Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I’m YTN Tee, born in the USA and raised in the UK, with Nigerian heritage. I represent the NN (Northamptonshire), specifically Kettering! I grew up around different types of music. My household had a lot of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Afrobeats. Outside of that, many of my friends liked grime, UK rap, and hip hop, which is where my versatility comes from. I’ve always enjoyed different types of music, so it makes sense for me to create a variety of music. I grew up listening to music in an era where it felt more authentic and meaningful, rather than just trendy. I try not to do what everyone else is doing; I stay true to myself and be free with my music.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover YTN Tee?
A: Consistency. I think the key to being successful is hard work and consistency. It’s easier said than done, but releasing good, quality content consistently is how I plan to move forward. For new listeners, I would say expect the unexpected because I make a lot of different types of music, whether it’s genre or style, bars or melodic. Anything I release may be different but always consistent in terms of my identity, sound, and passion for releasing quality music. Any song could have a different vibe but still be very much YTN Tee and no one else.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Personally, A Boogie is one of my favorite artists, so at the moment, I’d say he’s a big inspiration for me. Not so much his style, but his transparency in his music and how honest he is about things in the songs he creates. Inspiration for me comes from everywhere. I see everything as inspiration: life, personal life, family, friends, my past, my future, films, TV shows. Literally, the most random things can inspire a lyric or a song for me, or even an idea for a visual. If you look hard enough, there’s inspiration everywhere, every day, all the time.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song “Lightsaber”?
A: Unfortunately, there’s not much of a story or message with this song. It was just a bit of fun in the studio. I wrote it on Wednesday, recorded it properly on Thursday, and shot the video on Friday.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: I’d describe my sound as authentic. When you hear my music and then listen to more of it, you quickly understand that I’m very much myself. I don’t try to sound like anyone else; sonically and lyrically, I’m just very much ‘YTN Tee’.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Lightsaber”?
A: Absolutely none.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I’m not sure I have a specific message in my music. I feel like I’m just telling my story and expressing how I’m feeling at the time through music. If people can relate or take something from any of my songs, that’s perfect. If someone just enjoys the hook, the chorus, or the vibe, then that’s perfect too. Being able to express myself musically is a good feeling in itself, so if others can resonate with whatever I’ve expressed, that’s a bonus. As an artist, the more I’ve done music, I’ve realized that as much as I would love my music to reach its full potential, I’m not sure about fame. But if I can make music, connect with listeners, and have a steady income from it, I’d be happy because my job would be doing something I genuinely love every day.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: 50 Cent. That’s my GOAT. My era, what I grew up on. It definitely has to be 50.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: As cliché as it sounds, I would say just keep going because you really don’t know what’s around the corner for you. It’s still hard for me to keep going at times, but thinking back to times I’ve wanted to stop doing music, if I had, I wouldn’t have had some of the opportunities that I have, which have led to other opportunities and creating good relationships with good people. So just keep going and keep believing in yourself. You can’t keep hitting a tree with an axe and the tree not fall down!
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Nothing. Everything happens for a reason. You just have to continue the journey, believe in yourself, and trust the process.