I went into this interview a little blind. I knew I wanted to discuss art, the art this artist creates, and the process behind it; I wanted to delve into what these pieces convey. However, I was reminded of something and saw and learned something greater. I was reminded of the pieces of art that we all are and the story we tell. We all have one—a place we come from, things we went through, and a purpose here. Some of ours are textbook better than others. Some live nightmares. We are all dealt hands, some better than others, most completely out of our control. It’s what we make of it and where we go from it that determines it all.
Artist Dante “Tay” Cousins is an impeccable example of that—the growth that comes from humility, the genuineness to do better and want better, and making the best of our circumstances. He hails from Jamaica. Growing up, he was an impeccable basketball player and a talented artist, a hobby he picked up in the seventh grade when he moved to a new area for him—Jersey City, New Jersey. He began getting inspiration from his mother’s artwork in their home, a skill he didn’t know would be the catalyst for his future successes. With his amazing athletic abilities and art skills, he had scholarship offers. He was being dealt good cards at the time—a way to success—and then, like any other story, something happened. Devastatingly, a thing completely out of his control. The cards were now switched; the hands dealt were different. He found himself in a position of being wrongfully convicted—not once, but twice. Things that only happen in movies, in our worst nightmares, were his reality for years. His life was stolen. He was forced into a life he didn’t deserve, a reality that was completely out of his control.
It’s absurd—the tsunami waves that life can launch into your world, changing everything in an instant, making us imprisoned and forced to be alone in our realities. And for him, that term was taken literally.
What do you do when you’re forced into that situation? When life rips away everything you’ve worked for, and you’re left with nothing but time and the weight of your own thoughts? For most, the answer might be to crumble, to give in to despair. But for Tay, it was different. Instead of letting those years define him as a victim, he used them as a canvas—a chance to rebuild.
Sometimes, the darkest moments are where we find our greatest growth. As Tay learned, the fire that fuels us doesn’t always start with light—it can start from the ashes of our struggles, igniting something more powerful than we ever imagined.
One of the most important lessons Tay learned during his time in prison was the value of getting to know himself. He says it best: “In order to do something, you must confront yourself first.” In a place where everything around him was out of his control, he realized the one thing he had power over was his own mind. It was in that solitude that he had to confront himself—what he wanted, what he didn’t want, and what kind of life he hoped to build once he was out of that situation.
That introspection wasn’t just about surviving; it was about planning for something greater. And when he finally walked out of prison, he did so with purpose. That’s when everything started to click. He launched his businesses, 9ine4our, WeCareStudio, Truewill, began creating his art, dove into non-profit work, and even started his own clothing brand. For him, it wasn’t just about building something for himself, but about using his story and his art to inspire others.
Tay wants to show others, especially those who come from difficult circumstances, that resilience and strength aren’t just traits you’re born with. They come from within—from the decisions you make in your toughest moments. The hands you’re dealt may not always be fair, but what matters is how you play them. He hopes his journey serves as proof that you can take what life gives you and turn it into something beautiful—no matter where you start.
But self-awareness isn’t enough on its own. Tay also emphasizes the importance of community—the environment that shapes you, the people who pour into your life, and the way that energy flows into your art. Your community pours into you, and you pour into it. It’s that interconnectedness that’s vital to success.
Now, his mission is to give back to the community. He wants to mentor young people, especially artists and entrepreneurs, and help them build something greater than themselves—help them align with their purpose and take the steps necessary to execute success. The essence of his message lies in the idea that success isn’t just individual—it’s about coming together, inspiring one another, and creating a legacy that’s rooted in both personal growth and collective empowerment. Tay’s work—from his art to his clothing brand—is not just about his own success; it’s about lifting others up and showing them what’s possible when you believe in yourself and have community.
Tay’s story is more than just resilience—it’s a blueprint for what it looks like to rise above, stay grounded, and pour back into the very roots that shaped you. His art is raw, powerful, and deeply human. Every brushstroke carries the weight of experience, every design tells a story, and every piece is created with intention. Whether it’s on a canvas or a hoodie, his work speaks for itself—loud, honest, and necessary.
More than an artist, Tay is a visionary, a mentor in the making, and proof that you can turn your pain into purpose. If you’re looking for inspiration, if you want to support someone who’s creating not just for himself but for the culture—tap in.
Follow Tay on Instagram @streetdreams.94 to witness the movement. Share his work, wear it, support it, and let it remind you of the strength that lives in you, too.
This isn’t just art—it’s testimony. And it’s only the beginning.
