Introducing Reggae Sensation Tommie tei

June 14, 2022 105 5

Introducing Reggae Sensation Tommie tei

Born Wade Thompson, and raised in a district known as Banbury, located
approximately 19 miles NW of Kingston and nestled within the small town
of Linstead, in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica;
entertainer Tommie tei recognised his talent during his formative years and
set out on a journey to develop and integrate his musical gift with the world.
Growing up in the district of Banbury is not much different from the
traditions and culture across other parishes on the island of Jamaica. Kids
during those years, must attend church (no matter what denomination), and
provisions were made by the elders of the churches organisation, to ensure
children look forward to attending regularly. Arguably, many professionals,
especially those in the music and athletic fields, realized their special skills
and character at church from participation in various activities that involves
acting in skits and plays, singing in choirs or at harvest time and
participating in sporting events.

Such was the case with Tommie tei, at 8
years old when he was exposed to singing and performing before a live
audience at church, sub-consciously acquiring skills which would
subsequently define his future.

The town of Linstead is close to the Windalco Ewarton works, a large
aluminium plant employing many of the local population. Often employing a
job share scheme as work in the area is scarce. It holds a Grand Market
celebration each Christmas Eve when people come out and fill the streets,
small shops sell toys and other Christmas gifts and event and parties are
held in town's square. It was the influence of these of annual cultural
activities, atmosphere and surrounding that Tommie tei became popularly
known as a singer/entertainer.

In between jobs, some of which included overseas
employment, Tommie tei maintains his faith and discipline toward his
personal goal of becoming a widely known artiste/entertainer. Often faced
with financial boundaries, he managed honing skills in writing and singing.
He practice regularly in his spare time, and sought guidance of professional
musicians to perfect his craft. Tommie tei over the years mould himself into
a Reggae artiste who has carved a niche fusing elements of the pop genre
with reggae complimented with lyrics that are timeless and widely felt
across the industry as more appealing by a broad spectrum of listeners. https://webexprt.com/

The pop/reggae recording artiste recorded several songs over the years for
various producers however, it was not until year 1994
that Tommie tei would record his first official single, Police and
Soldier that garnered much support at community levels and landed him
performances at concerts across communities throughout and beyond the
parish of St. Catherine. Driven to improve his craft with every track, he
recorded another single entitled, Good Girl which subsequently made Radio
No: Volume 8, a compilation album released by independent music label
3000 Records.

As the years progressed, Tommie tei channels his focus toward the release
of an album. He works hard at writing tracks for the project as well as
selecting musicians and riddims. May 2012, Tommie tei released a triple
track EP entitled, Music for the Soul produced by TEE and JAA Records.
February 2015, Tommie tei release two singles of his upcoming album
entitled, the all encouraging I Never Learn and Good Use. The release of a
debut album is still forthcoming as well as collaborations with more popular
reggae and dancehall artistes.