We recently connected with Tee Manay and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Since I was a kid, I started playing the keyboard by ear at the age of 4-5, though I broke my first one, it took me a while to get s second one as a gift from my mom, but that was the foundation of my interest in music, even though I grew to become fund of science and was on the road to becoming a Doctor, graduated from medical school, but I still went back to my first love, it became clear to me when I moved to South Africa and had the opportunity to record my first studio song “Girl For The Night”, the engineer loved it and told me to submit it for an on-going drop zone competition then and I am glad I listened and submitted the song. I made it to the final 10 and won the competition out of 5,000 plus submissions, that was my affirmation that this path was my calling and since then, its been a great experience all the way, one I wouldn’t trade for any other.

Tee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Afrobeats singer, songwriter and producer originally from Nigeria, in Africa. I am a pan Africanist and a huge human rights activist. I grew up back home in Nigeria, studied clinical anatomy, a branch of medicine and was actually going to become a Doctor, it music has always been my first love, I started playing instruments at the age of 4-5yrs, joined the church choir at 12yrs and never stopped loving music even while I was in medical school. I have traveled the world and performed in many places of which I am grateful for, from Lagos to Johannesburg to London to New York to California, Atlanta and more. I am currently working on my debut album after a few past EPs and singles and I’m excited about it. On the aspect of pan Africanism I am proud to be an ambassador of the kingdom of kush, a new sovereign Nation between Egypt and Sudan in Africa, it will be the new tech city that will change the narrative for Africa and create jobs, economic stability, social stability, equality and financial freedom for its citizens. I look forward to seeing the entire diaspora return home to the continent through this new development.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can do a lot, but I think we all can start by appreciating great work of Art for what it is, buying art will be the best way to go, if society can denounce piracy in totality, art will thrive and creatives will earn from your work and be able to have a sustainable life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to think outside the box is my greatest reward. As an Artist, I appreciate the ability to explore all forms or creativity without limitation, it is the utmost level of freedom anyone could ever imagine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://teemanayofficial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teemanay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teemanay/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/teemanay?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeemanayOfficial

Image Credits
Credits: SlimQWorld, ApmWorld, UmaziTheKreator