In 2016 Tee Grizzley stormed on the scene with his viral record โFirst Day Out.โ The song was an autobiography that resonated worldwide. His voice was crisp and his lyrics descriptive, telling a story that placed any listener in a front-row seat to the action. As an artist, he set out to prove that he was next up to represent and far beyond a one-hit wonder.
The Down Way Up
Terry Sanchez Wallace, aka Tee Grizzley, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. His grandmother primarily raised him because both his parents were in and out of jail. Growing up, he was initially interested in being a Hip Hop artist but lacked drive. He was often fascinated with the street life he experienced growing up. Fortunately, he focused on education by attending Michigan State University and majoring in finance. But the financial burden of being a college student began to take its toll on a young Grizzley, so he and some friends started to rob dorm rooms and sell off the merchandise. โI was just broke,โ Grizzley told the Breakfast Club. โI was trying to do stuff. A lot of females up there. I was trying to go through internships. I needed some paper. I needed some money!โ
After getting caught and charged for a home invasion at Michigan State University, Grizzley went on the run to Lexington, Kentucky, where he and some friends attempted a smash-and-grab theft at a jewelry store. The robbery attempt was unsuccessful; Grizzley and his friends were held at gunpoint by a customer until the police came to arrest them. โWe ainโt have no hoodies, no mask on, or nothing,โsaid Tee Grizzley. For his crimes, Tee Grizzley served nine months in Kentucky jail and then eighteen months in Michigan prison.
Game Plan Change
While incarcerated, Tee Grizzley began to pen the rhymes to โFirst Day Out.โ The trackโs creation was Grizzleyโs attempt to become a local Detroit star, but the success grew nationwide. The achievement of โFirst Day Outโ was introducing the Detroit sound that other artists from the city would premiere soon after. โI always had a passion for music,โ Tee Grizzley told Revolt, โbut I never thoughtโor I never saw myself being a part of Hip Hop history in that type of way, having that much of an impact.โ
The momentum for Tee Grizzley continued as he signed a deal with 300 Entertainment. No longer taking time for granted, Grizzley released a series of songs from mixtapes like โSecond Day Outโ, โFrom the D to the Aโ ft. Lil Yachtyโ, and debut album โActivated.โ
Coneys on Me
Tee Grizzleyโs voice has a signature sound that can be recognized on a basketball court in New Jersey or a club in Los Angeles. He raps every verse as if itโs his last, which can be heard on โTrenches,โ where he rhymes, โYeah, I went to Cody and Dixon/ Three dollars to my name, got a juice and a McChicken.โ On โColors,โ he raps with the deep base drumroll and turns up vocally to match the sound impact. On his latest album, โTeeโs Coney Islandโ songs like โAinโt Nothing Newโ, โOne of Oneโ, and โLoop Holeโ demonstrate his rhyme-in-real-time storytelling style.
Tee Grizzleyโs unique quality is his ability to rhyme with a conversational flow. For now, his subject matter is limited to mostly street life because itโs the life he knows. For many young artists, their subject matter broadens as they embrace new experiences. If he chooses, Tee Grizzley has the potential to evolve into a high-caliber artist who leaves no subject unaddressed.
