Episode 380 - Tedashii: Billboard Christian Rapper Turned Entrepreneur

Host Justin Forman sits down with Billboard-charting Christian hip hop artist and entrepreneur Tedashii for a raw, unforgettable conversation about identity, loss, and what it really means to build something that lasts. From writing his first song in elementary school to reaching #1 on the Billboard charts, Tedashii shares how grief transformed his entrepreneurial ambition—and how losing his one-year-old son Chase became the defining moment that changed everything he was building toward. Tedashii opens up about the difference between running *from* something, running *to* something, and the third road God placed before him: running *for* something. He shares his vision for a nonprofit called Chase Life, his passion for dismantling the shame narrative that holds entrepreneurs back, and why the church's next great revival may depend on artists and business leaders heralding the name of Christ with excellence. Tedashii (born Tadashi—a Japanese name meaning loyal, faithful, true, and correct) grew up biracial in Texas, discovered Christ at Baylor University, and went on to become one of Christian hip hop's most recognized voices through Reach Records alongside Lecrae. Today he's expanding into public speaking, acting, filmmaking, and nonprofit work, all anchored by the conviction that what he's called to do, nobody else can do. ### Key Topics: - From missionary-minded musician to intentional entrepreneur—and what made the shift click - Why authenticity in creativity transcends listenership and becomes a two-way highway - The moment Tedashii's son Chase passed away—and how grief redirected his entire entrepreneurial vision - Running *from* something vs. running *to* something vs. running *for* something - Identity, Imago Dei, and why the enemy uses shame to hinder the entrepreneur ### Notable Quotes: "I decided to learn how to meet the needs of people, and that made me an entrepreneur." — Tedashii "There's so much pressure on arriving to the thing you're running to, to help you battle the demons that you're running from. And now because I'm running for something, getting to the things I'm running to doesn't, it's no pressure on it anymore." — Tedashii "You're a lousy someone else, but the best you there is. There is not another you. You are a rarity." — Tedashii