6 minute read
TERRIAN light it up
At just 24 years old, Gotee Records singer/ songwriter Terrian has a Billboard #1 hit with “Light It Up” from her “Genesis of Terrian” EP.
She’s also the lead female vocalist in TobyMac’s DiverseCity Band, and she was one of two Contemporary Christian Music artists to appear on Spotify’s Black Lives Matter playlist. Like one of her musical influencers, Alicia Keys, sings, you might say, “This Girl is on Fire!”
But this Memphis girl is humble. She gives credit where credit is due. Terrian knows all her success is a direct blessing from God. Like many artists, she started singing in church at a young age, and she knew early that she wanted to make music her career. In elementary school, a choir teacher helped Terrian nurture her gift. In middle and high school, staff helped her with more hands-on help that led to different music opportunities like singing in choir and a band. As she was preparing to graduate high school, she was introduced to Jill Dyson, her manager, and Angel Street, a nonprofit in Memphis that helps girls develop by providing musical training in communities with limited artistic opportunities.
Another Memphis connection led to meeting Dan Pitts, TobyMac’s manager. “He always wanted to connect us to Toby’s team, but I just never felt ready for that. Actually, I didn’t know who Toby was, so it wasn’t like alarming or anything,” Terrian said. “Once I did American Idol and was eliminated, we felt like it was time to make that connection.”
Upon meeting Dan in Franklin, Tennessee, he set her up with a couple of different songwriting sessions while keeping her name in Toby’s ears. “He actually gave me an opportunity to sing on an album called, ‘Beatitudes,’” she said. “Eventually I got to go in and fill in for Toby’s background vocalist, Nirva. At that time, she was actually getting ready to leave. So, they were feeling me out to see if I could be a potential background vocalist for him. I joined DiverseCity Band and signed with Gotee Records in the same year. It was just like perfect timing.”
And all of this happened after being eliminated from American Idol in 2015. She said the experience was really fun, and she would recommend it to any person who wants to be an artist. “You are put in the contest with people who want to do the same thing as you. You get to sing together and have fun. You’re going through this super hard process together and you make such good friends. I’m still cool with some of the people that I met there,” she said.
“You get to form real relationships. It was hard for me to be eliminated because it was difficult for me to trust the Lord’s plan. What’s funny is that it wasn’t that I necessarily wanted to be on the show, I was just sad to not be around my friends anymore. After that sting wore off, that’s when I started living open-handedly ready to receive whatever the Lord’s will was for my life. That just provided so much peace for me. That’s led me to where I am today. I don’t stress about opportunities or where I am in my career. I do the work that I can do, and I just leave the rest up to the Lord.”
Prior to releasing her “Genesis of Terrian” EP, she released some slower, mid-tempo songs, but it was the Hits Deep 2020 writing sessions that really opened the door to her current success. She started writing with Darren and Kyle from We Are Messengers, as well as Gabe Patillo, who is also part of the DiverseCity Band. “I came across a sound that I had wanted to do for so long, but I just didn’t know the people to do that sound within our industry. They were just willing to have fun with me,” she said. “We didn’t feel like there were any chains on what we were doing. We felt super free to create. Once we came up with the sound, it felt like the beginning all of a sudden for me, which is why I called it the “Genesis of Terrian.”
Now, I have this newfound baby that’s my sound, and that’s something I’m super passionate about. It just feels like it’s marked the beginning of my musical journey.” —continued on page 28—
Terrian said she didn’t know how the response would be to her debut project, so to see its success has been awesome. “Once people started receiving it and loving it, I was just glad that we stuck to what we were loving and what we were excited about in that room while we were writing. People are connecting with it, and that has just meant so much.”
As for the Black Lives Matters playlist, she said that came out of nowhere. “We didn’t know what would happen with that song because it wasn’t a single that we were going to put to radio or anything. We were just like let’s release it because we really like it,” Terrian said.
“Then this playlist picks it up, and they have millions of people that listen to it. So that meant a lot as well. Kirk Franklin and I were the only two Contemporary Christian Music artists that made that playlist. I was so glad that I got to represent the church in that space. Just seeing the things the Lord has been giving us over the time that I have been releasing music has been super sweet. I’m super grateful.”
In hopes of building on that success, Terrian is focusing on all things music now, including more writing, touring and finishing her songwriting degree at Visible Music College in Memphis. “Just trying to balance all of that and still honor my deal,” she said. “Create stuff that I love but not put too much pressure on myself. That can be a little nerve-racking, creating a whole other project. Hoping the content is good.”
She’s also incredibly grateful for the people who have contributed to her success. “He’s just brought the right people at the right time along the journey. I’ve had many mentors my entire life. That has been so helpful,” Terrian said.
“My parents and my husband have been amazing. I have many great people around me and holding me accountable, making sure that I’m staying on the right course.” To keep her on that course, Terrian lives with open hands and focuses on Isaiah 26:3, the verse that inspired her song, “Stayed on Him.”
“You have to live with your hands open and be ready to receive whatever the Lord has for your life. That has provided me so much peace for my journey. I think it is necessary for every artist to have peace of mind because it is a fickle industry. Success looks different for everybody,” she said.
Don’t try to walk into doors that you know the Lord isn’t trying to open because you’re stressed about opportunity and furthering your career. Just trust the Lord. While you are waiting, whether it’s your big break or whatever, still do the work. Perfect your craft in the season of waiting. Practice, and get out there and do the thing. Consistency, listen to the Lord, and not get too much up into your head about it.”
