Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivory “T.F.O.” Kelley.
Ivory, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey began as a child, being intrigued with music & loving sounds of all kinds. I grew up around a wide array of musical styles & genres from pop, r&b, rock, gospel, & hip hop. I gravitated towards playing drums at an early age but faced obstacles due to my gender. Growing up, especially in church, I was told that playing drums was for men. So, I’d sneak & play until I was told to stop. Longing to express the music & creativity that I was feeling, I eventually was granted a great opportunity at 13 to play drums on youth night at a new church, different from the church that I grew up in. That, along with other pivotal moments sparked my love for music creation. During college is where I learned about music production & making beats. From there, I cultivated my craft & through every hurdle, I have & continue to persevere & successfully advance in my career as a music producer & advocate for women in music.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road most certainly has not been smooth but I’m learning that the terrain builds endurance & character. As a female music producer, I have encountered a lot of praise & respect yet also resistance, degradation, & lack of acknowledgment. I’ve heard people say the most disrespectful things about my music & my career, basing the standards according to men. I’ve had people undermine, steal, revoke production credits & pay; so many things that can be discouraging. I, however, have never been one to let any of those things stop me & have been diligent in making my presence known within the music production community, not only for myself but for other female creatives as well.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I realized that so many other female creatives face the same challenges as myself & from that, the birthing of “She Made The Beat” came to life. Though it is a brand & business, it is a powerful movement for all-female music producers, writers, musicians, & creatives as a whole for our voices to be heard & our presence recognized within the music industry. What truly is rewarding is seeing the empowerment of my sisters in the music industry & notably, in the Dallas music scene. “She Made The Beat” is a platform that has helped to inform & shine a light for females within the music industry. I’ve been blessed to be featured at several events, interviews, showcases, & have had other female entrepreneurs to come give support & advice for others to build upon. There are several organizations & women’s empowerment movements within the music industry as a whole. I gladly wear my crown in being a part of that community, especially for Dallas, Tx.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Wow! There are so many moments that I’m absolutely proud of. One, in particular, is being featured on the hit series “House Of Beats” hosted by award-winning music producer, J. Rhodes, & aired by Machine Masters. Being a part of something so groundbreaking is such a blessing. What truly makes this experience a proud moment is the fact of being one of the only two female music producers to be featured on the series. I received so many fan reactions from other female music producers who are inspired by my story. It is humbling & in turn, inspires me. It’s also opening amazing doors for me, including being the very 1st female music producer for Valley Of The Kings Music Studio, here in Dallas, TX. The launching of “She Made The Beat” is absolutely something that I am very proud of. It’s allowing me to impact lives in such a positive way. Again, there are so many things to name. Overall I’m extremely blessed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shemadethebeat.com/
- Email: iamivory1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tfoproductions
- Facebook: facebook.com/T.F.O.Productions
- Other: @shemadethebeat
Image Credit:
JMusic Photography, A. Hayes, Miss Rhymes, Ivory Kelley
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