Meet Tristan Rice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Rice.

Tristan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been musical! Ever since I can remember I’ve been into music and sounds. I’m the second oldest of four but none of my siblings were as into music as me and my older brother. When I was five, I started singing in church and I have been hooked ever since. When I was about eight my grandma Etta bought a karaoke machine so we could sing on and I never wanted to leave her house because of it. I was a troubled kid and teen but I was always so talented. I never listened, I was held back a few times, all of that. I remember one year straight I was writing lyrics on the back of my finished homework and the good songs I would never turn in lol. That caused me to fail in school. Fast forward to age 13. This is when I really started taking music seriously as a career. At 13 I found out about how amazing LA was and I always had dreams of moving here as soon as I turned 18. Throughout these years my older brother DeMarkus would record with me at home to get my studio practice up and I’m so grateful for him for that. He was my music mentor all while growing up.

Basically, my manager. In 2012, a year after my son Keenan was born my big brother actually died in a car crash where he was ejected from a 93’ Mustang. I was devastated, I was angry but I also knew that he would want me to keep going. Now at this time I was 22. My plans to move to LA had went out the window once I became a father. Then something came over me after he passed and I got my drive back!! So, in 2014 when my son was turning three, I decided to leave Illinois and sacrifice being away from my son for a little to follow my dreams. It was soooooo hard! I moved to LA in 2014. Went home to Illinois at Thanksgiving and never returned by I was missing my son. Tried coming back to LA in 2015. This time I had a beautiful daughter on the way (Jazleigh) so when I started getting homesick, I moved back home again in 2015. Lol. I’m just so in live with my kids so it was harder for me than the normal person. I returned to LA in 2017 on a one-way ticket and never looked back! In 2018 when I was living in North Hollywood, I met producer Orlando Williamson at the world famous 17 Hertz studio. I’m not sure what I was thinking but I only mentioned my photography hobby to Orlando. I was later invited that day to come take pics for a session he was doing. When I got there the studio was beautiful. Had always wanted to see the inside of 17 Hertz. There was one beat that came on that I couldn’t stop singing too. Orlando already had a few writers in the room. I asked if I could go in the booth and I felt like the room stopped lol. I was there as the photographer. Of course, let me step in the booth and the rest was history from there. That night I didn’t know we were creating the song that would turn out to be Chris Brown’s “No Judgement” literally next day Chris was asking for the song. It felt sooo unreal. For months I didn’t believe it. The day that Chris posted the track list for the “Indigo” album I was literally jumping in my living room!!!! It was sooo rewarding to see my name next to someone I thought it would take me years to get to.

Chris Brown was my first placement! Wow. My life has been changing every day since I moved to LA. I bought a one way ticket and never looked back. My kids now being older are able to come to LA during the summer and they love being here and being with daddy. I am soooooo thankful that I took a chance on myself so that I could see my dream. It’s one thing to have a dream but it’s another thing to actually live it. I’m am now a platinum, RIAA certified songwriter! What is life, you say? A dream literally. I’ve gotten to work with Chris Brown, Stacy Barthe, Sevyn Streeter, Brandy, Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross, Hitboy, P2j, Stefflon Don, Jason Derulo, Swae Lee, etc.

Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not smooth at all! In 2018 I was homeless for a few months. I never told my mom or family or friends. I was actually homeless when we placed Chris brown. If my mom had found out she would’ve come and got me so fast lol. So glad I had the strength to push through it and get through it. Look at the reward!!

We’d love to hear more about your music.
Songwriting consistency. I love creating and seeing how everything turns out. I don’t limit myself on genres so I’m writing a little bit of everything. Be on the lookout for my EP This summer called “Another Year Without Friends.”

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Amazing place for a business like this!! LA is one of the biggest music scenes and by far the biggest music scene I’ve ever been a part of.

Contact Info:

• Email: mrvocalstv@gmail.com
• Instagram: @plaqueychan

Image Credit:
I shoot everything myself

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