Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommy Kodel
Hi Tommy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s in Norwalk, CT, I was heavily influenced by rap and hip-hop, planting seeds in me at an early age to pursue my passion as a rapper. I dropped my first mixtape in high school with a group of friends, which created quite a buzz around school. As I began to move forward at a young age, my rap career came to a halt after I had a spiritual transformation sparked by an encounter with Jesus Christ.
As I began to whole-heartedly follow God, I stumbled upon what was called “Jesus Muzik” at the time. My brother, “The Watchman,” introduced me to gospel hip-hop artists such as Cross Movement, Lecrae, Da T.R.U.T.H., Flame, Corey Red and Precise, etc. as we used to bump their records on the way back from high school every afternoon.
While my brother was on fire, dropping two mixtapes and a full gospel rap album with another one on the way, working with upcoming hip-hop artist Andy Mineo in NY, I continued to hold off on rapping until I started having dreams of being on stage with no lyrics. This was God’s way of getting me back into rap.
Starting in 2012, I helped co-lead a monthly event in my hometown called, “Holy Smoke Hangout.” This became the venue for all CT gospel rappers to share their talents with the world. With this new movement on the rise in CT, I eventually started writing bars again, while traveling with the Holy Smoke crew. This led to many opportunities to perform in different states, such as Texas, Georgia, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Over the years, I have rocked out on many different platforms and stages including the streets of Bridgeport and Waterbury, CT in some of the hardest neighborhoods.
By 2018, I had a bunch of beats and song ideas, however I had no idea how to get them out to the public. So I invested in an online and in person mentorship at a local studio and learned how to record, mix, master, and distribute my own music. Working 1:1 with such excellent audio engineers for over a year, gave me the wisdom and motivation I needed to drop my first album in 2o2o, The Unveiling.
Since the drop of my first album, I have been blessed to be able to speak and perform on many different platforms throughout the tristate area and the US. During one of my performances in Bridgeport, CT I connected with Gospel DJ and producer Calvin Cooper, who now makes me beats. Ever since we teamed up, things have gone to a whole new level. I won most outstanding artist at the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards, Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the year down in ATL at the Prayze Factor Awards, and best gospel rapper at the McDonald’s Fest 2024 in the Bronx, NY. I’ve been so blessed and humbled through all these experiences. Now Calvin and I are workin on a collaborative album together, which should be completed and released early next year.
I currently reside in Norwalk, CT, where I teach middle school Media Arts, continue to make music, mentor upcoming artists online, and perform on a monthly basis. My passion is to reach the youth by spreading the bliss of the gospel through many different avenues, opening up eyes to see the truth of who Jesus Christ is and who we are in Him. I rap and sing over the latest pop, hip-hop, dance, and electronic instrumentals, painting a vivid picture of redemption, hope, and new life found in Christ, uplifting the listener.
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?
To be honest, the road to get where I am at today as an artist has been pretty smooth. The reason is because it is by God’s grace and not by my own effort. There is only one time I remember ever asking to perform somewhere because I was in the area at the time. Every other opportunity to share my gift has come very easy, just by being in the right place at the right time. It seems like as long as I am faithful to show up and say “yes,” more doors and opportunities keep opening. The hardest part is probably persevering through the song creation process and constantly promoting to get your music out there. As an artist it takes so much time, dedication, money, and sacrifice to create high quality music and videos and sometimes you don’t always seem the visible results from it. This is where I keep trusting God and moving forward because it is something I thoroughly enjoy and believe is making a difference in this world.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a gospel hip-hop artist. I have been rapping for the past 10 years locally and nationally. I am most proud of having my music played on the radio, dropping my first independent album on my own and now working toward my second with my producer, Calvin Cooper, winning Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Prayze Factor Awards, winning the McDonald’s Fest 2024, Most Outstanding Artist at the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards, and most importantly doing everything for The Lord and inspiring my students and all those around me.
What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to dropping a collaborative album with my producer, Calvin Cooper, and more touring, performing, rapping and ministering next year. I also look forward to getting more involved in mentoring upcoming artists online through my online program in the near future.
Pricing:
- $9.99 – The Unveiling Album
- $1.29 – Seek the Lord (New Single on iTunes)
- $249 – Online music mentorship
- $39.99 – Believe It Hoodie
- $32.99 – For The Lord Hoodie
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tommykodel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommykodel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tommykodel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCccqMcScQHy8jnYFoWstjxQ
