Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Daniel.
Tina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Atlanta in a two parent working home. There I was taught many valuable things in life that I truly appreciated, but the ambiance in my home was not well. As a child, growing into my teenager years, I was always very timid, scared, a loner, and considered “very weird”.
I saw and experience a lot of terrifying things in my life that lead me to start writing all of these thoughts, emotions, pain, and feelings in my diary around the age of nine instead of putting that energy into an act of violence. I began reading poems by Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes which inspired me in several ways. One was to keep writing my thoughts and two that it was okay to share them with others when I was ready. In high school I took the first step and submitted a couple of my inspirational poems for the school poetry book. By surprise, they accepted all of them and my poems were published along with other creative students. In my heart, I always knew that I wanted to help people, inspire, uplift, and teach people that happiness does exist. When my poems were published in school, that was my confirmation to continue writing.
Fast forward, I began watching Russell Simmons “Def Poetry Jam” religiously. It filled my heart and soul. It gave me Life!! Especially when I heard the Poetess Georgia Me speak! Her energy demanded full attention when she was on stage. Her words were “REAL” and inspirational!! I told myself I want to have the voice and confidence to speak like her. I want to meet her. Late nights I would stay up and listen to Joyce Littel “The Quiet Storm” on V103 FM radio. I would hear poets from all over express their poetry in such a sexy and diligent way. I told myself… I am going to be on her show one day. Little did I know, I spoke both of those events into existence!! I began writing more poems based off of the experiences that occurred in my life. My true love and passion for poetry grew stronger and stronger everyday. I knew it was time for the world to hear my voice. It was time for the world to experience my experiences in life. My first open mic was at Apache. I told myself if I was going to “bust my poetry cherry” on any open mic then go all the way and do it there. I performed my poem “Intense Reality”. When I finished, I heard silence. Three different people approached me afterwards to compliment me on my poem. They actually told me what my poem was about. They were absolutely right. I was both inspired by their words to continue on speaking and disappointed that others didn’t understand my words. In that moment, I honestly did not know which direction I needed to take to further expressing my poetry to others. After life-altering events, I decided to change my style of writing and cater to an audience that understood the meaning of “stepping outside the box”. I decided to perform Erotic poetry. I was going to be the voice for others who were afraid to express themselves on this level of the arts. I was NOT turning back. I was determine to be heard and help change individuals’ lives.
From here, I have been featured on various poetry stages throughout the south, north, east and west coast. I have grace the radio waves of Atlanta’s V103 with Joyce Littel and “The Quiet Storm” which also included my performances on Joyce Littel “Passion & Poetry” at Center Stage in Atlanta. I’ve performed for “Tamika Fest” which honors Atlanta’s Queen of Poetry Georgia Me. This event happens every year in May. I was inducted into “Adam’s Rib” in December 2019, which was also started by Georgia Me. Adam’s Rib includes Phenomenal Inspirational Queens of Poetry on a Higher Level which includes Tony, Emmy, Peabody, Baffta and Kuumba Award Winners such as M’Reld Green, Tasha Jones, Queen Sheba, and Theresa Tha Songbird. Just to name a few. I’ve also performed for Queen of Erotica and New York Times Best Selling Author Zane and Punany Poet founder Jessica Holter (featured on HBO series Real Sex), R&B Group “Silk”, and Ainsely Burrows The Sweet Spot in NY. I’ve hosted for both “Natural Aphrodisiacs” for Bohemian Circus and “Hedonism” at Apache Cafe in Atlanta, and “ClimaXXX” a nationwide Erotic Art Show produce by SEVEN Branding. I have also performed with Coochie Chronicles: The Spoken Word Stage Play and Hedonism II in Nigel, Jamaica. I am the host/founder of “Titillating Tongues” the only monthly Themed Erotic and Sensual open mic in Atlanta since 2011.
