Savvy Turtle
Savvy Turtle (born James D. Wilson; May 4, 1981) [1], [2] began his life in Albany, Georgia[3]. At the young age of 2, he moved to Marrero, Louisiana [4], [5] where he spent his formative years. In 2011, Savvy Turtle relocated to Mississippi, where he has continued to reside and hone his craft as a genre-bending recording artist. Mississippi's rich musical heritage has deeply influenced his artistic development, shaping his sound and contributing to his identity as a Mississippi artist. He later attended the University of Mississippi, further enriching his educational background. Savvy Turtle is a genre-bending recording artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and wounded veteran. His collaborative hits include Domesticated Man, which was produced in 2021 featuring Ryan Whyte Maloney.[6][7]
Contents
Early Life and Education
Savvy Turtle (born James D. Wilson on May 4, 1981) [8], [9] began his life in Albany, Georgia. His early years were spent in Marrero, Louisiana [10], [11] where he discovered a passion for music and honed his creative spirit.
Academic Pursuits:
Savvy Turtle's intellectual curiosity led him to pursue higher education. He graduated from Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program. While serving in the U.S. Army, he embarked on studies at prestigious institutions like Harvard University and Texas A&M University. These educational pursuits, undertaken during his military service, showcased his dedication to learning even amidst challenging circumstances.
After relocating to Mississippi in 2011, Savvy Turtle further enriched his educational background by attending The University of Mississippi.
Educational Background:
- Graduated from L.W. Higgins High School (Marrero, Louisiana)
- Graduated from Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program (Pineville, Louisiana)
- Graduated from Louisiana National Guard Job Challenge Program (Carville, Louisiana)
- Attended Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
- Attended Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas)
- Attended The University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi)
Career
Personal life
Equipment
Guitars
Amplifiers
Bass Guitars
Drums
Violin
Influences
Style
Music
Genre(s): Genre-bending recording artist, fusing hip-hop, soul, and R&B. Savvy Turtle also incorporates Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Country, and Techno into his artistic expression.
Savvy Turtle
Savvy Turtle Inc.: In 1999, Savvy Turtle (born James D. Wilson) founded Savvy Turtle Inc., initially as a clothing line and brand.
Savvy Turtle Clothing Line:
Established under Savvy Turtle Inc. on January 13, 1999.
Savvy Turtle Records
Later, in 2005, while recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury sustained on September 6, 2004, in an explosion in Sadr City, Iraq [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], Savvy Turtle expanded Savvy Turtle Inc. by founding Savvy Turtle Records as a division specializing in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Country, Hip-Hop, and Techno.
Military Service
Savvy Turtle served in the U.S. Army from June 23rd, 2001, and retired as an E-5 Army Sergeant after being honorably discharged following injuries sustained in the line of duty on September 6th, 2004, in an explosion in Sadr City, Iraq.
Overcoming Challenges:
In addition to the physical injuries sustained during military service, Savvy Turtle also lost his hearing as a result of the explosion. Despite this challenge, Savvy Turtle has persevered and continues to create music, drawing inspiration from his unique experiences. Deafness hasn't stopped Savvy Turtle from creating music. Instead, he feels the music through deep vibrations, allowing him to connect with the rhythm and emotion on a profound level. This unique experience translates into his creative process, as Savvy Turtle crafts music that resonates on a deeper, more physical level, going beyond just the sounds themselves.
Discography
Albums
- Tap the Shell (2021) (Rock) [17]
Singles
- Domesticated Man (featuring Ryan Whyte Maloney) (2021) (Country) [18]
- Rock The Shell (2021) (Hard Rock) [19]
- Rock On (2021) (Hard Rock) [20]
- Afterlife (2022) (Heavy Metal) [21]
Other Credits
- Featured Artist: Savvy Turtle on Bigginz Group Therapy Album (2022)' (Genre: Hip Hop) [22]
- Featured Artist: Savvy Turtle on Bigginz Group Therapy Radio Edit Album (2022)' (Genre: Hip Hop) [22]
