Retro-Contempo artist, TUCKER, is an established veteran session singer, who is putting his own music out, now, and absolutely setting the bar extremely high for others in his genre. The out and proud gay singer-songwriter makes music that quickly become anthems that celebrate sexuality, confidence, self-esteem, and spirit.

Following his most recent release, “KNOCKOUT”, he returns with a track titled “NO COMPARISON” featuring beautiful melodies you’ll more than likely be singing in your sleep, paired with what is best described as a virtuosic vox, and of course, stays true to the retro contempo arrangements that his artistry embodies.

TUCKER, an amazing artist who has been on our radar since his KNOCKOUT release in 2021, has supported other artists for a decade – & is now taking a big leap into the music industry, grabbing the attention of many industry tastemakers even as a young kid in the industry. The next single, NO COMPARISON celebrates the unique artistry that he embodies.

Celebrating the fun, funky, and fresh artist that TUCKER is, he is taking his solo music project to the next level, and even higher heights – & honestly, we’re quickly becoming obsessed with him! & you are sure to be obsessed with him as well within the first listen to any of his music, ESPECIALLY KNOCKOUT and NO COMPARISON.

PopWrapped (PW): We’re going to dive into your new single NO COMPARISON shortly. However, there’s a part of you and your story that’s something I want to focus on a little bit. You’re a Type 1 Diabetic and you’re crushing it in music and honestly, life as a whole. When did you find out that you were T1D and how did it affect how you approached chasing your dream as a musician?

TUCKER (T): During my last week of high school in June 2011, I stumbled into my pediatrician’s office with insatiable thirst and hunger symptoms, muscle spasms, weight loss, and way-too-frequent bathroom breaks. I was immediately sent to the hospital where I was told I had Type 1 Diabetes. Like most people, prior to my diagnosis my awareness of diabetes was base-level cursory at best: I had seen characters on TV who “needed sugar” and that was about it. So once the doctors and nurses stabilized my immediate situation, they insisted on my being admitted to the hospital not only to be monitored 24 hours a day, but also so I could undergo a comprehensive crash education course in diabetes. It was a rude awakening with a steep learning curve.

Bottom line: it’s all about balancing blood sugar through food, insulin, and physical activity to attain a target goal that most people never even have to think about. The way I explain it to non-diabetics in more detail is that they can typically eat and do whatever they want and their bodies will maintain a healthy blood sugar level because their pancreas is doing its job. Type 1 Diabetics are people with non-working pancreases, so the process of achieving a healthy blood sugar level requires moment to moment care and maintenance. I was discharged from the hospital the night before my graduation, which was a total miracle! That summer I continued to learn how to manage my life with diabetes and pushed myself not to pause my life. I started at The New School two months later, which was certainly challenging: orienting myself to an exciting new college life in New York City while pursuing live and studio music gigs AND figuring out how to monitor my blood sugar so that I could bring the best of myself to the table on a daily basis was a tough balancing act. But my diagnosis gave me an urgency about life: the “if not now, when?” imperative. Obviously some days are harder than others — sometimes my blood sugar is in the clouds and sometimes it’s dangerously low — but I’ve realized that if I’m going to chase my dreams I have no choice but to ride the T1D peaks and valleys, eager to slay each day as it comes.

PW: Type 1 Diabetes impacts so many people, forcing many to put a pause on their dreams. Not only that: every day, every hour, diabetes leaves you guessing what’s next. What does your management plan for T1D look like and how does it affect your artistry process when it comes to interviews, recording music, songwriting, etc.?

T: I always carry around a little purse with me — his name is Murse — that has my blood sugar meter, lancets, test strips, two insulin pens (one for fast acting needs and one that I take on a 24-hour basis), plus an emergency snack or sugary drink in case I’m running a low blood sugar. The key for me is listening to my body and taking precautions to make sure my days run smoothly. I know that if I’m ever really sweaty or acting like a bit of a #betch, I’ve probably got a high blood sugar.

If I’m seeing blurry colors and feeling kinda groggy, I’m probably running a low. I always make sure to check where my blood sugar is at before a writing or recording session, interview, or live performance: for those who don’t know, that process consists of pricking my finger (not fingering my prick, ha!) and squeezing a little blood onto a test strip that’s attached to a blood sugar meter that then tells me exactly where I’m at. When I’ve got my blood sugar in check, it’s so much easier to focus on being creative. At times it can be difficult if I’m recording or performing and producing a lot of adrenaline because that also affects my levels. Being a T1D is a true journey in every sense of the word, but it’s a manageable one!

