We were lucky to catch up with Tea Fannie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Pretty wild that just 6 years ago I had massive stage fright. When i left my ex husband I made the decision to start doing music, but the planned path in my head was to just be a recording artist and ghostwrite for the greats. But just under a year in, and the studio I recorded out of was doing a release party and he said I had to come up with a 15 minute set. I said no quite a few times, but as you’re probably guessing, I ended up on that stage. I enlisted my cousin to come up on stage with me for moral and vocal support because she can sing, I’ve never even had the courage to do a karaoke before this moment hehe. We had cute little matching shirts and jeans. I practiced over and over and over and over, ok you get it, yes and over again. I learned a lot when I came off that stage. I knew I had something special because the way the venue is set up, the bar to sit and order drinks is in kind of a separate place from the stage, so they can hear me, but not see me. But about halfway through my first verse, I saw a rush of ppl coming to see who that was. I learned that practice doesn’t make perfect but makes it worth it. I didn’t miss a word or a beat, and felt “comfy” enough anyway hehe, all I had to worry about was not passing out. I also learned a lot of stuff was all in my head. I thought I was visibly shaking, I thought I was sweating through all my clothes in all the wrong places, I thought I was going to throw up, I thought my friends wouldn’t show up. I had one of my friends and my parents actually, drive all the way from calgary to see my first show ever. side note: I lived in mohkinstsis (calgary) for about 15 years now, but when I broke up with my ex, I moved to Edmonton for a year of…well exploring we’ll call it…which I’m thankful for that rough year because music came from it. So anyway, ya my fam and friends mostly in calgary, though I’d made new friends through my struggles who are my besties today. Ok back to the story. Anyway, I taped that first performance and I kept it on my youtube as a reminder of the difference of how I look to how I THINK I looked and felt. I took a big risk, and it has been paying me back every day since. ummm, well financially is on the way I’m sure, but mentally has been paying me back every day since hehe.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Tea Fannie, because my real name is spelled Tiffannie and I love tea lol. I’m a pretty simple person. I found something I love to do and turns out I’m pretty good at it so I’ve been riding this wave for about 6 years. My discipline? I rap. Started off writing poetry like most rappers from back in the day, but I never would recite for anyone besides my teenage bf hehe. I also ghostwrite so if anyone is looking for lyrics, email me! I also do custom songs when commissioned. I’ve been told my lyrics are vulnerable which makes people connect to them on a deeper level than a lot of mainstream “hip hop” today. I grew up on country and soca basicaly, so I like a wide range of genres hehe. I have collaborated with soft rock artists, country, pop, latin rock, etc. I like to challenge myself and rap on anything. I’ve also done youth workshops, spoken at schools/events, and hosted events. My parents run a food truck in town, which is one of the few black owned food trucks in the city!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Arlo Maverick is an artist in Treaty 6 edmonton and he does not hoard information and lessons he learns along the way, not only will he share if asked something directly, but a few years ago he was doing a series where he would share tips that most artists didn’t know they even needed. Things like etiquette on band group chats, how to treat and maintain a band, how to get your music on spotify, I could go on and on. But finding gems like Arlo who is willing to mentor anyone who will listen, has really helped solidify my status as an artist in this province.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission is simple, change the world. no big deal right. Heavily inspired by a story I read years ago that I can no longer find today of course, Rihanna had put graffiti on a wall of a village she visited once and it ended up boosting the economy in the village because of all the tourists paying to see this wall and share this space that riri once stood in. I just thought it’s so interesting that once your name means something, you can literally generate income, imagine what we could do. And it’s kinda cool that I feel surrounded in my music family that feel the same way. we may actually do it who knows. But dream big, never know where you’ll land.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teafanniemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamteafannie/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJP7lcJaQt7bR05rpu4VdIQ
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/teafanniemusic

Image Credits

Magically Mango
Yusi
Gracious Chaos Photography
Zack Pinkowski