My Moment

My Moment

When Tee Grizzley was released after three years in prison, he had several albums’ worth of lyrics and a determination never to return to a cell. He decided that, instead of burglarizing school dorms and jewelry stores, which was what got him locked up in the first place, he would make a living from music—and “First Day Out” is just the shot he needed to make that a reality. Recorded shortly after his discharge, the song captured both the euphoric gratitude of his newfound freedom and the cockiness of his return to the street. The video garnered more than 3 million views in two weeks and landed him a deal with 300 Entertainment, and Tee carries the same urgency into My Moment, his debut mixtape that made him a star and gave a national platform for a new brand of Detroit hip-hop. “First Day Out” was Tee’s introduction to the rap game and represented the proliferation of longtime Detroit producer Helluva’s self-described “basement sound.” Helluva’s mix of menacing keys and ghastly synths paired perfectly with Tee’s breathless, off-the-margins flow, a Detroit-honed rap style that had begun to gain traction in the mid-2010s. The duo showcase their chemistry on much of My Moment, with Helluva producing over half of the album’s 13 tracks. Tee raps confidently and dexterously on boastful cuts like “No Effort” and “10K,” name-dropping hometown staples like Cartier Buff glasses while laughing about snatching women (described with melodic mischief on “Side N***a”). The bombast is earned from what he's had to persevere through: “Real N****s” bemoans the betrayal and isolation he felt when receiving his prison sentence; “Secrets” expresses remorse for unmentionables with dire consequences; and “Day Ones” eulogizes longtime friends lost to early deaths or longer sentences. Tee Grizzley has confidence, personality, focus, and a story to tell—however long his moment lasts, his debut mixtape declares, he’ll make the most of it.

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