Who is Tedashii? Tedashii, whose real name is Tedashii Lavoy Anderson, is an American Christian rapper born in 1977 in Texas. A founding member of the 116 collective at Reach Records, he has released five studio albums since 2006, including Never Fold in 2019, and touched his audience by turning the loss of his son Chase into music and outreach.
Originally from Texas, Tedashii emerged on the Christian rap scene in 2004 and became one of the founding members of the 116 collective, alongside Lecrae and Trip Lee, at the label Reach Records. Recognizable for his deep voice and his ability to switch between flows, he released his first album, Kingdom People, in 2006, followed by Identity Crisis in 2009 and Blacklight in 2011, which established his high-energy style within American Christian hip-hop.
In 2013, the death of his one-year-old son, Chase, turned his life upside down and shaped the content of his fourth album, Below Paradise, released in 2014. Tedashii turned that trial into a mission: he founded the Chase Foundation to support grieving families and continued his career with Never Fold in 2019, then the Dead or Alive EP series in 2023 and 2024. Now living in Atlanta with his wife Danielle and their four sons, he leads Unashamed Ministries and hosts the podcast The Dash.
- Origin
- Lufkin, Texas, USA
- Style
- Christian rap
- Active since
- 2004
- Good to know
- Founder of the Chase Foundation in memory of his son; the song Gotta Live reached number one on the Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR chart
How did Tedashii get started?
Born Tedashii Lavoy Anderson in 1977 in Lufkin, Texas, he started his career in 2004 under the stage name T-Dot before establishing himself as one of the founding members of the 116 collective, alongside Lecrae and Trip Lee at Reach Records. His first album, Kingdom People, came out in 2006.
His reputation was also built on stage: he took part in major tours on the Christian scene, including the Unashamed Tours in 2008, 2010, and 2012 and the Don't Waste Your Life Tour in 2009, alongside other artists from the Reach Records label.
What makes Tedashii unique?
His deep voice and mastery of varied flows set him apart immediately in American Christian rap, but it is above all his ability to turn hardship into ministry that defines his journey. After the death of his one-year-old son Chase in 2013, Tedashii made it the subject of his album Below Paradise, then founded the Chase Foundation to support other grieving families. His more recent music, especially the Dead or Alive EP series, carries that same honesty about pain, faith, and perseverance, a tone he also brings to his podcast The Dash and through Unashamed Ministries.
Where should you start with Tedashii?
Never Fold (2019) gives a good sense of his current stage energy, while Below Paradise (2014) dives into his most personal side. The song Love Letter, available on his official YouTube channel, is an accessible entry point to discover his recognizable vocal style.
songs
Love Letter
official music video showing Tedashii's most personal side, available on his verified channel.
Give It All
official song with the characteristic energy of his deep, assertive vocal style.
Heavy Heart
a more introspective song, in the vein of the works that follow the trials the artist has faced.
Discography
- 2019Never Fold
- 2014Below Paradise· album shaped by the loss of his son Chase
- 2011Blacklight
- 2009Identity Crisis
- 2006Kingdom People
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Tedashii?
Tedashii, whose real name is Tedashii Lavoy Anderson, is an American Christian rapper born in 1977 in Texas. A founding member of the 116 collective at Reach Records, he has released five studio albums since 2006.
Is Tedashii a Christian artist?
Yes. Tedashii is one of the founding artists of contemporary Christian rap at Reach Records, and his faith is at the heart of all his music, including the lyrics he wrote after losing his son.
What is Tedashii's best-known song?
His song Gotta Live reached number one on the Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR chart, while Love Letter and Give It All are among his most-watched official music videos.
Who is Chase, Tedashii's son?
Chase is Tedashii's son, who died at the age of one in 2013. That trial inspired the album Below Paradise and led Tedashii to found the Chase Foundation to support grieving families.
Is Tedashii part of a group?
He is one of the founding members of the 116 collective, formed around the label Reach Records, alongside Lecrae, Trip Lee, and other American Christian rap artists.
Where can you listen to Tedashii?
His music is available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer, as well as on his official YouTube channel and the Reach Records artist page.