Tai Verdes is asking for something.
It is a bold way for an artist so fresh on the music festival scene to carry himself.
Verdes tried out for singing contests seven times. He kept his voice fresh by singing in his car for an hour and a half a day. He was prepared when “Stuck in the Middle” went viral. He says it was only a matter of time. The question becomes “what’s next?” since Verdes is one of the greats.
Verdes is set to perform at a festival for the first time.
What do you think about your set? It’s a big deal for a new artist to be scheduled late in the afternoon.
I’ve been trying to do that for a long time. One of my goals is to headline a festival. I’m not going to be surprised when that happens. I’m just taking it one step at a time. We’ve made it to this stage so far.
Your story is sometimes referred to as a fairy tale. It feels like the culmination of a lot of work to you.
I’m black and I like music. This is what it is. A lot of people look at me and think, “Oh, my God, he’s stupid, he worked nine to five and dropped out of college.”
I’m not dumb. What is the worst thing? I say the alphabet in my song that is most popular. Are you aware? Everyone is saying “Oh, this is easy.”
The reason why I’m winning is because I have two parents. I need to take music class. Private school was where I attended. Public school was where I attended. My dad is a member of the board of HBCUs. I resided all around. My family took me all over the world. I have seen the painting. That is what the story isn’t telling for me. Most of your favorite artists have a lot of privilege.
“A-O-K” and “Stuck in the Middle” are the same two songs that blew up for you, but have people known you for them?
You might make another one. And then two more and two more. I don’t have the power to change the way that art is seen. I have the ability to determine how much I make.
“I own my publishing b*tch” was something you said on the social networking site. It’s easy for young artists to be taken advantage of if you talk about your healthy relationships with labels and the creative process. You haven’t done that.
I’ve not.
Do you not think so?
I did my best at the time. This sh*t is working because of me.
When I’m trying to work with a label and I have to talk to people that are older than me, not my skin color, and have only seen my success because of my money, and when I’m putting myself in a position where I have to talk to people that are
“Hey guys, let’s get in a room and you need to market this person,” I would say. He is a 26 year old black man. Someone is going to market it. A room full of white men? It seems like it’s not going to work. I think the reason I’ve done my best at creating a creative story is because I’ve taken ownership of everything. I did my best when I didn’t have control. I have been trying to push after A-O-K.
It’s just 50 percent business and 50 percent art, and every single day it becomes more clear to me that I’m correct.
Do you think we are close to a point where the music is in danger?
It has to be good. The people don’t like carbon copies. I understand the vibe of a pop princess song if you’re trying to make something. That can be a great song. One of the best songs in the world can be made by a guy on a guitar. Allowing things to be what they are is a judge as well.
I think that I am a taste maker. My creative director and I are the biggest tastemakers. The tastemakers of who is doing it well are us. People aren’t in the music industry. They are the tastemakers because they have no emotional connection. Is the music great? Do you think it’s cool? They’re talking about something. They are saying something.
How are you going to perform for a crowd?
I don’t know how to talk about it. I was performing just off of excitement. I had to learn how to use it. I want to be the best. I’m trying to mimic Bruno Mars. I’m playing guitar. I’m saying something.
I was singing in my car for six months. I kept doing that. I’ve never had a better singing voice. It’s going to keep going that way. It’s the best. It’s going to keep going that way because I’m the most proficient at the most instruments that I’ve ever played.
Taking a chance is what makes you an artist.
Newsweek’s Life Is Beautiful coverage can be found at newsweek.com and on On Beat.