Today we’d like to introduce you to Chai Tulani.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was Born In Nakuru, Kenya (East Africa) on April 19th 1994, I moved to the south side of Chicago (Roseland Neighborhood) at the age of 4 years old. My father is a percussionist (not professionally) He would take my sister and I to Palmer park and play Jinbei, bongo and Conga drums all day. That’s where my love for music began and grew from. At the age of 14 my parents moved us out to the south suburbs for high school. By the age of 16 I began selling candy in school so I could purchase my first USB condenser mic from guitar center. My fundraiser was successful and at the end of my first 2 weeks of selling candy I was able to buy a CAD U37 USB microphone from guitar center for $64. Stoked to come home and record my first songs, I was quickly disappointed because I simply didn’t know how to use the mic or the recording software I was using at that time. (FL studio) It took me about a month and a half to learn how to use them both and record my first full song. I also learned to make beats on FL studio 9. I Graduated from high school and though I would’ve been set to go to Columbia College Chicago (my dream school at the time) My parents talked me out of it because it was expensive. They encouraged me to first complete 2 years at a community college and then continue the rest of my education at Columbia college. I completed my 2 years of community college, However, by that time I had decided to become a full time musical artist. I got blessings from my parents and debuted as a solo artist on my 20th birthday with a mixtape release party in April 0f 2014. Since then I’ve opened up for artists like. Coz of dream Ville, Killa priest of Wu tang, May Day of Strange music, Jay Electronica, LION BABE, Curren$y (twice) and the most recent, Wyclef Jean. I’ve released 2 projects “Pocket Juice” (2015) and “REBXL ” (2017). This year 2018 I’ve also gone on my first ever tour performing in Boston, NYC, and future fall 2018 dates in LA Cleveland and Boston again My next project titled “Son of a Chief” is scheduled to release in May of 2019.
Please tell us about your art.
I create Soul Hop music, its my own genre, I just do what comes to me naturally because the things that come to me naturally seem to have a lot to do with my purpose . When i follow what comes naturally I’ve noticed that it brings a light to myself and the people around me. It inspires people to also do what comes to them naturally, and that is powerful because I believe that what comes to us naturally is God.
I believe that when people listen to my music, they should focus more on how it makes them feel rather than “what genre is it”
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Staying consistent. It’s hard to stay consistent especially when your craft isn’t your main source of income (YET). Bills don’t stop coming and you have to remind yourself to always be a creator, no matter how many adult situations and bills we have to deal with. The biggest challenge for many artist is to remain inspired by their own art even when it’s not yet what they make a living from. My advice is to create everyday regardless, even if it’s just one line a day. One drawing a day, One idea a day. Writers block is a mindset. As long as you’ve got a pen and paper, you’re able to write something. Whether you like what comes out or not.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find all my content on www.chaitulani.com.
or on social media @chaitulani on every social media
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chaitulani.com
- Phone: 7735980723
- Email: chaitulanimgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: @chaitulani
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChaiTulani/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChaiTulani
Image Credit:
photo cred : Rebeaca Baruc, Spazz Box, Ryder visuals
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