Born and raised in Chicago, Tankdilla was heavily influenced by Christian gospel, alternative rock, hip hop, House, jazz, motown, and trap music. His musical inspirations include Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Outkast, Pharrell, Timbaland, H.E.R. , Jimmy Hendrix, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Kirk Franklin, Walter Hawkins, Thomas Whitfield, Milton Brunson, Jonathan McReynolds, Metro Boomin, DJ Khalid, DJ Premiere, Richard Smallwood, Mattie Robertson, Donald Alford, Donald Alford Jr, Gloria Alford, Rebecca Richmond, just to name a few.