What is your name and what city do you rep?
My name is TEF XL (prefer TEF), and I grew up in Jacksonville, FL
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
Gosh, the last 3: Say Less is self-motivational lol … “man, say less and do more, stop procrastinating!” RNR is a vulnerable track that forced me to reflect on things in my past I’m not proud of but learned from and Deuces is my mantra for life – I chuck deuces as a symbol of the calm chill energy I evoke and seek in my circle
What is unique about you and your music?
I blend old and new, my style is conversational, my lyrics reflect real life lessons, and I like to think I’m able to paint mental pictures with my words … you know, take people on a journey
What shaped your music?
Experiences I had at home, on the streets, in relationships, my career … yeah … life experiences
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
Early in my 20’s when I was on the streets and running a promotions company, I was good at it & it seemed a natural next step – then I put it down to pursue my pharmacist career; after finishing my doctorate and a long hiatus from the scene, I felt compelled to write “injustice” after the slew of racial injustices of 2020 and it’s been uphill since
What type of music do you listen to?
Hip-hop, soul, R&B – love me a nicely curated playlist
What inspires you to write music?
Impactful experiences – after I reflect and process my feelings, I want to “write” them out vs “talk” them out
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
I am a healthcare executive full time so serving others is my passion, music for creativity, and fitness is my upper, I use it for focus, mood, and spiritual balance
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
Be authentic to you, it’s easy to get caught up in what others are creating and think you need to modify … I did an interview with Sway Calloway and he shared the advice “super-feed your people, no matter how small there is an audience”
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
Thank you for asking, I will be dropping a single from my upcoming album “Code Switch: The Prequel” followed by the album this fall. I’m partnering with a dope DJ on some new tracks and have lots of press in front and around that. Good stuff, blessed and grateful to be doing what I love.
Any last words for the readers?
First, to 24Hip-Hop – The article your staff writer did on Say Less was done with such intention, well done. So, thank you for the platform, you have a sea of artists to choose from, I’m grateful to be chosen.
To the readers …
Thank you for listening
Thank you for watching
Thank you for engaging