Contest Winner: T’Darrio
One of my favorite ways we help independent artists is our monthly contests to score instruments and gear. The contests are always free to apply, and I even get to help select the winner. Last fall, we partnered with Sennheiser to give away their phenomenal MK 8 condenser microphone. Here is our feature on the lucky winner, hip-hop artist-producer T’Darrio.
T’Darrio currently lives in Phoenix, AZ. His music, however, has been largely influenced by his previous homes of Detroit and Atlanta. “Growing up in Detroit, you have to know that I have been influenced by Motown,” he tells me. “My grandfather was an early member of The Dramatics & is pictured on their 20th Century Masters album. That drives me to continue that illustrious pedigree. At the same time, I grew up hard nosed and blue collar. You hear that struggle in my music. I lived in Atlanta for 3 years during the ‘crunk’ era. That (and being broke) influenced me to start making beats.”
This interest in beat-making eventually opened more doors. Inspired by artists like Kanye West, T’Darrio says, “I like producers who go beyond making beats, who really get involved with the entire creative process. From writing hooks to vocal producing to bringing in instrumentalists. Whatever it takes to achieve that sound,” he says.
“Not having enough money to pay for studio time & beats,” led to T’Darrio pursuing producing and engineering himself. “Engineering came from me being my own guinea pig and making myself sound good,” he says, “Other artists heard it and wanted that same sound, so I gave it to them. My services are for sale by the way.”
To hear the work of T’Darrio, and the MK 8, listen to this snippet from his track “Give Me Lights.”