Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Ross.
Tanner, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In my freshman year of high school, a few friends and I would spend our Friday nights smoking weed and trying to freestyle rap, and over time I had been told I had some skill with it; however, I had assumed that because we were high, I probably wasn’t as good as I thought. A couple of years later into my high school career, I found Jesus and became a Christian.
Since becoming a Christian, I also quit smoking and then rapping. After a couple of my other old stoner friends became Christians as well, word got around that I used to be able to rap pretty well. After being inspired by a few other Christian rap artists, I started to rap again.
One late night, while rapping in a car once again with some friends, one buddy of mine recorded me without telling me and sent it to everyone in the school. People from school were texting me all night saying I could really rap and that I should go for it. Then after a couple of years later and a small EP, doors finally started to open.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, definitely not. It’s been tough working hard every night after I clock out from my other jobs and still having to fight for recognition. I also had tons of struggles with trying to get people and producers on the same page.
Because of issues like that, my first album ended up being released over eight months later than originally planned. Nothing really ever goes completely right in this industry, but I’ve learned to stay up and move on to the next thing. If the art and work ethic are both good, all the rest will fall into place eventually.
Please tell us about TROSSTHEGIANT.
My stage name is TROSSTHEGIANT. I’m a hip hop artist with influences all over the board from old school boom bap to new age R&B. I think what sets me apart from others is first my faith. I have a different motivation and perspective than most other artists out right now. Secondly, I think my culture and influences set me apart.
There’s not a lot of white people in the hip hop industry, and few that are present, are usually labeled in a whole different sub-group for their tendency to be ignorant to hip hop culture and to draw their inspiration from similar things. I believe I’m different because of who I hang out with and where I get my inspiration from. I can fit into a sect of hip hop that most white people can’t reach.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Interestingly enough, if I had to start over, I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve realized that no matter what way you do things, in this industry, you’ll win some and lose some.
A lot of the people that I’ve watched and that have come up around me have lost a lot more than I have. The routes I’ve taken, and the decisions I’ve made have ultimately led me to take a lot more wins than losses, and on top of that, to reach a level of success that is far beyond where most people reach for how long I’ve been doing this.
Contact Info:
- Email: trossthegiant@gmail.com
- Instagram: trossthegiant
- Facebook: TROSSTHEGIANT Music
- Twitter: TROSSTHEGIANT
Image Credit:
Javier Boselli
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