PW: When you were diagnosed and started thinking about the future and what you wanted to do as an artist, did you ever think that diabetes would become something that may keep you from achieving the goals you had set for yourself? What went through your mind when you got the news? How did you cope knowing your life was changing so quickly?

T: When I was diagnosed I didn’t have any fears about the future. Of course seeing diabetes on the list of high risk groups during the pandemic has been scary, but while it inhibits me in one way, it’s also made me flow into another and take more ownership over my trajectory. We’ve all got one life to live, and when you are forced to remember on a daily basis that your body is literally fighting for you all the time, it gives you this kind of understanding that life is about living. Of course I do my best to make smart and safe decisions, but in terms of what went through my mind and how I coped at first: it was definitely overwhelming to have to start thinking about mathematic calculations (carbs to insulin ratios, stabilizing blood sugars, etc.), especially when I thought I was done with math forever after getting straight C’s in geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus during high school. I was lucky to have a wonderful support system who took on the challenge with me. My parents were amazing, and my best friend from high school Victoria came to the hospital every day to learn about everything with me. I’m a lucky guy!

PW: Let’s dive into the music! NO COMPARISON follows your most recent release KNOCKOUT, which has received a lot of love online. Your music is fun, funky, and gives us a lot of “Bad Bitch” power while giving us all permission to cut loose and be ourselves. What does this track mean to you?

T: When I wrote NO COMPARISON, my goal was to put myself in check. I had fallen into the pit of comparing myself to peers who I perceived as being “farther along” than me in terms of streaming numbers, talent, or career goals. I had to remind myself that I have to be where I am moment to moment because it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. At the end of the day, comparing my circumstances to other people’s and choosing to feel bad is pointless: I know it may sound pretentious, but I find that indulging in that kind of self-scorning negativity actually keeps me from my higher purpose and doing the very thing that I feel I’ve been put on this earth to do.

The greater truth is that I’m happy embracing my talent, where I am right now, and what I’m capable of on my journey to where I’m going. NO COMPARISON is a means to remind myself and others that we are all our own unique beings, and that when we choose to focus on expressing what’s special about ourselves — on our own actions and our own potentials — we have the power to help others do the same. Welcoming that kind of opportunity not only makes it possible for me to move toward the results that I’m going for in the pop artist world, but also makes me feel emotionally fulfilled in the process. The feedback I’ve gotten from listeners so far is that they’re singing along while pursuing their own dreams. I couldn’t ask for more!

PW: NO COMPARISON is a celebration of who you are as an artist: an unstoppable force who simply can’t be compared to anybody else. How do you stay unique? Give us a look into TUCKER’s brain – WHO exactly is TUCKER to you?

T: Well, thank you! I think we all have the opportunity to declare that we’re unstoppable forces, because the reality is that while there are so many things that unite us all as human beings, we’re all simultaneously unique individuals. Just like anybody else there are days when I don’t want to get out of bed; moments when my mental health gets the better of me and I just can’t put on the game face. But the thing that I love about music and all caps TUCKER (who is definitely an idealized version of initial caps Tucker) is that they both provide me the chance to be the person that I aspire to be: the version of myself who’s daring enough to put his name in all caps and put songs into the world about owning his power. It’s not always easy to maintain that positive outlook, but I’m doing my best to spread the good vibes and to remind people that they too are a KNOCKOUT for whom there’s NO COMPARISON!

PW: You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment like Carole King, you’ve sung on multiple seasons of Saturday Night Live, and even have impersonated Top 40 artists for iHeart. What’s next for you? How do you plan to top what you have already done thus far?

T: Even though I recognize the milestones you’re mentioning, I feel like I’m just getting started! Right now, my plan is to release a song every month for the rest of the year. I may be biased, but the tunes all make me want to dance like everybody’s watching. As time goes on, I may put out some tearjerker ballads too, but for now my eye is on giving everybody their favorite new songs of the summer!

PW: Being authentic is not always easy, especially as an out and proud LGBTQ+ artist. Do you have any advice for other musicians or people with an audience that might be scared to come out as a result of self-doubt, fear of repercussion, etc.?

T: I think everyone’s coming out journey is different and unique, and that nobody should ever pressure anyone else. It’s every individual’s journey to emerge in their own way and in their own time. We all find our community. For me, my LGBTQ+ peeps are open-minded, supportive, and loving — for the most part!  The only advice I have for anyone whether it’s about their coming out journey or just trying to get through the day being a decent human being is this: if you’re even raising the question about whether you are manifesting your authentic self, you’re probably already approaching being your best self.

“NO COMPARISON“, the new single from TUCKER is out now on all of your favorite music streaming platforms! If you are as ready as we are to see what is next, be sure to follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.