Video: Tate Tucker - 'Wannabe'

Tate Tucker has his eyes on the prize. The Georgetown University alum, who has opened for the likes of Big Sean and Post Malone, grew up in a family with ties to the entertainment industry. But it wasn’t until he freestyled for Lupe Fiasco in a lecture hall that he knew he was destined for a career in music.

Now, the rising alt-hip-hop star is carving his own path with his latest single “Wannabe.” The humorous visual kicks off in the gym, where Tate admires a couple of fit ladies while working on his own physique and eating a cookie. Later, he takes on multiple personalities with alter egos while singing about how “everything looks better with a filter on.”

“Adidas superstar, she a wannabe,” he sings over PD’s bouncy 808-driven production. “But she could be a star if she wanna be / We’re all wannabes / Be who you wanna be.”

Speaking of the anthemic track, Tate says it was years in the making before inspiration struck. “One day, I came back from a weekend out in Hollywood, and I knew what the song had to be,” he said. “An 808-laden, pop-leaning rap track that could be an anthem for the aspiring actor/singer/model that L.A. chews up and spits out on the daily.”

In the clip, Tucker rocks a red kangol given to him by legendary songwriter Bill Danoff and a Calgary Flames jersey, which was given to his father when he was playing Joe Jackson in a Michael Jackson movie. “I wear it now to keep that legacy alive and to show love back to Canada,” he said.

According to Tucker, the visual is meant to encourage and not degrade listeners, even “wannabes.” “I didn’t want the video to just rip people for wanting to be something,” he said. “I think it’s something everybody goes through. It’s evolution.”

“Wannabe” is one of four indie releases from Tucker, following “Capital” and “Just Wanna,” which has over 3 million Spotify streams and was featured on FOX’s “Empire.”