Multi-Disciplinary Recording Artist | Creative Director | Choreographer | Producer | Sound Engineer | Innovator

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T'rae Brooks was born into a tapestry of cultural influences, with roots in the bayous of Louisiana through his mother and the urban streets of Indiana through his father. This diverse heritage is reflected in the vibrant and eclectic sound that defines his artistry.

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Raised in the small town of Oakdale and later in Lafayette, Louisiana, T'rae's connection to music began before birth. His parents, who met as members of the Grambling State University Marching Band—his father a snare drummer and his mother a clarinetist—ensured that music was an integral part of his early life. From the moment he could hold them, drumsticks and drum keys were his first toys, imprinting on his identity and later becoming a signature element in his logo.

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T'rae's exceptional talent in percussion earned him numerous national and state awards during high school. After a year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he marched with the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band and performed in the prestigious "An Evening of Dance," T'rae realized that traditional education wasn't the best fit for his unique learning style. He left traditional academia behind to let life become his classroom.

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His professional journey began with playing drums and dancing for local musicians, churches, and festivals. He served as a drum tech for Festival International, the nation's largest free music and arts festival, from 2013 to 2016, while dancing at various events across Louisiana.

 

A pivotal moment in T'rae's career came when he booked his first national commercial with Nike, which catapulted him into the dance world. He went on to assist with "JUMP Dance Convention" in New Orleans, leading to opportunities to train in Los Angeles at renowned studios like Playground LA, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, and Millennium Dance Complex.

 

T'rae's passion for music and performance also led him to work closely with Grammy-winning musicians, producers, and engineers Stacey Lamont Sydnor and Misha Kachkachishvili. Their mentorship provided invaluable experience, shaping T'rae's skills in performance, audio engineering, and production.

 

Today, T'rae Brooks is based in New Orleans, where he continues to build his career as a multi-disciplinary recording artist, creative director, choreographer, producer, and sound engineer at Esplanade Studios.

 

T'rae has collaborated with industry giants and acclaimed artists, including Janet Jackson, Disney, Jon Batiste, Native Instruments, Wu-Tang Clan, Tencent Games, The Roots, AMC, Irma Thomas, Hulu, and Amazon Prime’s "Daisy Jones & The Six," where he served as a keyboard instructor and filled in as music director during filming in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

 

At the core of T'rae's artistry is a profound mission: to change the way the world works by empowering creatives with the tools, resources, and inspiration they need to reshape not only the industry but the world, and foster a more collaborative and innovative creative community.

 

When asked why he excels in so many disciplines, T'rae explains, "I want you to explain to someone who has no legs why you won't walk, or someone who has no eyes why you won't see, or someone who has no ears why you won't listen. I believe if you can, not only should you, but it's almost like a slap in the face of those who truly can't. Who am I to limit myself when I have been given so much?"