Today we’d like to introduce you to Tisa Reign.
Hi Tisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I had a difficult childhood and I kept searching for a positive outlet to release my pain. I did everything from sports (basketball, tennis, and track and field) to charities. I went to stay at my aunt’s house one day and I knew they had a video production business but did not know they also did music production. That day I was just hanging out with my cousins and as cliche as it sounds, I heard the music. Obviously, it was not my first time hearing music ever but it was at that scale, live. I went into the studio and it was a reggae artist. Every word he sang I felt. His delivery, wordplay, how he commanded the room and the reaction to his message. This was the day I decided I wanted to do music.
Although this was what I knew I was meant to do, there were a ton of obstacles to overcome. One of which was being shy. Unlike the other songs I would sing these were my words, my message, my story. There’s always that fear of being vulnerable and being judged, so I created Tisa Reign.
Tisa Reign would be everything Jahhira needed to be to make it in this industry, Fearless! Unlike most artist names, mine was still connected to who I am as it is my middle name. It wasn’t that Jahhira was not brave and strong, all those qualities were inside of me but Tisa (my extroverted side) helped me to see them.
In my teen years, I had to juggle school and music, and coming from a Caribbean household, not going to college was not an option. This made being focused on music a lot more difficult and as the academic side of me thrived music slowly took the back burner. In my senior year of college, I went to study abroad in London and they had an open mic night. I went up to perform and the reaction I received relit that flame in me to fully pursue music and since then, that’s what I have been doing.
I have had a few opportunities, like signing to Add Ventures Music (ran by Chris Gotti- Murder Inc) for Distribution, working with 80’s pop icon Sinitta to be a part of her show documenting artists journey to success, Getting noticed by international rap superstars like Wiley, etc. All of these pivotal moments in my career keep motivating me to pursue a career in music. My goal for this year is to put out a lot of visuals and collaborate with other talented artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I do not even know what a smooth road looks like. I guess this journey started before I was born. My mom got pregnant at 15 and was not in a place to take care of me so she had to give me up. I know all she ever wanted me to have was a better life and though there were some good days, I had to also deal with physical abuse, sexual abuse, etc. The bittersweet thing about my journey is what have led money to drugs and violence, led me to music.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to call my style of music Fusion- blending cultures, sounds, and languages all in one. I do have my days where I record in a specific genre but I have the most fun experimenting and blending genres.
How do you think about happiness?
Being where I am now was supposed to be impossible but with hard work and a dream, I am in a position to inspire, this makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tisareign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tisareign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TisaReign
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7KWxB9X0HvcXl9Li0WlRAw
