Today we’d like to introduce you to Tedra Wilson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tedra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. I would say that is where I discovered my love for art and music. Art is a part of my Dna. My father used to doodle and sketch sci-fi characters from shows like Star Wars and Star Trek. He also use to make me and my siblings watch sci-fi fantasy films back in the day. I would say that is why I now indulge in sci-fi fantasy films. I use to watch drawing shows and practice my sketching daily. My favorite was a show called “Pappy Land.” In high school, I attended a magnet arts program focusing on visual arts.
It was in high school when I would begin to write music and partake in lunch hour rap cyphers. After high school, I attended the Maryland Institute College of Art, in Baltimore city where I would receive my bachelor’s in fine arts with a concentration in video production. While in college I interned at MTV networks in Time Square, New York while working a part-time job at grand central scooping gelato and perfecting the art of making crepes. After graduating from college, I lived in Brooklyn, New York and worked three jobs to pay rent.
I had a job in retail, a juice bar at Equinox gym (which I hated), and a graphic design job for a lingerie tradeshow magazine. I also worked at Trader Joes and Blick’s art store (formally known as Utrecht) while working an overnight job as a visual merchandiser for Henri Bendel. New York taught me hustle. Eventually, I was able to quit all my part-time gigs and work as an artist assistant while beginning to pursue my music career professionally. In late 2008, I moved back to Baltimore to help my best friend start his art business. That was around the time when I started taking my music career serious as TT The Artist.
In Baltimore, I would spend the next 10 plus years developing my musical identity and artistry. I spent several years working in the non-profit world and in the Baltimore city school system teaching inner-city youth video and music production. I curated open mic events to assist more local artists in Baltimore with building their local fanbase. I became a local figure, a philanthropist and art activist. I would expand from music and art into filmmaking, design and fashion. With intentions set on making more connections with my work in the entertainment industry and Baltimore being limited in resources it could provide for creative growth, I relocated to Los Angeles on July 2018.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has always been filled with speed bumps and steep hills to climb. I think that is what made me stronger and a problem solver. I have always found happiness in solitude but desired affection. There were relationships that I was in that became distractions and affected my emotional state of mind which would at times interfere with my professional life. Making it through those moments taught me a lot of hard lessons. Finances were always up and down.
Being an independent artist I self fund many of my projects. So, learning how to keep my head above the water was a day to day practice. Being away from my family for years, I would miss a lot of special moments. At times, I felt self-guilt because I couldn’t be there for family events. Losing one of my aunts during my finals in high school was tragic and years later losing my uncle made me reflect even more and want to go harder to accomplish my goals so that I could enjoy spending more time with my loved ones while they are here.
A few years back I also had a manager who was a good friend of mine named Jamal. Jamal was someone who really believed in me and my music. In 2014, he was hit by a drunk driver and encountered brain injury which changed his life forever. Jamal’s story has been a big motivation for me to continue to push for my self and pursue my dreams.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I presently run two businesses Artistland Productions and Club Queen Records. Artistland Productions is a creative agency that provides art and media workshops, films, and events. Club Queen Records is a women-focused digital record label and lifestyle brand that focuses on pushing women voices in music to the forefront. Day to day I work as Tt The Artist, performer, songwriter, director, producer, designer…overall renaissance women. What sets my brand apart from others, is the ability to pump out authentic and original content straight from the artist unfiltered. Musically, I am known for bringing high energy to my live performances.
My music is a fusion of Baltimore club, Miami bass, Edm, hip hop, and pop music genres. I never let my medium define the way I want to express myself, which is why I often come up with my creative ideas then decide the best format for them. I am all about women empowerment and using my platforms to create more awareness of women entrepreneurs and independent artists.
What were you like growing up?
I wanted to do everything when I was growing up. I wanted to be everything when I was growing up as well. My mom would say I was very independent and I knew how to keep myself entertained. I was the least athletic out of my siblings. I was interested in art and music the most. I used to write lyrics in a notebook from my favorite rap songs and recite them. I was very inquisitive and always exploring new things. My imagination was huge!
Contact Info:
- Address: North Hollywood
- Website: www.clubqueenrecords.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: clubqueenrecords
- Twitter: clubqueenrecord
Image Credit:
Photos by Yasi, Kirby Griffin, Rose Diferdinando
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