Tyleen - Class of 2020
What's your background?
I was born in Montreal but I’m of Scotian, native and bajan heritage.
How would you describe your craft?
I’m a strong beautiful smart outgoing girl that doesn’t settle and goes after everything she wants! I think it shows in my lyrics... I don’t really have a style, I just do me!
What inspires you in our rap scene here in Montreal?
Not much to be honest, I don’t have someone to look up to because no one has yet done what I dream of doing. I know I have inspired other females from here and that’s all that I really want to do.
What mindset are you in when you are making music?
Depends, if I’m home I like to write in my bedroom just super isolated until I have something good. Then, I’ll make my whole house hear it, they give me the best feedback. If I’m at the studio, I’ll just vibe out to a bunch of beats and just let the beats talk to me. I feel like I can write anywhere at any time, I just like to write.
What’s your daily routine?
My schedule is me trying to juggle work, music and school and I’m not the most organized or punctual type of person. I don’t like to sit around doing nothing for too long so being busy is good. I don’t have much time for social gatherings but it forces you to stay focused and that’s the most important thing for me. I have a few accomplishments I’m proud of but I also have big goals for the years or even months to come.
What artists inspire you at the moment?
TI don’t have one, I feel like it’s a bit obsessive to only have one. I’m inspired by many people, anyone who is breaking barriers and overcoming the odds. That can be anyone, but still I try to just focus on myself and my goals and the things I’ve overcome, that’s what truly inspires me everyday.
Your music resonates a lot with younger girls, how do you explain that?
I just couldn’t be more grateful for all my supporters! I do have a large amount of male listeners, maybe even more than female listeners actually, but I feel like the girls that do rock with me are real bosses in real life on and off social media. They are confident enough to not have to tear down another girl for being pretty and doing her thing. I love it. It's almost like a real girl power thing every time I meet or talk to my fans.
What would you say to the people who have a problem with your message and image?
It’s interesting because I feel like people confuse what a real feminist is, they paint this picture of an ideal feminist in their head, but I don’t care! I know I support all women, I’m a strong believer that a woman can do any job just as good or better. I constantly encourage all the females to demand and hold their ground for what they want and what they deserve is nothing less. It really shouldn’t be a question, especially not in 2020. I won’t get too deep about how I feel on it, I could go on forever. All I have to say is I AM A WOMAN and another woman’s pain, struggle and fight is my fight too. If I don’t fit the standards for an ideal feminist, I’m not one? LOL, I’m all for women empowerment. We really run the world.
What’s coming for you?
I can’t say... but I’m working hard, no days off, just trying to do the “impossible” and making my family proud. I have a lot of big goals and I’m just taking it one step at a time. I know I have a bright future ahead of me, so I try not to stress. I’m just happy to be doing what I love as far as releases, I have my music video “ PULL UP “ coming soon and a new single so you guys will just have to stay posted and keep tuning in and streaming because every win for me is a win for the city.