Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Hall.
Hi Taylor, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m an Artist, Activist, and Public Speaker. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN and am currently based in LA. I graduated from Ball State University in 2021 with a degree in Public Communications. Where I served as the President of Men and Women of Color, interned for the U.S. House of Representatives, and became a leader on my campus and in the Indianapolis community during the 2020 Black Lives Matter Movement. I assisted in organizing over 30 protests in 2020-2021; one being the largest protest in Indianapolis for Racial Justice in 30 years with over 10,000 people in attendance. At that protest, I performed my debut single “I Can’t Breathe” as a message of standing for love not hate.
I ended up traveling around the country singing and speaking for protests and events most of that summer. Combining my love for advocacy and music, I founded the company Artivist LLC. With a mission of inspiring activism through art. Which consisted of speaker series and programming centering “artivism” in Indianapolis and communities around the country. After traveling back and forth from Indy to LA for music pursuits/networking every month or so; I ended up moving to LA full-time this past October. I just signed my first distribution deal and am preparing to release my first EP, “Happy that it Happened” this September! My day-to-day consists of me going to the studio, implementing programming and speaker series under Artivist LLC, and working in community organizing with the newly founded nonprofit “Not Too Cool To Care.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge as an organizer and artist for me has been taking care of my mental state and well-being. Advocacy work (especially when you’re front lines) deals with a lot of trauma and consoling. The majority of my time was spent in the field protesting or meeting with families and after about a year or so that led to burnout. Part of the reason for my move to LA was to help with balance and boundaries. I can say I’m in a much better space now mentally and emotionally. I’m super excited to be working in civic engagement again and am happy to be organizing with an amazing group of people here in LA.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a singer-songwriter/ guitarist & my main pockets are Alternative, Indie-Pop, and R&B music! I’m known for my songwriting and message music. As well as my community organizing and initiatives. Every song of mine is based on a personal story and when you write from your heart people can feel/connect to it. The thing I’m most proud of is the people and communities I’ve touched with my music; whether it be a song about advocacy, mental health, or finding your purpose. It’s inspiring for me to see how my lyrics and actions can impact and heal someone when they’re going through a rough patch. I’d say what sets me apart from most is that everything I do (not just in music but in life ) is intentional and has a bigger meaning and message behind it.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people don’t know that I’m a former athlete. I used to play basketball and that’s how I started building my brand and got the name “Tay Mamba.” I’m a huge Kobe and basketball fan and have a pretty big Kobe tattoo on my ankle. I originally went to school to be a sports broadcaster and I have a minor in sports studies. I didn’t decide that I wanted to do Music and Advocacy work full time until my last semester of college.
Contact Info:
- Website: thetaylorhall.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tay.mamba/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylor.hall.125323/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mambatay
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqxHDSCyHJTBPev4GBY3wMw/videos
- Other: https://www.flowcode.com/page/taylorhall
Image Credits
Michael Silvera Tyce Treadway Sam Boro John Macon
