My First Job in Music: TT The Artist
This month, Queer Capita is highlighting LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders through our series, My First Job in Music. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are centering our series on the visionary women shaping the music industry.
We continue the series with TEDRA, aka TT The Artist (She/Her), a New York-based powerhouse whose title—Film Director, Creative Director, and Dance Music Artist—only scratches the surface of her multidisciplinary impact. From the grit of Brooklyn’s independent hip-hop scene to the cutting edge of AI and new tech, TT’s journey is a testament to the "disrupter" spirit. She opens up about the "hood indie label" where she found her visual voice and the vital importance of carving your own path when the industry doesn't have a mold for you.
Read about other LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders and Allies in our community.
What was your first job in music?
I started out as a graphic designer. My first job in music was designing cover art for a "hood indie label" in Brooklyn—I honestly can’t even remember the name! I used to go to this spot that had a shop in the front, and in the back, there was a recording studio and a loft space. At the time, I didn’t even have my own computer, so I would use the Mac they had in the studio and crank out these really urban-style cover artworks in Photoshop. At the same time, I was also pursuing a career as a dancer, going on auditions and casting calls whenever I could.
Who was someone who supported you to help you get your start in your career?
Two people were very instrumental. My longtime collaborator and producer, Mighty Mark (formerly known as Murder Mark), and my dear friend Jamal, who was my first manager. Jamal transitioned last year, which was very sad for me. I’ve never met a person who spoke about me and uplifted my name and work in every room the way he did. Jamal didn’t care if you were an A-list celebrity or the local drunk standing in front of the corner store; he believed in me as an artist in all areas. I will forever be grateful for the role he played in my life.
What was a lesson you learned at the start of your career that you still carry with you?
You’re on your own. At the end of the day, you’re responsible for your own career, no matter who your “managers” or “agents” are. This is a business, and if you’re not making people money, they’ll drop you for something shinier, more popular, or sometimes just easier. That’s something you eventually learn not to take personally. I’ve always taken an independent approach because nothing was handed to me. I never fit the status quo of the typical “rap girl” mold, so I carved my own path. I still operate that way.
What was your favorite memory from your first job?
My first job ever was as a freshman in High School working at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art as an art teacher assistant. The atmosphere was amazing. Being surrounded by art, the smell of the gallery, the sculptures, the peace from the stillness... if you know, you know. I loved that space. It cemented that my purpose was always rooted in creation.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You have a great purpose to create. Never change or compromise who you are to make others feel comfortable. Live in your truth. Love yourself. Always ask questions and continue to be a disrupter. You can do anything!
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