With artists like Rick Ross, Plies, Trick Daddy, and the legendary Uncle Luke, male entertainers from the sunshine state have risen to stardom with their edgy look on life’s reality. But there’s never actually been a young rapper from Florida who has took the hip hop industry by storm. Meet 17 year old Teejay. Teejay, born in Daytona Beach, is an up-and-coming rapper whose sights are bent on using his lyrical skills to carve his own trail to musical star status. The youngster vows to keep education first and plans to use the grass roots technique in building his fan base. Teejay is definitely on the right track.

STACKS Magazine recently chatted with Teejay to gain some insight on him, his style of rap, and why he believes he will stand out from the crowd.

How old are you?
TJ: I’m 17

How did you start rapping?
Teejay: When I was young, I had an older cousin who took me to the studio. He had a song that he was recording when he took me there and he asked me would I record a part if he taught me how to do it. I said Yeah! I became interested and it’s been my career…what I’ve been focused on.

Are you still in high school?
Teejay: Yes, I’m in the 11th grade.

How long have you been rapping?
Teejay: Since I was 11…I’ve been doing it for about 4 years.
 

Ok. How did you come up with the songs ‘I GO HAM’ and ‘WHATEVA’?
Teejay: Actually with ‘I GO HAM’, before we even had the song finished, I emailed Iceburg his part. When I got it back, in his part he actually said I go ham in his verse, before it made it on the chorus. When I was coming up with a chorus, I used his part on the chorus to make it exciting.
 

For the song “Whateva”, how did you come up with the concept?
Teejay: I paid this beatmaker. One day he made the beat, he had the concept and he had a dude come sing on the track and I just wrote to it. He had the idea and I put in my ideas with that.

How do you plan on standing out from other rappers that are out today?
Teejay: I be my own person and I follow my own leading. I’m a leader myself.

Who are your inspirations as far as other artists?
Teejay: I listen to Tupac. I listen to T.I. I listen to Plies. I listen to Drake.

How would you describe your style of rap?
Teejay: My style would be reality. My style would be my own swag. I have my own style. I got swag that’s how I say it. My style is just to be real and express it through my music.

What are the type of things you’ve learned thus far about the industry (good and bad)?
Teejay: I’ve learned about consistency and that how active you are determines how successful you are going to be. The negative part about it is, nothing major, you just get criticized by different people. Like criticism and rumors that spread is nothing major.

How do you plan on handling criticism?
Teejay: I’ve already been through that phase so it’s like nothing really. It’s really like talk to boost my publicity.

As far as shows and appearances, money will start coming into play, have you thought about how you will save your money and investing it?
Teejay: Yes, I plan on doing shows for the neighborhood and making money off selling drinks, snacks and food. I will save that money to pay for my publicity. I will use that money to pay for advertising and shows and keeping my business organized.

What do you have going on now? What are your plans for the next 6 to 12 months?
Teejay: My plans are to maintain focus in school. But at the same time build my publicity for me to get ready to get exposed for real. Like when I get out of school I’d be able to work full time on the music industry. But for now I maintain myself in school. I’m trying to figure out which college Im going to attend.

What kind of advice up-n-coming rappers, such as yourself, what would you tell them?
Teejay: I would tell then to make a plan. Stay motivated. Follow positive…Find leaders that you can follow so that you can be a leader. That’s it.

For more information on Teejay, bookings, etc, please contact him at Teejay386@gmail.com. Or via phone at 386-307-6670 or 386-868-9689 or 386-689-7476.

Via the web:

MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/teejay386
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TeeJay386
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/TEEJAY_MUSIC

Mp3:

I_GO_HAM

 WHATEVA

 

10 Responses

  1. Londayep thats my lil cuzin who im sooo proud of!!

    yep thats my lil cousin who im sooo proud of!!!! gooo teejay keep up the good work!!!! luv ya

  2. Ur TT B Jizzle

    I LOVE MY NEPHEW HE HAS ALWAYS WORKED HARD 4 WHATEVER HE WANTS HE HAS A STRONG HUSTLE GAME IF ITS SUMTHIN HE REALLY WANTS THEREZ NOTHING THAT HE WOULD ALLOW 2 DISTRACT HIM HE IS A TRUE YOUNG LIVING LEGEND U BETTA BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!! =)

  3. #ProudAunt

    Words cannot express how proud I am of you TeeJay! I’ve believed in you from day one of hearing you rap and I will continue to believe in you and your career in music. Your passion drive & FAITH IN GOD will take you EVERYWHERE!
    I love you very much 1st born Nep and remember your family will ALWAYS be your #1 fans…TRUST

  4. Fan for Life!

    TeeJay you are a role model for many! Not only do you have HOTT lyrics, but you’ve always had an original and unique swagg! Look to the future Friend!

  5. #1 Fan!!! aka Ma

    I wish you nothing but the best son! You truly deserve it! You’ve worked hard and you have no reason to stop now! I LOVE and respect your music! Keep God first, keep praying, keep believing, keep hustling and you’ll keep moving up!

  7. Koko

    Nice write up TeeJay. Stay positive and motivated you will go far. Much love to you TeeJay

  8. Amp

    I believe in you and know that youll climb to the top nothing less as long as you stay FOCUSED!!! Now Shock with the Best!

  9. stacy hall

    Hi TJ. You don’t know me but you are a friend of my son Marcus McCall. I want to say, that my son turned me and quite a few other family members and friends on to you and your music. You truly are a wonderful and talented young artist, and your music has carried me places and also lifted me up when I was down! I carry your CD with me always. Because of you, my son is also inspired to the fullest and is now working on his raps too. Keep reaching for the stars. Nothing makes me more proud than to see a young black man such as yourself become the best he can be!

  10. TeeJay

    HEY, WHATS GOOD THIS IS TeeJay SLIDIN THROUGH TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR SHOWING LOVE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ME AT YOUTUBE.COM/TEEJAY386.