Troy has always been a lover of music. Music was a constant staple in his childhood, Brooklyn NY, home. His father is an accomplished singer & pianist. So it was only natural for Troy to become enamored by music's unbreakable spell. Troy knew that he had a decent singing voice, but was too insecure to use it; so he took up playing the trumpet in middle school. Troy attended the world famous Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn NY. Many of the greats in music have walked those halls, such as Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Kedar Massenberg, Clive Davis, Will Downing, James "D Train" Williams, Stacy Francis, Hubert Eaves IV and the list goes on. By the time Troy graduated he was finally using his voice as a member of the school's Choral Club.

After spending some time in the United States Marine Corps; Troy was back in New York City and became immersed in its vibrant music scene. His love and knowledge for the music of Chaka Khan led him to be asked to take over a newly developed Chaka Khan website. Troy and Andres Ringman, renamed the site to "Chaka's House" and the response was overwhelming. Here is where Troy began to become personally acquainted with some of the artists he had admired, such as Maysa, Tonni "Funkin' For Jamaica" Smith and Chaka Khan herself.

Now, feeling more confident in his vocal abilities; Troy began singing and acting around NYC in small venues and stages. Eventually, in 2009, realizing the need for a place where independent music artists could showcase their talents, in an upscale and homey venue. The seeds of BAAS Entertainment were planted. First known as Bangin' Ass Artists, fellow artists loved the risky name, but corporate America didn't. So the name was changed to the BAAS Group, using the initials. Under that title we, Darryl M. Hill and I, put on incredible showcases around NYC that highlighted artist: Alyson Williams, Dionne Farris, Trina Broussard, Kimberly NIchole, Rahbi, Ra-Re Valverde, Angela Johnson, Monet, ChinahBlac, Darien Dean, Brown Baby Girl, Gordon Chambers, Abby Dobson and more!! Before you know it they were sponsoring Grammy parties in Los Angeles as well as their showcases in NYC.

Sadly, Darryl passed in 2011. Recently, Troy decided to restructure and rebrand the BAAS Group to BAAS Entertainment. With the onset of the covid 19 pandemic, putting on in person showcases were unfathomable. So Troy decided to showcase artists via podcasts. First came the SIX DEGREES OF... Podcast where he along with his co-hosts Wanda T and Arif St. Michael, showcase artists they felt made an indelible mark in music. Then shortly after the BAAS Entertainment podcast emerged highlighting the best in Indie Soul, R&B, Jazz, House and Gospel. Troy is proud of his accomplishments and is planning to expand the BAAS Entertainment brand.

Wanda Tidline has been a music entertainment professional for over 25 years.
She career started in 1995, in New York City as a freelance researcher for Chaka
Khan. In 1997, she was hired as an A&R assistant for Bert Padell, one of the
most powerful business managers in the entertainment industry. Mr. Padell’s
client roster at the time included Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, Naomi
Campbell, Timbaland, Missy Elliott and the Rock band Live, just to name a few.
Working for Bert Padell allowed Wanda direct access to industry heavy hitters
such as Clive Davis and LA Reid.
For the past 18 years, Wanda has specialized in concert booking, focusing
mainly on international markets. Her expertise is classic R&B, but she has also
booked major Hip Hop and Gospel Shows overseas. While working as an agent
at the American Talent Agency and ITA Worldwide Booking in New York, Wanda
has been afforded the opportunity to book and assist in booking many artists of
all genres including Diana Ross in Lagos, Nigeria, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Patti
Labelle, Natalie Cole and a host of other acts in Trinidad and Tobago and Kirk
Franklin, CeCe Winans, Mary Mary and many others for Gospel Superfest in
London.
Wanda has built significant professional relationships with high profile agents at
The William Morris Agency, Creative Artist Agency and International Creative
Management. She is very well respected amongst her colleagues in the industry.
Wanda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business from
Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the College of
William & Mary.

Born and raised in Queens NYC, singer, songwriter and producer, Arif St. Michael has been in the entertainment industry since 1979; performing as backing vocalist for various NYC based artists, then later for major recording artists. He’s performed on several National jingles and was featured in the WNBC’s "We’re 4 NY" and "Rooms To Go" commercials that ran for several seasons. He can also be heard on the tune "Never Say Goodbye" which was featured in the film "Never Again" with Jill Clayburgh and Jeffrey Tambor. Arif can also be heard as the featured vocalist on Richie Jones presents Caravan "The Promise", and as a member of the Nippon/ Columbia recording artist group Sepia.

He has worked and or shared the stage with Roy Ayers, Martha Wash, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Me’shell Ndegeocello, Chaka Khan, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, Indira Milini Khan, Herbie Hancock, Kelli Sae, Count Basic, Aaron Brown, Rosa Russ, Marlon D. Saunders, Martha Redbone, Sandra St. Victor, Asha Puthli and Ana Razafimbahiny.

Arif is a welcomed addition to the SIX DEGREES OF... Podcast his musical history and knowledge of the prominent works of some of the industry’s most phenomenal and gifted artists, are surpassed by none.