crazy Duwop is a musician, music executive, artist management, A&R, and more. In addition, he has excelled through his infectious marketing skills, party promotions, and energetic music catalog. CTC Crazy Duwop has been featured in multiple magazines (The Source, Hip Hop Weekly, Worldstar Hip Hop, etc.), TV Shows (The Jim Jeffries Show, DOPE Netflix series, Drugs Inc, and VICE/Gangland) and various Documentaries (BBC News, 60 Minutes, French TV, Comedy Central, Fox 32 Chicago, etc.). The BBC News “Lost Streets of Chicago” documentary starring CTC Crazy DUWOP was also nominated for an Emmy Award. He has quickly made a name for himself through hard work, hustle, and creativity.

CTC Crazy Duwop attended Englewood High School & Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where he excelled in dual sports (Basketball and Football). After allegedly being expelled for drug conspiracies, Duwop chose to pursue the military for the next six years. After returning from two tours of duty in Iraq, Duwop then decided to launch his own record label and management company in Chicago. After Duwop released his biggest single “Taking Breathes” featuring Chief Keef, his career started to soar.

CTC Crazy Duwop would soon relocate to Oregon state to pursue an additional career in Data Center Engineering with IT heavyweight Amazon Web Services. While living in Oregon and Washington state, he proceeded to become an engineer through his six years spent on the west coast. Upon returning to Chicago, his new management company became more of a reality than a profitable hobby. CTC Crazy Duwop transitioned to music executive/management, artist development, and A&R, which introduced him to new players within the local and national music communities.

What type of products/services/creative works you provide?

I provide various services to my clients such as marketing, online & street promotion, music management, artist development, A&R services, innovative ideas, booking services, event planning, etc.

What you think sets you apart from others?

What sets me apart from others is my drive, determination, and goal alignment/execution. I always aim to exceed the expectations in whatever I am doing in life. Whether its for a client or myself, I strive to achieve the best possible results regardless. Quality over quantity has been a long term motto that I live by.

What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.?

I am most proud of how far I have come over the years. I can honestly say I started off rough during my early teenage years. I always had hustle within me, but I had a lot of doubt due to fear of the unknown. I was eager to change that about myself, and I did just that. I also held myself back from various opportunities due to anger issues that I had built up inside of me from not understanding how being raised in poverty can leave a person with PTSD. I was able to overcome these obstacles and enlighten my peers around me with positive solutions and strategies to overcome their issues as well.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Okay so as I remember back to 2014 when I was at the height of my rap career, I went from performing my last show in front of a sold out crowd of 10,000 people alongside the rap legend “Gucci Mane” in my hometown Chicago, Illinois to receiving a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a Engineer. I only had a weeks notice to make my decision which included me relocating from Chicago, Illinois to Oregon state. This opportunity came with special stipulations, and one of those stipulations were to walk away from my current career as a rapper as this profession was a conflicting interest with my current image in the new engineering field I was about to enter. I proceeded with the opportunity to open new doors for not just myself, but my peers & family members also. Plus I knew that I had a passion for working in the music industry, but I had to find a more creative way to do both careers without them conflicting with one another. So I devoted myself full-time towards becoming a music executive aside from being the actual artist. This was major as it allowed me to see into the industry from behind the scenes, but through a whole new light/perspective. I was able to focus more on my time management, and enhance my business mindset/strategies. Additionally, I knew that I was very passionate about teaching those around me, so I started developing artist so that they can have a better chance towards progressing in the music industry. Which brings me to where I am today, and I consider this a very crucial pivot point in my career as well as my life.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I feel as though maintaining great relationships with clients and following through on promises made were critical to the growth of my current reputation. As a lot of those same clients are still in the industry but with much bigger platforms/businesses. These relationships are still valid, and contribute to a lot of my current business moves. However, I have come to realize that over time your actions tend to follow you whether good or bad. So having a great report, first impression, good customer service, etc equals longevity in the business world. This also helps build you brand to become a household name. I was raised to treat others how I would like to be treated in return. That approach will always drive new business your way, as well as compliment your great reputation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @CTCCrazyDuwop_
• Facebook: CTC Crazy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antar-tidwell-sr-29712878/
• Twitter: @CTCCrazy
• Youtube: Youtube.com/CTCCrazy09
• Other: TikTok: @CTCCrazyDuwop

Image Credits
CTC Crazy Duwop, OG Dino, Bre Murda, & Moni Da G