Tyrone Foster is a 33 year old rapper, entertainer and producer from Christchurch and of Kāi Tahu, Te Āti Awa, Waitaha, Kati Mutuka, Kati Mutuka ki W’arekauri, Kati Toa Rakatirataka toku descent.
Tyrone recently graduated from Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd with a Bachelor of Music Arts. He has had a passion for the industry for years and performed through school at events like weddings, school discos and birthdays.
This year, Tyrone applied to Ara Foundation for a grant to help pay for the mixing, mastering and production of music videos and to help subsidise the cost of a radio programme on Plains FM for his Capstone project.
The funding grant paid for most of the radio show and recording, which he did at Nightshift Studios and Orange Studios.
“Without it my Capstone project would not have become a reality, so I am most appreciative of receiving the support,” says Tyrone.
Tyrone’s had a few key learnings from this project, one being that it takes a team of people to bring a brand identity to life.
“While there was a lot to put together with outputs, such as creating five music videos in six months, with some kiwi ingenuity and help from giants such as the Ara Institute of Technology, dreams really can become a reality!”
Tyrone has now completed his degree and plans on returning to full-time work while continuing to create music under his banner – Number 8 Records.
Tyrone’s advice to others is to make use of the Ara Foundation.
“It can truly be life-changing, and I definitely recommend you put your all forward and just go for it! While it can seem like another task in a busy day, it can also be life changing. Put your all into your craft and if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
“Thank you so much to the team that helped me bring my dreams to reality. I really couldn’t have done it without you!”