The Island MTL’s Blog

I guess I’d say it’s a sort of toss up between Lauryn Hill’s conscious vibe and wisdom, EVE’s edge, India Arie’s spirituality with a Nelly Furtado/Pink versatility!
I’m honest in my writing. I’m the kind of person who’d love to leave you with something to think about, so naturally, I do the same in my music and poetry in terms of content.
The actual sound of my music would vary considering I’m a lover of all types and I’ll probably dip my finger in the mix. But as long I’m rapping, Hip Hop could be expected.

When I realized that a lot of what I had to say in my writing pertained to many others like myself. A lot of my friends in highschool used to like to borrow my agenda so they ‘d have something to read in class. most of them would jot down the ones they liked best. A few even asked me to write a couple just for them and it really took me a back. It helped me to see that a lot of people appreciate hearing/reading that they’re NOT the only ones that have been through certain experiences. I see that my readers  enjoy being able to read a piece that reminds them of something they’d been through or ARE going through at the time. Especially when it’s packedged in organized paragraphs and rhymes. One thing I’ve always admired about poetry, is how something grim like heartbreak or death can be turned into something so beautiful and full circle from beginning to end. And love poems paint gorgeous pictures in the mind. THAT’s why I will one day write a book; even if it’s only a book of poems.

I first began writing when I was around, seven. Back when I could barely spell, and had more to say than I had the vocabulary to describe with! I used to write short stories about fictional characters. During the Ice Storm in ’98, is when I suddenly almost overnight, starting writing poetry. Back when almost every girl in elementary had a favorite Backstreet Boy, lol, I was listening to sentimental R&B, including the Boys, and began to appreciate good writing. I guess becoming a young woman played a part in that as well. Not knowing what love REALLY was, but spoke of it with such conviction. Just wanting to be whisked away by a prince charming, had me crooning for imaginary lovers in my writing.

RAPPING- came in 2002. A few friends of mine were putting on a rap show for our high scool. One was a friend who remembered that I liked to sing. He dogged me until I gave in, to try and sing on his chorus. I remember, we re-did Bow Wow’s first track, back when he was ‘L’il’ lol. About a week before the show, he remembered that I wrote poetry. He tried to convince me that writing rhymes was extremely similar to writing poetry. I went home with the beat, wrote something, then spit it to him over the phone and he tripped!
I remember it like yesterday, for the performance, I sang the chorus from behind the curtains so people thought it was a voice over, then my verse came, and I spit it. Everyone was pleasantly confused according to the feedback!
But two years ago, is when I really decided that rapping was for me. I love music, I’ve always loved singing so it just made sense when I really read what I was spewing on paper. My writing became a lot more like, “What’s wrong with the world, am I going crazy?” It seemed I had more attitude, I was tired of ‘bull-ish’ and I wanted answers! It’s not bubble gum rap. It’s emotional, it’s spiritual and uplifting. When I really get into it, I feel like I’m slapping everyone in the face who ever doubted me- to me, THAT’s the best revenge I’ve EVER given, and it’s also the best therapy! I feel like I’m ME when I’m on stage- the ME I’ve always tried to become; like,
“World, allow me to introduce myself…”
(Thanks Larry!)

Wow. Maaaaan, well, my biggest influences who inspire me to be a better person, is my father and my boyfriend. To me, my father was a brilliant man that stood for so much. I’m sure anyone who had ever known him would’ve said the same. My boyfriend, my father and my music all have one thing in common, they keep me honest. My boyfriend’s definitely my better half. Other than them and the rest of my family, musically, I’d say Lauryn Hill, Kanye, T.I, Erykah Badu, Nas, Common, Def Poet, Beanie Sigel, Young Jeezy and Def Poet/rapper Black Ice and a few others that I can’t list off the top right now. All those artists share commun denominators: Honesty. They’re all not afraid to admit that their characters may be flawed at times. Most of them, like T.I, Kanye, Black Ice and Common, for example, show that their lives will always be a struggle as long as they have inner demons to fight. It’s the bittersweet aspect of being human, I think. There’s a lot of admiration to be had, for anyone, (not just artists), who can stand up and say,
“Yeah I’ve screwed up, but I’m trying…”

A lot of your content is very deep, personal even. Do all your ideas come from a personal experience, or are they just topics you want to address?

