Tamika J: Trusting In Yourself, Prioritizing Women And Miami’s Hype Scene

Get To Know Tamika J

She is a Miami native whose bringing Soul back into the streets of the city in a big way! She's set on making a name for herself by reminding women (and men) of their worth in her heartfelt lyrics. Tamika J is serving us soul food, and I am sooooo here for it. She is who many women have been seeking in times of need, heartbreak, and when we're feelin' ourselves. It makes me happy to know that she's using her words and her past experiences to heal others. This young woman is a part of Miami's underground but is confident that she will be making her way to the top without ever sacrificing her integrity, faith, and authenticity. Nothing in life worth having is without a struggle, so check out her thoughts on trying to make her break in Miami's hype scene, what fuels her to keep striving when facing adversity, and her mission for women.

When I think about Miami and how creatives relate to it, I see it evolving. I sense that people are becoming more cultured and even more spiritual, so the alternative to "South Beach" is within reach, but for many creatives, they don't think it's where it needs to be yet. Do you feel this way and if you do, what things do you do to stay centered?

Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is prayer and meditation. I must have a relationship with God. That's my energy, my source. I pray before any show, collaboration, or event. Also, just knowing that I have a gift and that I am special. No matter if someone says no to me or if a venue doesn't want me, knowing that I am still special. Knowing that I am going to make it. It may not be in Miami, but I know for a fact that because God has blessed me, I will make it. Having family and friends. Writing. Doing interviews like this. This all keeps me centered.

Do you think this city is lacking anything for people in your genre of music?

...girl. I was born and raised in Miami, so I think a lot of times people come here because they just want to go to South Beach and they don't understand that there's a music scene here, with original music. When I have shows they say "where's the soul at?" or "oh my gosh, is there more of you here?" and I'm like YES! But, people don't know that there's a soul music scene here because they're overshadowed by the touristy vibe. That's one of the main problems.

What do you mean? Like EDM, House, and Trap?

Yeah. In my humble opinion what I think we're missing here is the support of soul music. People are stuck on just hearing covers of popular songs and whatever is in the clubs. People like me depend on underground radio shows and underground venues to give us love.

I've met a lot of artists who are facing a conundrum on whether they should leave to an area where the music scene is already established or stay here (Miami) and try to make it a thing at the expense of possibly losing out on opportunities to spread your music and art somewhere else. Is that something you're facing?

Oh yeah. I definitely want to get out, but at the same time I'm not giving up on my city because I was born here. I have this plan of just visiting other places and maybe staying there for a couple of months, but Miami will always be my home. And of course, on a personal level, I have family here so I don't want to be far away from them I don't want to give up on Miami because I really believe that us Indie-Soul artists can really make a name for ourselves here we just need more support. Social media support. Street support. Like I recently had a show and this girl was like "wow your voice is so amazing and flawless" and I thought well...if I'm that amazing and flawless then tell people about me. Book me for another event. Recommend me, if I'm that dope. The lack of support here is just all that to me, but I'm not giving up on my city. If I had an opportunity in Nashville or Texas and they accept my sound and my soul, I'm going.

Right. I mean if your voice is spreading like wildfire somewhere else and you're making a name for yourself I don't blame you for not coming back here.

Exactly. I'm going to be where I am appreciated.

Do you feel like you just started really giving Miami a shot or have you been at your music for a while?

I started my music in 2009 and I've been going hard ever since. Do I feel under appreciated? I do. Which sucks, because I really go in for my art, but if I'm valued somewhere else I can't waste time. I have to go where "they get me". It's kinda like a relationship with a man. If you're not treating me right I have to find another man that is going to accept me for who I am. It's the same thing with the music industry.

How would you describe your sound?

I would describe myself as being Alternative-soul. It's still soulful but you can't put it in a box of R&B, Neo-soul, or Jazz. When you listen to it there are different genres mixed into it. You will hear some Jazz. You will hear some Neo-soul. You will hear some R&B. It's just not one thing.

That's amazing. What I'm feeling is like in general Miami hasn't picked up on that vibe yet, but are there particular areas where you feel they're more receptive?

Oh yes! Wynwood has definitely been that place. This area has evolved into something that wasn't here growing up. I'm going to be straight up, to see white people here is like "whattttt?" brought my mom here about a month ago and she like "Oh! Oh!" (in her mother's Haitian accent) this is Wynwood?! And I was like yeah! This area is definitely a great underground scene. There are other places in Broward and Ft. Lauderdale that have definitely picked up.

