Tedashii Anderson

Tedashii Lavoy Anderson was born on March 8, 1977, in Lufkin, Texas. He grew up attending church sporadically and initially viewed himself as a “good kid” based on societal norms and his academic and athletic achievements. This self-perception shifted significantly during his time at Baylor University, where he attended on a scholarship and participated in football and track. A pivotal moment occurred when a fellow student challenged his understanding of faith, leading to a personal spiritual transformation. This experience influenced his decision to integrate a Christian message into his rap music.

He embarked on his artistic journey in 2004, releasing his debut solo album, “Kingdom People,” in 2006. As a founding member of the hip-hop troupe 116 (formerly 116 Clique), Tedashii has been a consistent presence in the Christian hip-hop scene. He further expanded his discography with albums such as “Identity Crisis” (2009), “Blacklight” (2011), and “Below Paradise” (2014). The album “Below Paradise” was particularly significant, as it drew from his personal experiences following the loss of his one-year-old son in 2013, exploring themes of spiritual struggle and resilience.

Throughout his career, Tedashii has actively toured, including with the 116 Clique on tours such as the “Unashamed Tour” (2008), “Don’t Waste Your Life Tour” (2009), and “Unashamed: The Movement Tour” (2010). He also hosted the NGEN Radio show “Serium” and has collaborated with various artists, including appearing on Family Force 5’s song “Chainsaw” in 2013 and Manafest’s “I Have a Dream” in 2015. His music has been featured in projects for notable brands like YouTube’s Black Creators, Fast & Furious Video Game, Samsung, and Adidas.