TeeFLii: L.A.'s R&B Best Kept Secret on Working With Legends and New Music

Before Los Angeles knew him as the hit-making artist behind some of the city’s most undeniable records, TeeFLii was a church kid whose weekends revolved around music. “My whole entire family sings,” he told AD, his voice full of pride. His grandmother led the Clare War Singers, a gospel group that performed at the House of Blues every Sunday. His mother toured with gospel legend James Cleveland, and his younger brother now leads a ministry while recording gospel music. Those roots provided not only technical training but also a spiritual anchor that shaped the man and the artist.

TeeFLii’s musical journey began behind a drum kit at age 12. He soon added keyboard and organ to his repertoire, driven by a natural curiosity and an ear for melody. By the age of 17, he was serving as a music director for his church, a role that taught him leadership and musical arrangement on a professional level. One early career milestone came when he played for Barbra Streisand at the Democratic National Convention, a moment that hinted at the heights his talent could reach. “My pops told me, ‘You put that work in on this music, you can always fall back on it.’ He never lied,” TeeFLii said.

Church life taught him discipline, performance dynamics, and the ability to read an audience. These skills would later become essential in his live shows, where his control over both the sound and the mood of a room set him apart. “It’s always good to give God back the talent that he gave you,” he explained. Even as his subject matter shifted to street narratives and nightlife tales, his faith and church upbringing stayed woven into his identity.

Family remains at the heart of TeeFLii’s career vision. He often speaks about his desire to create a gospel album with his brother as a gift to their mother. “That’s something I definitely want to do for my mom before she leave this earth,” he said. For him, the project would not be a departure from his current path, but rather a return to where it all began, showcasing the versatility and depth that have always been part of his artistry.

The Rise of "Fly and B"

While the industry and many fans label him as an R&B singer, TeeFLii prefers his own term: "Fly and B." The name reflects the balance between smooth melodies and raw, street-informed lyrics that define his style. “R&B is a little too soft for me,” he told AD, grinning. “I’m emotional and sensitive, but I’ll mess you up. I just felt like the way I talk on records… nobody was really doing that before me except maybe Nate Dogg.”

His debut single "This D" made that approach clear. It was bold, direct, and unapologetic, and it resonated with audiences ready for something different. TeeFLii was not only writing and singing these records, he was producing, mixing, and mastering them. “A lot of people don’t even know I do beats the way I do,” he said. One of his productions, originally his own, ended up as a record for The Game after DJ Mustard added drums and his signature tag.

The style caught on quickly. Other singers began adopting the more raunchy, conversational tone that TeeFLii had helped popularize. “I already knew how I wanted to sound,” he said. “Once I brought that to the culture, every R&B singer started talking raunchy.” It was a shift that blurred genre lines, pulling street sensibilities into a space once dominated by love ballads and polished crooning.

His independence and vision have been constants throughout his career. Teaching himself to record and produce gave him freedom to experiment, while staying true to his instincts. “It’s not about proving I can write or produce,” he explained. “Everybody knows I can do that. It’s about making the best record, no matter who helps you get there.” That mindset has kept his sound distinct, even as trends change.

Breakthrough Collaborations and Industry Co-Signs

TeeFLii’s breakout came through his work with Problem on the song "Like Me," a record that opened doors across the city. “That was my breakout,” he said. “We were passing out flowers to the girls, and I was up there going crazy on stage.” The energy he brought to performances, paired with his knack for memorable hooks, made him a sought-after collaborator.

The connection led to his work with DJ Mustard, who provided the beats for "Sprung" and "This D." “I sent both of those back to Mustard in like an hour and a half,” TeeFLii recalled. “Just the hooks at first, then the verses. He told me, ‘You can keep "This D" and give "Sprung" to YG.’” The decision paid off, both records helped define the sound of L.A. in that moment.

Nipsey Hussle was another early believer. The late rapper appeared on multiple tracks in TeeFLii’s "Annie Are You OK?" mixtape series and frequently worked out of his Highland and Hortense studio. “Everybody used to be at my studio, Mike and Keys, DJ Quik,” TeeFLii said. “It felt like the new Death Row.” Nipsey pushed him to appear on his album, even when TeeFLii was deep in party mode. “He was like, ‘I’m on your first album, so you gotta be on mine.’”

