#Famyne Red

[indieversal]

     Cleveland is home to a large variety  of talented, hidden gems and Tee Willis; a gracefully, toned R&B singer who’s ambitious grind matches that of her local Hip Hop counterparts, is next up to display her passion to the world. True to the grind, Tee has accumulated a number of ballads and collaboration tracks from fellow R&B and Hip Hop artists to prove to her city that their support is needed to push her craft from local to nationwide. Within the year, she has already created 2 Albums/Mixtapes, “Black Hummingbird” and “95” with a variety of various singles to make it clear that your focus should be on awaiting her next project. Young and determined, this independent R&B/Soul vocalist has been making moves on her own within the city of Cleveland for years and shows no sign of letting up even if she has to serenade her way through your heart. The majority of music played throughout the airwaves seems to be focused on Hip Hop artists at the current moment… I think it’s about time we shift the tide back to R&B for a awhile.

      Recently, I  had the pleasure to do a Q&A with the lovely Ohioan, to help viewers determine if she has what it takes to sway them over to follow her along her musical journey and continue to provide support.

(Q1) IndieVersal: So Miss Willis, how long have you been singing?

(A1) Tee Willis: I’ve been singing ever since I could talk basically. I just remember being 3 years old singing Usher’s “Nice & Slow” and my mom being upset about me singing a sexy song at such a young age. Also, I used to sing for and direct choirs growing up, and star lead roles in musicals in high school.

(Q2) IndieVersal: What drives you to follow your passion in the form of singing?

(A2) Tee Willis: Well, I sing and make music literally because it makes me happy and is a major stress reliever. So I would have to say I do music to keep me level-headed when it comes to being stressed with school, work, and life in general. If I did not deal with the things I deal with every day, then I wouldn’t have anything to sing about or write about.

(Q3) IndieVersal: Which local artists, R&B/Hip Hop artists would you wish to collaborate with?

(A3) Tee Willis: Truthfully….. EVERYONE. It is just so hard setting up collaborations since I am in school and when I’m not in school, I am either working on homework  or I am at work. Due to my busy schedule, the little free time and money that I do receive  dedicated to studio time, does not match up well with other artists, making collaborations difficult at times. With so much on my plate, creating music can be difficult but whenever I can get a break, I am always down to work with anyone who can challenge me as an artist. If I could collaborate with a mainstream artist, I would have to say my first go-to would be Drake. He inspires me a lot as a writer and how I deliver my writing, and just to be on a track with him would just make my entire life!

(Q4) IndieVersal: Who is your idol in life and in the music industry; past or present?

(A4) Tee Willis: My idol in life would have to be my grandmother. She really came from nothing and made something special out of herself, and raised me until I was about seven years old. I just want to be strong and wise like her one day. Regarding the music industry, I don’t “idolize” her but Beyonce is a strong influence of what I wish to be as a woman. She’s just so huge and still remains humble even with all that she has accomplished in life which says a lot about her character.

(Q5) IndieVersal: Which song is your favorite and means the most to you that you have created?

(A5) Tee Willis: This is truly a tough one, because I write every single song from experience and every single thing I sing about means the world to me because 99% of the time it really has happened. If I was forced to pick ONE…. I would have to say the first song I ever did, “Love Thang”. It means so much because I was 16 years old, recording off of my laptop with a cheap microphone my mom bought me using a simple software (Audacity). No auto-tune, no crazy effects, no hard core mixing… just Tee Willis and her microphone. Everyone really loved the song and that is what inspired me into going into studios and getting my name out there. I believe people were really impressed with how I made it all work with such limited resources and to be only 16 years old.

 (Q6) IndieVersal: Which song do you feel you had your best collaboration on?

(A6) Tee Willis: I would have to say that my best collaboration was “Attention” with an artist by the name of Ricky Rikardo. Ricky made the beat and produced the entire track sampling Ray-J’s “One Wish” song. I think it’s my best feature because it was one of the first songs where I kind of just “let loose” and allowed my emotions to bleed through the track. I was going through a lot at the time being mentally manipulated by a significant other and that song was my breaking point of not being afraid to be blunt and say exactly how I feel and illustrate my insecurities.

(Q7) IndieVersal: Where do you see yourself in the foreseeable future with your music career?

(A7) Tee Willis: Honestly, I just want to become successful enough to take care of my family, especially my mom so she never has to worry about paying another bill.

(Q8) IndieVersal: Which producer have you always wanted to work with? Local or Mainstream?

(A8) Tee Willis: I’ve actually just started working with a mainstream producers whom which  I’ve always wanted to work with which is crazy. I don’t want to say who, but this producer in particular is mixing my vocals for a feature song and has worked with Ciara, Justin Beiber, and Tinashae. I truly wish to work with Missy and Kanye (West) one day. Both have inspired me from day one and I’d probably be speechless if I was ever placed in a studio with either one of them. Local wise, I’m fine with the two producers I work with already, who are Zach (Adi Rei) and Famyne Red.

     To learn more about Cleveland’s own, Tee Willis, be sure to follow her through the Social Media outlets. Be sure to show support if you love her music and share with friends.

Twitter: @SweetHoneyTee_

Instagram: Tee Willis

Facebook: Tee Willis

YouTube: Tee Willis

Audiomack: Tee Willis

SoundCloud: Tee Willis

#New #IndieWatch Tee Willis @SweetHoneyTee_      Cleveland is home to a large variety  of talented, hidden gems and Tee Willis; a gracefully, toned R&B singer who's ambitious grind matches that of her local Hip Hop counterparts, is next up to display her passion to the world.