Microphone menace: TeeZandos takes time out to talk with Stanisland Magazine about all things music, flair, and high heels
TeeZandos is ripping through the scene like a lightning-powered tornado. Her flow, wordplay, and execution are a product of a sound hardwired into her. Buoyed by a game plan leading to the fiery elocution you hear before you, it’s hard not to consider her as your favourite.
There’s something different about Zandos; throwing down a Molotov cocktail of phonetic articulation has made her a different kettle — one that steams and growls with effortless finesse.
Some of her notable tracks include Dumb Dumb, Old Me, and ABC, highlighting an upward trajectory for a laudable body of work. What goes up must come down? Well, Tee is only willing to land ice-cold bars. Driven by her own momentum and an incredible gift, she’s going places.
RELATED STORY: Teezandos X P3Lz Destroy Genre on Startling New Feast: ‘ABC’
The UK rapper’s intense delivery will make any spitter think twice. Her flow is cold, calculated — and there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into the finished article. From her prosodic ideations to her performative diction, there’s a frame on every word choice.
What’s the origin of your artist name, and what inspired the capitalisation of the Z?
“The origin of my artist name came from a friend, but it basically means money, hard work, that’s me.”
ABC is a hurricane tune; you and P3Lz smash it. How did the collaboration happen?
“I loved working with P. She’s so awesome, I hit her up for that collaboration. I’m so big on hard female rappers, I’d collab with them all if they were up to my standard. (No shade). She (P3Lz) was perfect for ABC.
How did you decide on which genre of rap to pursue?
“I didn’t really choose a genre; I was just making music about my life and still am. I’ve been a singer, been a rapper, I just go as my life does — music is my diary…realistically, you know what’s going on in real time, all the time, as long as I’m releasing.”
Outside of music, what inspires you to create?
“The world inspires me to create; so much goes on, and realistically, whether it be good or bad, it’s nice to vocalise it. I was big on creating music outside of it, because women go through the same things men do, gender equality and that loool. It’s really real out here. Plus, I knew I’d make an impact no matter what I did, so I inspired myself.
In our opinion, you’re light-years ahead of other artists. What do you think persuaded your style of wordplay and execution?
“When I was younger, I used to listen to Chip a lot, J Hus and Mostack; they had me charged up. I love how they value word usage and make the small things sound major — believe it or not, they definitely play a huge part in my musical style.
Many people say I’m the female PS. His attitude and flow are nice — it gets me going and wanting to write. Funnily enough, I don’t listen to him that much; wordplay and other execution are all down to me, hence why I can create anything.”
When you’ve finished writing, who do you show (or who hears it) first and why?
“I don’t show anyone anything when I finish writing, especially if I’m indoors — that’s wild! The only person who hears something first-hand in the studio is Scratch.”
I’m told you’re working on an album. What can you tell us about it?
“I can tell you that I am working on an album, I have producers on there like Jonny Beats, HL8 and Young Chencs. So many different sounds and energies brought to life — it’s going to be mad!!”
Are there songs/verses you hold back due to timing?
“I’m not holding anything back, maybe a couple of freestyles, but that’s due to not having the right platforms to release them on.”
What’s one non-music part of the industry you enjoy?
“The only non-music part of the industry I like, is the parts where I get dolled up, haha. I love acting, role play, theatre, and dance.”
What’s one thing you wish would just f**k off and why?
“Haters, go away and never come again — please and thank you. I wish the disrespect for music in this day and age would go away. I miss when people made bodies of work…not those 50-second songs that have a longevity of a month until the next 50 seconds comes through again.”
What’s your current hot-take?
“My current hot take is women should wear heels all over, wherever; I’m due to start, don’t play.”
Each one of your tracks serves a different vibe. Will this diversity of sound continue?
“My diversity will never die, and it will always continue, it’s my favourite thing about myself, and it spreads out to people who may not like my more aggressive stuff, so it’s a win-win.”
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