Exposed Vocals just sat down with R&B artist Témi

Témi (Pronounced TayMe) an R&B artist. Born in Nigeria, raised in Toronto and expanded into the United States market. Looking up to his older brothers at an early age and the music of Baby Face, Témi fell in love with music. At age 5, Témi moved to Toronto where he met other talented friends who were interested in music. He started to enter talent shows and contests to show off his talent. As he grew older he started to hear more and more Canadian and American soul music and knew this was his destiny.

Working solo for many years, Témi met some friends and they started a group called, Untitl3d. Témi, formerly Intro, still having his dream of stardom set his solo career to the side and worked on his music with his new group members. As Untitl3d, he and the group traveled to Atlanta, GA and were signed and recognized by celebrity rapper Ludacris’ label Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) and Def Jam. With his former group, Témi has hit the stages of BET’s 106 N Park and featured with rapper Ludacris on MTV Jams. Signed to DTP he and the group continued their goals for about 5 years then the group decided to part ways.

Témi did not stop his dreams and continued to follow his solo career from Atlanta to Toronto . He won the 2017 African Entertainment Award for ‘Best Breakout Artist of the Year” and Nominated as Breakout Canadian Musician” for Notable Awards in 2018. My hope is that people will relate to my music in a way that helps them find healing. At the end of it all, if I can inspire, encourage, and leave a positive impression…that’s what matters the most on this journey.”

Témi first solo EP, “Intro II A New Beginning” was released on November 11, 2014. Singles released include: “Brick by Brick” (March 24, 2015); “Fire” (July 22, 2014); “Alright” (January 15, 2015); “Love It” (July 9, 2015.); “Tough Love” (May 17, 2016); “Lock & Key” (September 2016); “Follow You” (April 2017); “Where Your Heart Is” (May 2018); “Dynamite” (July 2018); “I’ll Be Waiting” (March 2019); Motivation (April 2019)

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Témi: I was born in Nigeria, but raised in Toronto, Ontario. I first fell in love with R&B at the age of 5. Listening to my older brothers play artists like Dru Hill, Baby Face and Jon B gave me an appreciation for big voices and beautiful harmonies/melodies. I later connected with some friends of mine in school and we formed an R&B group during our high school years and that’s when things got serious.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Témi: Perform at everything. There is no venue too big or too small. You never know who is in that small shack or who isn’t in that stadium so when you get on stage kill it like it’s your last and more opportunities will come.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Témi: Hell ya I do, I’m human! I have forgotten words, miss notes all of the above. I think that’s something that everyone does even at a professional level. The best way to handle it, is to not handle it at all. Move pass it and continue with the performance. Most times the audience doesn’t notice and if they did, make a joke about it and move on. People love when you can make fun of yourself.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Témi: Yes, I’ve been on the road and that’s actually my favorite part of this entire music game. I love connecting with fans, however, I think that might lead me to a crazy story. When I was touring and leaving a venue we had a truck with lights off following us in the middle of nowhere of North Carolina. We later found out after a few blocks that it was just a car full of female fans that were trying to find out what we were doing after the performance and were interested in meeting up.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Témi: I’m such an audio tech nerd, but I think I’ve gotten my studio almost where I want it at this point minus a few things. I’m working off the UAD Appollo and the Neumann TLM microphone. I’m running that through Protools. I think my next purchase is a de esser, but for now I’m very happy with the quality of the music I’m making.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Témi: Be everywhere, talk to everyone and sing whenever the opportunity comes. The more you engage with people, the more they engage with you. There is no one way to promote yourself, but the more you do the more they will know you. You need a budget. Unfortunately the game is pay to play in many ways and without a proper marketing budget to promote any “product” it’s not going to get as much shine.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Témi: If I could perform with anyone it would either be Tank, Drake or Kanye West.  I respect each of their artistry in different ways and I think I would stand to learn a lot from going on the road with any of them.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Témi: The next thing I’m working on now is my new album tentatively called “My Way.” I feel like I’ve always let someone assist and/or dictate my career.  Now with such an industry that artists have so much control I’m finally in a place where I’m doing it all for the love. I think that’s the best place that music comes from.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Témi: I’d be doing what I’m doing now which is assisting underprivileged youth create music and fulfill their dreams. I work for the City of Toronto Youth Spaces and I am the Director of a city wide Artist Development Program, which helps Toronto youth artists realize their dreams. I help them record songs, shoot videos and much more. If I wasn’t singing, I’d be working for an organization helping other artists or managing probably. I want the fans to just be ready to get more and more music from me. I’m turning on the tap and letting go of a lot of music that I’ve been holding onto and I’m very excited to share it with y’all.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

A
Témi: I wanna shout out my family, God/ the creator and my team who always has my back through all the BS and pushes me to be a better artist daily.