Additionally, I am the CEO of Purple Pearl Productions LLC which produces major annual shows every year entitled “Winter Word & Wine Down”, “MENtal Stimulation”, “Menage A Trois: A Late Summers Night Dream” and “Naughty Night” since 2010 and soo much more!! My accomplishments continue to be acknowledged on a national level where I was the recipient of an award with Atlanta’s Hottest Poet Awards, Winner of The National Poetry Awards, BPC Award, Erotic Poet of The Year Female Award Of GANSPA. In addition to performing and hosting, I am the author of Menspirations: A Collection Of Sensual Poetry and S.E.E. Sexual Explicit Experiences, and two poetry albums.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me as a Poet. Let’s just say the more I grew as a performing poet and my name started becoming known for the style of poetry that I performed, it affected my personal relationships and I received all sorts of unpleasant remarks from different individuals. Remarks, let’s just say if you could imagine the WORST thing/s a person could ever say to hurt something you really LOVE doing. Yes, the words definitely stung me hard but it motivated me to sting back even harder. Relationships would always start off with them loving to see me perform, encouraging me to go further, and supporting me and my art. Behind close doors there were insecurities, competition, bashing of my name, mental and verbal abuse, and showing no love for me or my art.
These things made me fall back into my previous life of battling with depression, anxiety, not believing in myself, or having any worth. I would continue to perform at shows but it wouldn’t be at “My Best” and it never showed to my audience. I took a break from it all because it wasn’t fair to my audience or myself to pretend to be something I wasn’t at that point in my life. Once I put my faith back in God, I learned self-love, discovered my voice all over again, and realize I had to always be TRUE and REAL to myself (the way my late grandmother always taught me) and that’s the ONLY way I know how to be.
TinaATL Poet – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
TinaATL along with Purple Pearl Productions is a business where I write, host, promote, perform, organize, and produce events that express sensual, romantic, and erotic works and other variety of arts to people who appreciate the various forms of these arts. I also provide staffing for special events… bartenders, servers, cleaning services, security, and more. I am known as Queen of Erotica in Atlanta. A poet, host, author, model, and sensual spirit writer. All of my poems are my real-life experiences. When I perform, you will receive just that… an “experience” of my life. After performing, I’ve had couples thank me for “starting their night off right” other individuals will say they need a wet wipe or they will never get “that poem” out of their head.
What I’m most proud of is being able to make my audience most intimate events last a lifetime while educating, promoting safe and responsible sex, and bridging the gap between all forms of art, artist, and vouyers. I’m proud of my books and albums that I’ve published. I’m also proud of having the honor of performing on the stage with HBO Def Poets Georgia Me, Abyss, Tommy Bottoms, M’Reld Green, Red Storm, Black Ice, Cola Rum, and so many more. I’m also proud to been able to have individuals meet at one of my shows and got married and helping couples, partners, and individuals tremendously improve their sex lives. I’m very proud of being a mother and an inspiration to my young Queens. Showing them that you can accomplish anything you want to do or be in life.
What sets me apart from others is the TRUE essence, the sensual, passionate-filled, carnal characteristic quality of poetry that I express. “Illumination”! I bring light where only shadows may exist. Whether it is in music, art, poetry, dance, or literature…I AM. My political ideas carry over into my artistic and personal life and I use it to influence and raise the consciousness of my audience. My inquisitive mind along with my fresh, direct, and supple sensuality have set a new standard for all sexes.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far was being able to work with Harold R. Banke Justice Center in Clayton County in their D.U.I. Court Program. I had the honor of being a keynote speaker for one of the graduation classes. I used my voice to express my personal experiences with this problem and help inspire the individuals that are still in the program to not give up and to continue to move forward in their lives. The road is always going to get harder before it gets easier, but you can never give up. Once you’ve overcome those obstacles, it is so beautifully rewarding at the end.
Contact Info:
- Email: Tinaatl74@gmail.com
- Instagram: TinaATLPoet
- Facebook: TinaATL
Image Credit:
David Price of Priceless Photosphotography, Seven Clicks, TC Photography
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