Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Mapp aka Tiffani Michelle (Artist name).
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
To share my story, I must discuss my background.I am a preacher’s daughter from Temple,Texas and came from a religious family on both sides that was in music, the arts, education, counseling, medical, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership in the community including African-American and marginalize. My parents are young, only 20 years older than me and I have a brother 10 years younger. My father is a guitarist and singer and was in a R&B Band and a gospel group back in the day. My paternal grandmother was a Counselor, pianist, and singer as well. She was scheduled to sing for President John F. Kennedy in Austin, TX (I have the newspaper clipping), but he was assassinated. With this legacy and my parents love they strongly cultivated my gifts and talents. My father was the first person that taught me music and my paternal grandmother taught me later on in life how to “survive” in the music industry as an entrepreneur. With their influence and inspiration: I love God, believe in my abilities, and always wanted to achieve and serve others with my gifts and talents.
As a child, I learned the piano, was a baton twirler, taught myself to sing harmony (my church only sings Acapella),was a vocal soloist, played saxophone in marching band and jazz bands in middle and high school. This led me to an academic, jazz band, and vocal scholarship at Southwestern Christian College (SWCC). I participated in jazz band, SWCC Acapella Chorus, and SWCC Summer Tour Esemble 1991-1992. I was also a singer in a campus R&B live band and girl group! I had so much fun performing, recording, and traveling in the states performing. I obtained an A.S. Degree in Music in 1992. I attended Oklahoma Christian University and briefly was in an ensemble, ‘Maranatha.’ I obtained my B.S. in Social Work in 1994. Later, I obtained my M.CJ in Criminal Justice Administration at University of Central Texas in 1996 and a Post-Masters in Counseling in 2004 at Tarleton State University- Central Texas now both are renamed Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen, TX. Last, I attended Capella University and pursued a Ph.D in Counseling Studies from 2004-2010, but decided to drop out to pursue a music career.
How I started in the music industry was when I was in my late 20s. I was a special education teacher and participated in a student/faculty talent show on my middle school campus. Not knowing my background everyone was amazed. Then when I became a Counselor in 2003 I was asked to sing during National School Counselor Week in my school district: Killeen ISD. This led me to singing at university commencement exercises, and then I became a professional singer for weddings and special events in Austin and surrounding cities in Central Texas.
After my divorce in 2005, I had a friend and colleague whose aunt is the lead singer of the legendary R&B S.O.S. Band who saw my talent and introduced me to a producer and engineer in Killeen. I produced one single, ‘I’m Free’ in 2007. It was never released, but I performed it. Fast forward to 2010, after I quit my Doctoral program, a church member who was in the military on Ft. Hood, performed songs from his LP at a Youth Day and I loved it. I asked him where he recorded. He stated Spitshine Studios in Austin,TX. and the rest is history. This is the only studio I go to and I’ve recorded there for 11 years completing 6 LPs, 2 compilation LPs, and 4 Mixtapes. During my career, I started performing at open mics at the the Neo-Soul Lounge in East Austin and for special events in Killeen and Austin area.
Through my background and experiences, in this season I have evolved to “more than music, but a lifestyle of self care and wellness.” The music industry drastically change since my last LP in 2018 and the global pandemic. Therefore, with the help of my marketing team at Neo2Soul (I’m a Music Review Writer for them as well) in the United Kingdom, I have been on international indie radio and hospital radio stations in the United Kingdom and Brazil that play and discuss my music, my therapeutic counseling approaches as a Counselor and Therapeutic Life Coach, and mental wellness as a Counselor and a Professor. This led me to an invitation recently by Forbes to be part of the Forbes Womens Forum that I’m a member now.. Also in 2018, I launch the ‘Tiffani Michelle D.IAMOND Grant & Scholarship Program’ and blessed 6 visionary females in Central Texas to support their purpose. I call it ‘Planting Seeds.’ Never in a million years, I would have imagine or dreamed that I would create a life and style that fuses music, psychology, mental health, wellness, and entertainment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my career path it has not been a smooth road at all. The obstacles along the way really cultivated my belief in God, strength, perseverance, and faith. First, when I started in the music industry I had to LEARN the industry and the many areas involved. As a result, I became business savvy. Many people think being an artist-songwriter-producer is a hobby, but I was able to change the narrative as a business woman and entrepreneur in the “business of music.”
