#t'darrio

by Erik Jarvis

While I do my best to give each artist I work with the absolute best service and care, if I told you I didn’t have favorite artists I’d be lying. One of the few ways I can demonstrate favoritism is through helping to select our homepage Artist of the Month. For July, I am very pleased to announce we have selected Phoenix-based rapper producer T’Darrio. His manager connected with Musicpage founder David Codr at the Midatlantic Music Conference last fall. Codr brought me a stack of CDs and business cards, and T’Darrio’s single “One in the Middle” was an instant favorite for me.

T’Darrio grew up in Detroit, MI and began making music as a teenager in Atlanta, GA. The musical bug was strong, as his father was part of the 1960s R&B group The Dynamics. This old R&B, plus rap giants such as 2Pac and Jay-Z, have had a huge impact on his sound. He had the privilege of sharing the stage with Roc Nation’s J. Cole on the BET Music Matters tour.

He is having what seems to be a stellar summer. In addition to being featured on our homepage this month, he was also featured in our May newsletter for winning a Sennheiser MK8 condenser mic through one of our gear giveaways last fall. Of course he’s up to more than winning the hearts and ears of the Musicpage staff. He’s fresh off shows in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Phoenix. Next week he’ll perform in his hometown, Detroit. “My first show in my city as a professional,” he celebrates.

In addition to his busy performance schedule, T’Darrio also maintains a busy studio life. Studying production / audio engineering in college, his work brings an exceptional level of professionalism to his process. Upcoming recording projects include his new single “Put Together” and the A-Side B-Side EP.

Such a diverse skillset, and, as his bio says, his “artistic abilities that bridge generation gaps” suggest huge potential for T’Darrio. In an age of instant success and rapid burnout, he seems to be poised for the long haul.

For more about T’Darrio, visit his Musicpage.com profile 

And be sure to check out his Sennheiser feature 

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.”