Meet Uncle T | Uncle T is a singer, rapper, and entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Uncle T and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Uncle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Years ago, I took a Hip Hop Production course at a music school called Slam Academy in Minneapolis. My teacher, Greg Grease, is a full time musician who also does leather work and clothing design. His lifestyle inspired me to get creative in developing an additional source of income to support my music. I asked myself the question, “What is something other than music that I enjoy and could monetize?” Funnily enough, the first thing that came to mind was seasoning salt. Since I was a kid, I’ve been a huge flavor enthusiast. From hot sauces to seasoning salts and everywhere in-between. So, shortly after I completed the course, I went to a spice store and bought as many spices as I could fit in my basket. I went home and started developing recipes. It took about nine months for me to complete my first seasoning salt, which is now lovingly referred to as “The OG” or just the original. Soon after that, a spicier version called “Flamethrower” was born and the rest was history. I’ve now had my small business since 2019. I’ve sold thousands of bottles of my product all over the country. At times, it’s been more than I could keep up with. I have a full time career working in homeless services in addition to my music career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s really hard to summarize what I’m doing with my life and how it relates to who I am. Culturally speaking, our identity is so tied into what we do for work etc. My career for over the last decade has been working with people experiencing homelessness. I currently am a Program Coordinator for three housing programs in downtown Philadelphia. We serve chronically homeless men and women. As you may guess, my job can be very time consuming and mentally consuming as well. Outside of my day job, I am a musician and a small business owner. I’ve been making music for about 6 years now. I began as a rapper and slowly found my way to singing and now playing guitar. In any given performance, you will probably hear me doing all three. As for my business, “Side Hustle Salt” – I make two different kind of seasoning salt blends that i sell online nationwide and then in local markets as well. Side Hustle Salt was created as a way to support my music. I’d love to be able to own a business full time someday but my current setup is where I’m supposed to be right now. I’m not satisfied just going to work and going home to watch television. I always say, I work my hardest when I get off of work. I see my personal time as the canvas to creating the life I really want. But I will say, my friends and family have often said I don’t know how to relax. As it relates to all these endeavors, I don’t have a specific goal in mind necessarily. I just want to keep growing and see where it takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m not originally from Philadelphia. I’ve been here over two years now though! I’m originally from Minneapolis, MN. All that to say, I love having visitors here in Philly. One of the best things about living here is how many things you can do close by! In 1.5 hours you can be on the beach in Jersey or staring at the Empire State Building. Of course, Philly has some amazing things as well. The music scene here is rich with talent and is actually a lot smaller than I would have expected. My favorite part of Philly is definitely Chinatown. If you’re visiting me, we are going to get bubble tea and dim sum. Then we will cross Market St and go into the the Gayborhood for some fancy cocktails. I’d take you out for some late night music, maybe a dope underground hip hop show or let’s just get tickets to whatever band is playing at Johnny Brenda’s that weekend. Then in the morning, we should take a trip to jersey and find a little diner to eat at on the way to the ocean. When we return, I’ll take you to some local watering holes in Fishtown. The possibilities are pretty endless in Philly, this city really has it all.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a lot of my confidence to the local hip hop community of Minneapolis. I got my start there years ago at open mics. I was so warmly welcomed into the scene there and was given so many opportunities to perform and grow really early into my career. It ultimately led to me starting a business and the growth I experienced there eventually led to me singing and even playing guitar. I really was able to build the foundation of who I am as a result of the support I received in Minneapolis.

Website: www.hellounclet.com

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