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BIO: Tumi Tladi  

With clear artistic intelligence, it would be an understatement to say that Tumi Tladi is absolutely talented. What can be said about Tumi Tladi is that he continues to demonstrate excellence within his craft from dance, choreography and now by becoming one of South Africa’s upcoming Hip Hop artists. Tumi Tladi started dancing at age 11 and took an active part professionally from the age of 15 through the mentorship of both Craig Bullock and Mandy Bullock, creative architects of Danceweb Studios. Through their mentorship Tumi was placed 2nd in the world at the IDO World Hip Hop Championships Junior division and as he state, “that was when I knew that I can make it within the Dance world and Entertainment industry”. There after he Joined “Red Bull Beat Battle Champions 2011” Artistic Intelligence in 2009 and became Brand Icons of Adidas. From dancing at competitions to dancing in Music Videos in South Africa and teaching all over the world, Tumi ventured out to Los Angeles to chase his dream of teaching and landed an incredible opportunity of being part of Will Smith’s children Jaden, Trey and Willow Smith music project and music video called Find You Somewhere. In Support of ELArtEffect and Youngarts, Tumi hopes to cultivate his craft as an International artist, a difficult challenge but an acceptable one from such an endowed artist.  

 

EL Interview With Tumi Tladi

Tell us about yourself. Where did it all start?

It all started when i saw a movie called you got served and thats when i knew i wanted to dance, then i saw Ushers 8701 tour and i knew i wanted to be a music artist but because i didn't have a studio to make music i focused on the dancing and i was discovered by a dance studio called dance web studio owned by craig bullock and thats how my dance career started, then after years of dancing my music persona was overflowing out of my body and i knew i needed to make this happen and i finally got to save up money to make a new song called punchline which is growing to become a hit in south africa.


What inspires you/ where do you find inspiration?

I get inspired by people around me succeeding, i don't have a jealous bone in my body because my ambitions are so high that i learn from everyone and everything and thats where i find my inspiration.


Complete the sentence. “I’m at my most creative mood when…”

when i see an awesome music or dance video and when my friends make jokes as well as talk about the industry, these things always give me ideas.


How would you describe your music?

My music is all about the party, the turn up, the dancing, i want to be the life of the party when i perform and i want people to look at me as a brand and say, " when you want to have fun and enjoy a fun crazy performance with a package of music and dance skills hire TUMI". If you can't dance to my music then i don't want to release it.


Can you tell me more about your LA experience in relation to dance?

It was amazing, the highlights were definitely working with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, doing their kids music video as a dancer was unbelievable and i was only in LA for a month that time then i got the honour of Showcasing my choreography at the LA Carnival Choreographers Ball where every agency could see my work. So it was an amazing experience but i knew i had to come home and help develop the entertainment industry


What can’t you live without?

I can't live without my phoneme my music, dancing and chicken licken, its a south african soul food that tastes on the powerful level as tacos, SA doesn't have tacos but i would live off tacos if i could haha


Any special projects at the moment?

Working on releasing my new music video of my song punchline, featuring on some tracks and going to work on my new single, really excited for it!!!


What are you looking forward to in 2015?

I want my music to blow and become the rookie of the year!!!!!

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