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If you love real rap, then you’ll love Teeezy. Born and raised in Compton, California, the West Coast spitter prides himself in making only the realist music, inspired directly by his experiences in the streets. Having fallen victim to the justice system and spending a few years behind bars, Teeezy would then find music to be his saving grace.

Speaking on his sound, Teeezy states, “I really make good music. I don’t rap about bullshit. To me, I got the greatest sound. I don’t really like to categorize myself. A lot of people will say I make street music, this or that, but I make real rap. When they classify my music, they classify it as real rap.”

Growing up to the likes of Tupac, Biggie, Snoop Dogg, Eric B & Rakim, and Ja Rule, Teeezy was always super musically inclined. In fact, he wrote his first rap at only five years old, taking after his mother who was also a rapper. But growing up in Compton comes with its own battles, and Teeezy was locked up twice before he shifted his focus to rap as a profession. Thanks for his viral freestyles, he soon inserted himself as a forced to be reckoned with in the city.

Sheen caught up with Teeezy in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his name, recent releases, fatherhood, the independent grind, goals, his clothing line, and more!

First question for those who don’t know who is Teeezy?

First off, Teeezy a bad motherfucker. [laughs] I’m just playing. I’m a rapper, I’m from Compton. If I had to describe myself, I’d say loyal. Fun. Real fun. Funny. Shit, passionate. You name it.

What was the inspiration behind your name? 

Growing up, my name was always Tee. That was my nickname, Tee. One day, my boy just called me Teeezy and I liked that shit. [laughs] I started rapping and saying that shit in the rap, it stuck with me.

Any significance with three E’s? Just to be different?

Just different. I knew if I woulda went with two, it woulda popped up with everyone else. That’s my standout right there.

Talk about “Members Only” going viral globally, you have people in Saudi Arabia dancing to it!

Saudi Arabia, Jamaica. That shit viral right now. It’s all organic. I ain’t got no label behind me, no real promotion behind me. I’m an independent artist forreal, it’s just the sound of the music took off by itself.

What about “COVID-19”? What inspired that one?

The inspiration behind “COVID-19,” I was just sick of bullshit. “Sick of n*ggas” is how I started it. Sick of n*ggas talking about this and talking about thatt When I make my music, I really make music off how I’m feeling at that moment. If I’m not feeling some type of way, I can’t make no song. That shit crazy, it tripped me out. That’s where my mind was at at the moment. “COVID-19” was a product of that, crazy.

So it wasn’t inspired by the pandemic?

Nah, I just said the “COVID-19” because I’m sick of n*ggas. Give me my six feet!

I see you post a lot about your daughter, what does fatherhood mean to you? 

Everything. I don’t even see myself not being a dad, that’s everything. Ain’t gon’ lie, fatherhood is my life. 

How old is your daughter? 

She’s 10. She’s about to be 11 this year. It’s crazy. She been with a n*gga since day one. Day1K, on God.

Does she be listening to your music?

Yeah, I be trying to get her badass to not listen to my shit but she going word for word. [laughs] She calls herself Shereezy?. And she can sing herself. She cold.

Is she going to do music?

I don’t know if I want to push her in that direction. Whatever she wants to do, she can do. But I don’t know if I want to encourage or push her in that direction. Keep her out the limelight.

What’s your most meaningful tattoo?

I got one on my face right here: the fearless rune. The tattoo is supposed to keep all fear out your body. Protect you from everything, it’s almost like a clue. I don’t know if you’re a superstitious person. I’m not a religious person, but I’m a superstitious person.

How’s the independent grind?

It’s hard as a motherfucker, but it’s worth more once you get you where you want to go. But it’s hard as hell. Hell yeah, I want a record label to push me. Hell yeah, I want to be able to sit back and do what I want to do when I want to do it. But that’s not the case, for me at least. It feels better when I accomplish all the goals I set for myself. I love it, I ain’t gon’ lie.

3 things you need in the studio at all times?

Bud, drink, and some females fasho. [laughs] I like to vibe. I’ll invite 5 or 6 females, and I wouldn’t even be in there. I just like to vibe. I’ll be in the booth or at the computer the whole time, while everybody else in there partying. I like the vibe, the energy. It gotta be some positive around me.

Any goals for yourself at this point of your career?

My biggest goal is to keep waking up everyday, that’s a big goal right there. Of course, I got long-term goals. Short-term goals. All types. My long-term goal, I want the millionaire dollar mansion. The big cars, everything else. That’s a reachable goal, that’s why I’m gonna keep talking about. My short-term goals, I gotta get this tape going. I want to branch my clothing line out a little further. I want a couple more upgrades. Little stuff for my studio, little add-ons. Music-wise, this album. 

Talk about your clothing line.

Day1K: t-shirts, sweaters, sweatsuits, CDs, whatever you need. Day1K.com, you can find whatever you need. Shit’s fire too, ain’t gon’ lie. I’m finna do a new drop with the shorts and shirts that say “the no love left” drop from my last EP. Anything you want to check out, hit day1k.com. Everything’s on there.

Why K?

Day one killa. I don’t really do day one homie.

When are you dropping your next project?

Hopefully no later than the next two months. I’m 60% through with it right now, but I’ve been working hard on that motherfucker. I’m just missing a couple of songs and the name, and it’s ready. Once that drops, it’s over!

Anything else you want to let us know?

Thank you for fucking with me, I highly appreciate it. Everybody please be on the lookout for this next project that’s coming. I can’t wait to hit y’all with the date and title. If you haven’t already, go check out that “Members Only” that I just dropped. Instagram  is @teezy_day1k. 

Photo Credits: Courtesy of E-Hill Entertainment