During my career, I had two major health challenges: Breast Cancer Stage 2B (2006) and most recently a three month hospitalization due to being in a Diabetic Coma and was coded dead three times during January-April (2014). I had to learn to move, walk, control my breathing which affected my singing. With sadness and frustration, I was determined to beat these conditions and my son was my inspiration. My medical team at Scott & White Hospital in Temple actually utilized some positive psychology and therapeutic music techniques on me to support my healing. I prayed to God to allow me to live to see my son graduate (at the time my son was going to the 9th grade). I survived by the grace of God and I shared my story to encourage in my platforms.
Fast forward today, my son will be 22 years old this year and I’ll be 50 years old in October. God is good! From this experience I was able to utilize Music Therapy on myself and my first single, ‘A Woman Divine’ (released as a single in October 2014) was my first song I recorded and released after my health challenge two months earlier than my medical team anticipated. It was #1 on independent charts on CD Baby in 2014 and 2017 and is played in the United Kingdom on radio stations and supported as music in health projects. This single was added on my 5th LP, ‘DIAMOND’ (Released October 2017). This is when I realize my music has ALWAYS been more than entertainment, but Music Therapy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a visionary creative that is a fusion of music, counseling, psychology, and mental health: An International Independent Neo-Soul Artist-Songwriter-Producer, the Music Review Writer for Neo2Soul in the United Kingdom, an Adjunct Psychology & Mental Health Services Professor at Central Texas College in Killeen, TX, a Professional School Counselor, and the owner of ‘D.I.A.M.O.N.D. Therapeutic Wellness’ a Holistic, Multicultural Feminist Therapeutic Life Coaching-Counseling-Consulting practice of all ages that specializes in BIPOC addressing Identity, Colorism, and Holistic Mental and Physical Self Care. My primary modality in my practice is Music Therapy|Therapeutic Music and Therapeutic Fashion/Editorial Modeling.
I am most proud of the creative and career evolution in this season as I approach 50 years old in October. With purpose there must be vision, implementation, constant growing, and TIME. With this career evolution in my music which consists of eight albums and four mixtapes is not only for entertainment, but now has turned into a music therapy. Next I developed innovative creative strategies to support healing and growth for others as a Counselor and Coach in the educational and private sector. As a result especially during the global pandemic, I have served including international in the United Kingdom as guest speaker on many panels, Mental Health presentations, contributing in writing assignments for professionals, and radio interviews during the pandemic. Last, but not least when we were shut down at the college and teaching online during the global pandemic, I wanted my college students to get the same experience in my face to face/blended format as they would in the online formst. Therefore, I created the ‘GAME CHANGER Series’ and with partnership with Neo2Soul in the United Kingdom I brought to my psychology classes international guest speakers that were in the entertainment field, authors, artists, songwriters, educators, actors, and health professionals to speak life to my next generation on their stories, journey, life purpose, and wisdom. It was a success, and my students were inspired.
What sets me apart from others is the life span of diversity in my background, education, experiences, gifts and talents, ability to connect, optimal customer service and the ability to be innovative to support humanity.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
When starting out and in your journey, I have some advice and words of wisdom: (1) God and Prayer. Always give thanks and be grateful to God. It is a blessing to be alive. Make everyday count.
(2) Believe in yourself
(3)Vision, Implementation, and Evaluation on your goals
(4) There will be failures. Learn from them, get back up, and start again.
(5) Keep growing, evolve, and stay contemporary. Do not be stagnant and stuck in time.
(6) Observe those who are not supportive of your dreams or goals “dream crushers” due to their own insecurities and create boundaries from them.
(7) Have a Positive Mindset and ENERGY and reject negative energy by implementing boundaries and limit their access in your spaces including virtual/social media.
(8) Connect with people that are supportive. Strive for a diverse, inclusive, and if possible an International support team or circle.
(9) Self Care: Mental and Physical Wellness. Seek resources or professional multicultural spaces to support your holistic healing and health.
(10) Self love is nourishment to your mind, body, and soul. Your body is a temple, honor it.
Contact Info:
- Email: tiffanimichellemapp@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.tiffanimichelle.style/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanimichellelife/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ExperienceTiffaniMichelleMusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffanimichell9
- Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCNKgnPOCDODbG4pjPeW0VCw?feature=share
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tiffani-michelle
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/tiffanimichellemapp
Image Credits
Shon Turner
