Today we’d like to introduce you to Tori WhoDat.
Tori, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in New Orleans, spent a few years between Baltimore and Chicago, and lived most of my life in Memphis, TN. Growing up in these unique cities that have such significant cultural influence has molded so much of who I am and who I hope to be.
Musical talent wasn’t necessarily in my family genes, but I developed a passion for writing and got into the spoken word early in my teens. As I explored my lyricism and love for music, I was drawn to Hip-hop.
Hip-hop inspired me to be unapologetic and raw, so I aim to be authentic and honest. My journey began at the age of 14 as a Christian rapper named VicTorious then shifted direction over a decade ago when I became a more self-aware artist known as Tori WhoDat. After enduring a toxic, religious upbringing and having my eyes opened to the hypocrisy around me, I distanced myself from everything that I associated with that trauma – including writing.
When I finally did pick up the pen again, the content was different. I still had a lot to unpack and figure out but I became fixated on evolving as an artist and human. Using my voice as Tori WhoDat has given me an outlet to express what’s inside of me and sharing bits of my heart and my story through songs is a way to sort through the emotions of what I experience and connect with other people in the process.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When you’re going your own way and paving the path, challenges are inevitable.
Enduring the usual struggles of being an independent artist, juggling personal and professional relationships and everything that comes with maintaining those, figuring out how to make it all work financially, finding the time to take care of yourself amidst all the chaos, etc.
It’s been difficult, but it’s also been worth it. The rough times taught me valuable lessons and forced me to reflect, then pivot and persevere.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an independent musical artist by the name of Tori WhoDat and I write, rap, and sing.
I have performed all over Memphis and the US for various types of events – like major concerts with iHeart Radio stations, showcases at SXSW and A3C, touring with Take Me To The River at the Apollo Theatre in New York, Sundance Festival, and The Grammy Museum, too many Pride stages to list, shows organized by my team, and opening for artists such as Juicy J, Machine Gun Kelly, B.o.B., SoMo, Rae Sremmurd, Flo Rida, Mike and many more.
The last single I released, “Heather Grey”, earned me a Billboard mention, in which they stated it “sounds like the kind of chillwave, soft-rap musings you’d hear from an established act like Frank Ocean.” While this sort of comparison and acknowledgment is affirming, it’s not necessarily what fuels me or makes me feel most proud.
What has given me a true sense of accomplishment is knowing that my vulnerability and courage have made a real difference in people’s lives. I am deeply passionate about creating music and equally care about the ones listening to it.
My goal is to be a light and inspire those that relate to my story or just align with my energy to be themselves and live their truth!
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is about growth and love – meaning, if I am growing by making sincere efforts to become a better version of myself each day and loving myself and others in the process, then I am successful.
It took me a long time to simplify it, but I learned what really matters most and that’s the core of it.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@toriwhodat.com
- Website: http://www.toriwhodat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toriwhodat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToriWhoDat
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/toriwhodat?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/toriwhodat
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/toriwhodat
Image Credits
Lexi Ross (@lexirossmedia)