Mostly all my material comes from a personal experience. Which from my content in my last two tracks ARE very personal. I have no shame in showing who I am. When you talk about where you come from, it answers a lot of questions as to what makes you who you are today.
Whatever isn’t from experience, is spoken from an outsider’s view looking in on OTHER people’s experiences or what the influences are that co-exist along side our experiences as a whole. THOSE are often things I feel are important to discuss.
I look at the world everyday, and I see so much falling off. We as a people have grown insentive of the most inhumain things, and it’s sad to know that our children have to suffer from it. I believe that most of the problems in the world, come from problems in ourselves.
“Man created his own destruction”- The world is ‘US’. How do you change the world? Change yourself! It’s simple but hard as hell.
I try to shed light, share my wishes and hopes for what kind of world I wish this was. I believe it takes one to make a difference, but it takes EVERYONE to make a change.. I guess I’m just trying to make a difference in the best way I can. Hopefully, I’ll touch enough people to create a movement… nothing like a prophet, but I have big dreams, not just for myself, but for the world I live in. I may never see it clean, but I hate seeing it THIS dirty… so I talk about it.

So far, I haven’t had any cons. I haven’t made enough noise yet to really generate a gossip circle, or at least if there is one, it hasn’t come back to me yet. I’m sure some people will have something to say about my flow, or my voice, just as anyone would about any other artist, but nothing has come up that really made me regret becoming a musician, if that’s what you mean by ‘cons’. Pros have been people commenting on my lyrical content, my honesty, my singing voice.. a few collabos were BECAUSE of the pros so I’m grateful, that’s for sure. Besides, no matter how many cons MAY come up, I’ll never let them outweigh the pros. (This is MY dream to be had!) 😀

‘Be Who U-R’ isn’t a group. It’s the subtitle/theme of Big Bricc’s anticipated album. “Underground RealRoad” is the group name of Bricc and Drexl together. Drexl is the sound engineer who makes the beats, mixes, masters and produces the album. Bricc is the voice and the graphic artist. Or like I like to say, Drex is the tracks, Bricc is the train, together they build the steam that keeps them rollin! Bricc approached me to get on a few tracks for the album. The photos I put up are just shots we took of everyone who is featured on the album. One guitarist, Mr. Bits (A rapper), and myself bringing both rapping and singing or course, so be ready to hear that.
As for the music, Underground RealRoad is for those who appreciate good beats, entertainment and meaningful content. It promotes being yourself, knowing your purpose, forgetting the ‘haters’ and doing YOU- It’s a treat for the ears trust me!  “A bit of underground with a hot twist”- Big Bricc

Well, solo right now, is what I’m going for. I definitely don’t shy away from collaborations as you can see with Underground RealRoad, but very few artists, (especially female), talk about what I do. Hense why Bricc approached me. He saw that we were both on the same page in terms of beliefs, lyrical content and craft. That’s usually what makes for a good duo on a track. Chemistry is essential.
ANYTIME Bricc wants to do something, I’d be down just because we mesh well together musically, and outside the booth. That goes for any artist I feel I’d make great music with. But who knows what the future holds, maybe if I came across another female and/or male artist that I really see myself sharing the light with on a long term basis, I’d get excited- For now, far as I’m concerned, MISS TEE is a one-man show, so to speak. I like my ‘open-music-relationships’ 😀

What can fans expect from you in the near future?

Well- same that I would expect from my OWN future- lots of inspiration, lots of great beats, deep meatphors, rediculous amounts of ‘swagger’ and club hits too!
Radio-air play, hopefully a professional music video(s), more collabos and tons of POSITIVE noise!  Oh- and a lil something that will help a good cause 😉

Damn, “It’s a flashing green light if you want it badly- MISS TEE”
For real. Anything you want, YOU are the only one who could get in the way of not having it. No one on this earth has the power to prevent you from fulfilling your dreams. People or certain situations may make it difficult, but consider them challenges. Look at it as the world or universe asking you,
“Is THIS what you really want?” People who allow fear to get in the way of their dreams will always let minor set-backs stop them from reaching. DON’T ! If you don’t know where to start, find people who are already doing what you’d like to be doing and ask how THEY did it, and follow those positive steps. Be confidant, protect your dream(s) like it were your treasure, care for it like it were your child, and remind OTHERS to KEEP DREAMING like I’m reminding YOU!  We are BEYOND this world, therefor you can be, do and have ANYTHING you want!

MISS TEE xox ❤

‘Maktub’: “It Is Written”