by Mely Duong
Photos courtesy of Teef
Teef, a hip hop rap artist who has been slinging verses in Philadelphia since the age of 18, has always been involved in music since an early age. As a kid, his uncle introduced him to the world of jazz, wherein he began to memorize the meaningful lyrics to “Paid in Full” by Eric B and Rakim, but also began to feel the music through creating music himself by playing the sax and piano. It was inevitable that he would begin to identify with everything that hip hop stood for, created, and represented.
These momentous experiences have accompanied him throughout his life leading to his dabblings in music. It was not until about a year ago that he began to take music to the next level as an artist to minimize regrets in his life. “I got tired of wondering so I had to get these ideas out of my head,” he says.
Teef’s ideas were inspired by everything including the various arts in Philadelphia and people. His objective has always been to write about scenarios and feelings that everyone deals with and to remind each other that these emotions and struggles are relatable. “You can understand me clearly on stage, the subjects are real, and I’ve also been told my songs are reaffirming and inspiring,” Teef explains. He favors the song “Be Like that (Get Free)” and recommends it to readers because the message is clear and uplifting with a chill vibe infused.
The music in the background sets the stage for the story and Teef so eloquently tells that story. Because Teef exercises articulation and engages the crowd without ever giving instructions, he is able to stand out among other hip hop and rap artists and build a fan base. This is his talent, which makes him a well received hip hop artist. His humility, on the other hand, makes him a well liked human. “Nobody has to like your music…rock your set and keep it moving. Anything else is a bonus.”
Currently, Teef is working on his next EP titled, Swjacious (sagacious), with all the music produced by SVVJE, an upcoming producer in Philadelphia. In addition to his EP, he has been spending time writing, networking, and supporting others. He often frequents The Fire on Mondays for open mic. His main long term goal is to continue to distribute material, execute great performances, and to further build up a loyal fan base. For those who would like to learn more about Teef, check out his bandcamp.