Are most of your gigs in Wynwood?

Yeah. I've started getting booked here more, and I like it. The artsy feel and uniqueness of this area suit me.

There are a lot of international people poppin' in that area now so that's great because you never know! Most people here are locals, but there are double-decker buses passing through here too nowadays!

Yeah. I mean...Beyonce was here!! 

I want people to hear my original songs and realize that they're not the only ones going through certain emotions.

Is there anyone from here that you like to collaborate with often or are you more of a solo artist?

I'm always down to collab. It just has to make sense with the brand. It wouldn't make sense for me to collab with a rapper that calls women bitches when I have a song called Queendom. I have to know what the other person is representing before I get involved with them.

Would you ever consider ghostwriting?

YES! I have some songs that I know I have to keep for myself but there are others that I'm like, hm I think another voice will be better for this. So I really want to dabble in it.

What is that you want people to feel when they listen to your music? Is there a particular message that you want to get out there?

I want it to be therapeutic for people. I want them to be able to relate. I want people to hear my original songs and realize that they're not the only ones going through certain emotions. I want my music to heal people. I want women and men- to know their worth. I know that music has healed me after I've gone through some things, so I want to create that for someone else.

I feel like right now the music industry is lacking that. We don't have enough empowering music out there right now. A lot of us are hearing music nowadays and thinking "I'm that, I don't want to do that, I don't want to be called that" but what's the alternative? Where's the popular music that makes people feel like "ok this is what I am, this is the kind of artist I'd pay to go listen to"? So I definitely think we need women like you out there to shift the messages.

I always tell people I am on a mission. I recently had a radio interview and was asked: "Why are you so big into women empowerment?" Instead of giving them the surface level response of "I want to make them feel special" I gave them the real answer. It's because women are committing suicide because they don't know their worth. Women are dying physically and mentally because they don't know their worth. I experienced it myself. I got into a deep depression, but I got out of it. I want women to know their beautifully made. That's the mission, that's the vision.Is that what fuels you?Yes, it does. Every song I sing comes from a place of experience. I've been there, and when I was going through my ups and downs I was looking for music to make me feel better. I was looking for someone to tell me I was beautiful. To tell me I am worth it. I then realized that instead of looking for it, I should make it myself then share it. And that's what I do.

That's interesting. You're the first female artist I've met that's part of this generation who has committed themselves to empowering other women so strongly. I find myself listening to old R&B artists from the 90s for boosts in my confidence but sometimes I'm like, well where are the ladies from now? Who's coming out with the quality now? I feel as though you may fill that void for many people. So just know women are looking for you because all we hear is Future calling us hoes etc.

Don't get me started on that. During this political season, I really began to see people's true colors and I'll tell you why. Let me start off by saying I am not a Trump supporter but last year we heard him saying that he "grabs women by the pussy". That's wrong as hell and I didn't like that. But at the same time, we support black men who stay calling us bitches and they talk about grabbing our pussies. Like why are we not holding them accountable as well? Trump shouldn't have said it, but people support it in music! There are rappers and vocalists like myself who talk about sex in such an artful way, but we don't get that love. We don't get it.

What do you think it is? What is it that's preventing people from making the connection?

Commercial sales!! Being in the industry has taught me a lot about marketing. I can sit here and talk about how I want to make men and women feel good about themselves through my music, but what's going to sell...?

What is it in the industry that's frustrating you the most?

So much. I would say the lack of support, especially amongst black artists. Another thing is radio play. In order for my song to be played on the major radio stations. I have to have a certain amount of money and have to be backed by a label. So for artists like me, we depend on indie radio shows and events because we don't get love from the radio stations.

Do you think you guys are undervalued?

Yes. You'll find a lot of artists having to have a 9-5 job because a lot of the shows that want to book us don't want to pay us. But if they don't want to pay us there's no fair trade off. It's just hard. It's really hard. There are a lot of things that frustrate me but I always think to myself, what's the bigger picture? So when I do my shows I remind myself that these things will lead to something.

Yeah keeping a positive attitude about all of it is important. Do you have any parting advice for female artists going through the same struggles?

Know your worth as a woman and artist. This is a male dominated industry and because you are a woman sometimes your assertiveness may come across to men like you're "a bitch" or you're a diva or complicated but you're not. Be yourself. Know your beauty. Own your sexiness and sexuality as power. Just own everything about you.

Connect with Tamika J on Instagram and Twitter,. Check out her website www.tamikajmusic.com. Listen to her latest single here!