Tia P is an Inglewood, CA based artist and music composer/producer who is killing the game. Most are familiar with her from being a finalist on the first season of the BET rap competition show “The Next Big Thing.” Since then, Tia P. has not stopped making waves in music by first being featured alongside Mary J. Blige on the song, “Feel Good” by legendary Clark sister Jacky Clark-Chisholm. She has also managed to maintain a notable presence by securing placements on shows and in movies like “Black AF”, “Shameless” and others on Netflix.
Tia P. is using her talent and voice to assist #Remember2Vote in their Voter Registration Campaign to provide resources to new and current voters for the coming election.
Tia and her management, @6xentertainment, have an upcoming Millenial Voter Rally scheduled for October 17, at Inglewood City Hall, supported by local city officials.
She plans to take us behind-the-scenes all day for a look into rallying the culture to vote!
Her passion for music comes naturally to her. In a recent interview, the artist noted that “music is the universal language.”
“It has the power to connect strangers, change moods, shift mindsets, save lives, and be a creative outlet,” she said.
Keep reading to learn more about Tia P.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
It was somewhere around junior year in high school. Up until then, I was balancing music and basketball as possible career choices, but I knew if I were to fully commit to one, I’d have to leave the other behind. I knew which one I couldn’t do without, which one consumed my mind 24/7 – the music.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Well, my parents are musicians, primarily in the gospel realm, but they both are well-versed in almost every genre of music. This was to my advantage because I grew up listening to everything they listened to: from Stevie to The Clark Sisters, 2Pac to Missy, Miles Davis to The Carpenters, Smokey Robinson to Babyface. There was a certain standard set in my house, not only just in music, but academically and personally as well. Everything needed to have meaning and intention. Nothing was ever done just to be done, especial if it was mediocre. That’s why I think people gravitate towards my music – not only because there’s a message, intention, and they can feel the passion – but because there’s a certain quality of musicianship you just can’t find in your average rapper.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
A cross between Missy, Lauryn Hill, and Anderson Paak.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
Reality and longevity. The reality was, I really liked playing basketball, but I loved making music. I hated coming home tired after games and practice, but I was on a high after sweating through my clothes after a live show. With basketball, there’s a lifespan. With music, being blessed with the right tools, can be done forever – not always as an artist, but as a writer and producer.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
It’s the universal language. It has the power to connect strangers, change moods, shift mindsets, save lives, and be a creative outlet. Who wouldn’t be excited about being blessed with a gift that can do that? That’s powerful. Stories inspire me, which I guess boils down to people. I love talking to people, not just people I know, but strangers as well. It can be a word, someone’s tone, the melodic way they unintentionally said a sentence, something I misheard in passing but sounded pretty dope to me – I mean it’s hard to turn inspiration off for me.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I love to exercise, cook, and do video editing. Even though I chose music over basketball, I never lost my athletic workout mentality. As much running around as I do onstage, I can’t afford to be out of breath. I pride myself on keeping a high energy show. Also I’m a firm believer that Black health is equivalent to Black wealth, which is why, couples with my workout ethic, I’m pescatarian/ pseudo vegan. While attending Howard University, I discovered I was quite the chef after I dropped my meal plan following freshman year. My mindset with music follows me with cooking: what can I do next, and what haven’t I tried? Similarly, those same questions drive me to stay creative and entertaining with my instagram and YouTube videos. It allows me to be creative and silly in the moment in real time, whether I’m with my crew or solo dolo. Not many people want to get up as early as I do anyway. It still fuels my creative juices, especially if it’s a visual for something I’m doing musically.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
I’d like to score a movie, like how Pharrell did for the “Despicable Me” movies. I’m a big kid, and I love animation.
Tell us about the project that you are promoting.
Usually I’m definitely promoting a new song or a video, but right now I’m promoting my non-partisan voter registration/education campaign. I’ll always have tome to promote the music, but this election is way too important to just sit on the sidelines and think my vote is enough.
What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?
I have to make mention of a song I’m featured on with the legendary Jacky Clark of the Clark Sisters, and the queen Mary J. Blige called “Feel Good.” It came out last year and received major love. What makes this more exciting is that we’re up for consideration for a Grammy nomination. Look at God!! Haha! “Come Together” featuring my boy B lade, is another song I hold near and dear to my heart. It’s on Peekaboo as well. The way it came about was so organic, the entire EP was really a pure depiction of my artistry and just of me at the time, and a lot of that still resonates.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
Soon after the election I’ll be promoting 2 singles. The first, “This My City” is part of a soundtrack in works to go along with a documentary I’m creating about the city of Inglewood – my hometown. The second is a track called “Everything Black on Black”, produced by DJ OG One, the official dj for the Portland Trailblazers. Young Rona (Corona) has all my performance date in TBD land.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music?
Do you! Be different! You are the only version of you, so whether you mess up or do ya best, you don’t need to compare yourself to anybody else. Speak truth in love, and love in truth. Oh, and have fun!
Where can we follow you on social media?
@iamtiap and my website: iamtiap.com