Tanta T has been blazing a trail on the reggae scene, and is well on her way to superstardom on the independent scene. Take a moment to check out our exclusive with this reggae siren!
U.G. Digital Mag: Talk about how you got started?
Tanta T: I’ve always been a singer, since being a child. I started handling the music myself in 2011. I met a few people here and there, but I had to overcome extreme shyness. I could never really sing in front of others because I was so shy. In 2011, I started singing with a team who basically knew I was holding back. For various reasons, I eventually had to step away from that team. I’ve been doing it all on my own since
then. I started from there, and came out with an EP, Jamerican. It’s a mix of R&B and Reggae, and it did very well. It’s very expensive to
push yourself in this industry. My latest single is “Baddest”.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love what you put together, and I think you’re doing amazing. What are the difficulties you’ve experienced being independent? I know budget is at the top of the list.
Tanta T: It’s funny you ask. I just dealt with my biggest obstacle, which was coming into the wrong people. People who see what you’re doing, and say they want to help, but they end up doing nothing more than trying to take from you. I had it happen as someone was posing as somebody they weren’t. They did more to me personally, stealing from me. I’ve never had an experience like that, and it showed me how the world could be. Everyone says it’s cold out there, but until you experience it, you never really know. You have to be more cautious. That’s what I’m doing now.
U.G. Digital Mag: I hate that you experienced that. There are indeed devilish people out there, and they prey on the people they know will go to all limits to make it. They take advantage a lot. What makes you keep going? I think it’s great that you’re standing strong, but what makes you have that strength?
Tanta T: I would say my faith. I believe in God and what he can do to take care of people. I don’t have to chase anyone down because I know God. My best experiences have been music related. The way music makes me feel is what keeps me going. I love music.
U.G. Digital Mag: I love that. You’re doing amazing. Your video for Baddest, I’ve watched it so many times. There’s so much I want to say in terms of the quality, but in terms of Reggae music overall, you’re doing so much to put it out on the forefront. There’s a shortage of women in reggae. It’s good to see you doing this.
Tanta T: Yes. That video came with a lot of obstacles. Really, finding the makeup artists, the dancers, and the choreography was a lot. Everything that happened in the video, I had to pull it together.