Meet Tinna James

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tinna James a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tinna , thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.

My Grandmother the late Avis A. Brock instilled in us that WE are blessed to be a blessing. For years she cooked, cleaned, babysat, helped, gave rides to people. Whatever she could do to help someone else she did. So without thought as God Blesses me I do my best to bless others. I believe in giving when God has given to me. That has allowed God to give me more and allows me to continue to give.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a mother to an amazing TRIBE of FIVE beautiful world changers. I am a singer currently in the Pittsburgh area. I have sung all my life as cliché as that may sound. But there are videos of me belting out my best rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and many other songs at age two. I got my background singing in church and various choirs. My love for music sent me to Rogers CAPA Middle School and then to CAPA High School for vocal music. I was so happy when the opportunity presented itself to be able to be a part of a group. In 2007-2012 I was in the Gospel Rap Group B.O.N.D.E.D. which allowed me to sharpen my writing skills and also get used to the studio. In 2012 I began my solo career and released my first solo album “Tinna James”.
After a mini hiatus, I came back to my love of music releasing my EP “Time and Eternity” ” singles Dear Jawn and Picture Perfect (co-written with Philip Price), as well as a join EP Revival with artist Chuck G. I have new music coming out fall of 2024 and a new project Spring of 2025.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Stay Humble, stay grateful, and stay ready. I have learned in life and teach my children NO ONE OWES you a thing! The same goes for this music journey. I know I am not everyone’s cup of tea. I sing various genres and have been blessed to perform in many wonderful spaces and there will still be someone who doesn’t like Tinna James music. That’s okay! Staying humble helps me realize as quickly as the blessings come they can be gone in an instant. Gratitude is the ONLY way! Being thankful allows God to know you appreciate every door and opportunity. That leads to the opening of NEW doors and opportunities. Stay ready so that when opportunities come you are able to readily walk into your blessings.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

I think the biggest challenge is getting through the loss of my father. My father was my first fan and biggest supporter. I can remember singing at the age of two years old and him playing for me throughout my years of singing in the church. My father was a musician and singer himself. He played the bass, drums, keyboard, and organ. He is also featured on my song ”Time'” from my EP ‘Time and Eternity’. I miss his wisdom, laughter, and encouraging words. I am currently allowing myself to feel every emotion tied to his death while being thankful for the spirit of creativity to honor his memory. I know he was proud of me from him always telling me and the last few converastions though he is missed I am doing my best to honor his memory by keeping my word to GO BIG! I am not stopping!

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Image Credits

LSB PHOTOGRAPHY
18ricco , Ricco Jl Martello

PICTURE WITH: My Father the Rev. Gary L. Brock Sr

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