Dom Kennedy became another cornerstone collaborator. Their first major session was for "Still Callin'" a song that took three hours to complete. “I told Mike and Keys, ‘I’m not working with this dude again,’” TeeFLii admitted. But the song’s success made him reconsider. “Don’t tell him what I said, but I’ll work with him again,” he laughed. Dom has featured him on nearly every album since, a testament to their mutual respect and chemistry.

L.A.'s Dance Culture and Cultural Footprint

Before the records and the tours, TeeFLii was a fixture in L.A.'s dance culture. He grew up during the heyday of clown dancing and krumping, two movements that exploded beyond the city's borders. He was featured in the documentary Rise, which showcased how these street-born styles were selling out venues and inspiring youth worldwide. “We had battles selling out the Forum,” he said. “Little kids from all over were doing it.”

Dance was more than just movement, it was community. TeeFLii’s time in that world taught him rhythm, performance strategy, and how to command a crowd. “When you hear a beat like that, your feet start to wiggle,” he joked. These skills blended naturally with his church upbringing, giving him a rare combination of technical precision and instinctive showmanship.

His role in connecting the city's dance and music scenes is often overlooked. “Dance was more than just performance, it was a whole culture,” he said. By bridging these spaces, he helped shape a creative ecosystem where music and movement fed each other. That synergy became part of his identity as an artist.

The competitive nature of dance battles also gave him resilience. “It’s competitive, it’s about endurance,” he explained. “You gotta stay sharp.” Those lessons have carried over into his music career, where staying relevant means constantly adapting while keeping your core intact.

The New Wave and Current Projects

After a period of stepping back to focus on life outside of music, TeeFLii has returned with a renewed vision. His recent collaboration with Swifty Blue blended their distinct approaches into a fresh sound for West Coast listeners. “That was a reintroduction,” he said. “I wanted people to know I’m still here, still making fire.” The project’s reception confirmed that his audience had been waiting.

He is also deep into creating a 17-song solo album, intentionally bucking the trend of shorter projects. “I don’t like doing nine or twelve songs,” he explained. “I want to give people the full experience.” The album promises a mix of personal storytelling, club anthems, and smooth records for the ladies, with longtime ally DJ Charisma helping to shape its rollout.

In addition, TeeFLii plans to record a gospel album with his brother as a tribute to their mother. “It’s not about changing lanes,” he said. “It’s about showing the full range of who I am.” For an artist who has moved between genres with ease, this feels like a natural extension of his versatility. These projects represent more than just music, they mark a new chapter in his career. Surrounded by collaborators who have believed in him from the beginning, TeeFLii is ready to reassert himself as one of Los Angeles' most essential voices, bridging the past, present, and future of the city's sound.

Lessons Learned and Personal Growth

TeeFLii is candid about the mistakes that once slowed his momentum. During the "Star" album era, heavy drinking led to missed opportunities and strained relationships. “People didn’t want to deal with you when you were drunk,” he admitted. “You start wondering why you’re not invited to shows, why people don’t come around.” These moments forced him to confront the impact of his behavior.

With encouragement from mentors like DJ Charisma, he began repairing relationships and shifting his mindset. “You gotta smile at these people, talk nice to them,” he said. “This game is about relationships.” Learning to value every interaction has been key to rebuilding his career.

He also recognized the importance of showing love to fans and peers. “I didn’t like taking pictures with fans or DJs back then,” he said. “Now I know you can’t be like that. You gotta show love.”

This personal growth has allowed him to move through the industry with more balance and humility. By combining lessons from his spiritual foundation with the realities of the music business, TeeFLii has created a blueprint for longevity. His story is a reminder that reinvention is possible without losing sight of who you are.

Quiet Influence, Loud Impact

Calling TeeFLii "L.A.'s R&B best kept secret" is not just a catchy line, it is an honest description of his reach and importance. His voice, writing, and production have shaped some of the city’s most memorable records, from Nipsey Hussle collaborations to Dom Kennedy classics. Even when his name is not the one in the spotlight, his influence is woven into the fabric of West Coast music.

He has helped define a style, melodic yet raw, romantic yet streetwise, that many have since adopted. “Once I brought that to the culture, every R&B singer started talking raunchy,” he told AD. The fact that this approach is now part of the mainstream shows how far his creative fingerprint extends.

With new music on the way and a renewed focus, TeeFLii is prepared to reach audiences who may have only heard his influence secondhand. The industry has changed since his breakout, but his creative instincts and voice remain as sharp as ever. If Los Angeles once kept him as its best kept secret, the next chapter may be the one that finally puts his name on the marquee where it belongs.