Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika J.
Tamika, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Tamika J. born and raised in Miami, Florida and I am currently living in Los Angeles, California. My journey into the music industry was (as corny as it may sound lol) love at first sight. When I heard the power, the beauty, the melodies of music it touched me in a way that was indescribable. I love how music makes me feel and then at an early age, I realized I had the gift of singing! It was pretty cool to acknowledge this gift and use it to bless myself and others. As soon as I became a singer/songwriter, the creative juices never stopped!! I love the projects, the performances, everything that has to deal with music!! It is a very powerful tool and I am blessed to have it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Anything that is a gift is never smooth!! You will go through tests that will determine how bad you want it!! And YES, I dealt with many struggles and it has not been a smooth road!! I can list a few things that I have struggled within the music industry, from financial issues, finding a band, dealing with vocal insecurities, being a black woman in a male-dominated industry, comparing yourself to others, hearing more No’s than Yes, body image, ageism, racism, sexism, colorism and the list continues!!
Recently, the hardest struggle was being told No in front of the world!! I was on Season 17 NBC’s The Voice! The opportunity was amazing but the sad part was the show tried to coin me as a rapper and I wasn’t able to really show “Tamika J.” and when no chairs turned for me, it was the No that broke the camel’s back!!
I went through a grieving process and I was going to quit the music industry!! There comes a point in an artist’s life where you have to mourn being told, “No” countless times and that happened to me and I just went through a breakdown!! After The Voice, I escaped; I disappeared and didn’t want to talk music at all! It was one of the hardest things to deal with because I love music but it seemed like it didn’t love me back!! I had to go through self-healing and give myself that time to grieve.
Fast forward to now, I am SO much STRONGER and BETTER, not bitter but BETTER! I released three new projects during the pandemic. Same Man Remix EP, my instrumental album, which I produced called “Genreless” and “Skin.”
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a Haitian artist (singer/songwriter) born and raised in Miami, FL and now living in Los Angeles, California. My business, “TamikaJMusic” specializes in a collection of songs written by me. It’s a body of transparent stories told through melodies, harmonies, instruments, poetry, movement, performances and lyrics, as India Arie would say, it’s a “songversation.”
What sets me apart from others is my mission is to make purpose dope again, to make timeless music, to create performances that are electrifying, to use music through my body. I believe what also sets me apart is my willingness to put my heart and soul in my music and in my performances and remain original. There are so many artists that wanna be apart of the same wave. I choose to be original as hell and create my own wave.
What makes me proud is when my supporters share their stories with me. I’ve had so many moments where a supporter of my music comes up to me with tears telling me how my music and performance blessed them! Those moments will NEVER get old! Also, what sets me apart is that I turn my No’s into fuel and every time I get denied access, it makes me better!!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the industry will change by never relying on major record labels to promote artist’s music. I already see the shift happening today but I feel more artists will take 100 % control of their music. I also see contracts being more simple to read so that artists can understand what they are signing. Overall, I see complete ownership and I am working everyday towards that goal.
I want people to know that purpose, goals, visions are more than a trend but necessity in life!!! I believe my overall existence in the music industry is so needed and this is why I work so hard… lol sometimes too hard!!! I see myself in the next 5-10 years touring the world, making music and building a brand that uplifts the Haitian and Black Culture, that reminds women we are worth it, reminds men that you are needed, reminds the world that music and self-love and love for others is crucial to healing the issues of this world!! I also want to remind people to have fun! Dance, laugh, be joyful!! I see myself spreading that message forever!! There is no deadline to spreading love and healing!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tamikajmusic.com
- Email: tamikajmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/tamikajmusic
- Twitter: twitter.com/tamikajmusic
- Other: youtube.com/tamikajmusic
Image Credit:
Photographers: Jenny Desrosiers @jenny_desrosiers
Monhand @monhandworks
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