Ti Steele.
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The Opener is The FADER’s mini-interview series with exciting new artists we think you should know.
Ti Steele has an unforgettable voice. Despite her pint-size appearance, the Illinois-via-LA singer has serious pipes, and a deft flow to match. Steele jumped onto my radar this February thanks to her breakout appearances on wonderful, the latest album by FADER coverstar skaiwater. Her powerhouse vocals buttressed standouts “as above so below” and “midsommar,” expanding skaiwater’s cinematic palette and injecting a needed dose of soul into the album.
But it’s Steele’s solo output that makes the totally independent artist – she doesn’t even have a manager – one to watch, from her 2024 album 7 to more recent singles “ROKU CITY” and “MS. UNDERSTOOD.” Ti’s omnivorous approach metabolizes everything from soul to rap to garage, but her dulcet tones and charmingly down-to-earth bars keep her music grounded and intimate no matter the style. When I saw her in New York City a few weeks ago, Steele told me she was in the finishing stages of her next album DooMBAP*', and that she was feeling especially assured in her creative process and output lately.
The FADER caught up with Ti Steele over email for her thoughts on The Odyssey, being a long-time fan of Smino and Monte Booker, and the $100-or-less tour essential she never leaves home without.
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The FADER: What’s the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
Ti Steele: coolest thing to do in my hometown? uhhh, idk maybe smoke shitty dispensary weed in the car and then go to lil porgy's?? a nice spot to feel small while holding a MASSIVE lemon shake up? or if it's summer, go to the champaign county country fair. you better off not being in my hometown.
Tell us about the first album you bought.
First album I remember buying was As I Am by Alicia Keys, but on iTunes, I think. I DO vividly remember buying the High School Musical 2 soundtrack because Kenny Ortega??? HUHHHH!!! I didn't buy many CDs of my own but my mom had an amazing iTunes library full of illegal bangers and rightfully bought ones... I really liked Michael Buble, Evanescence... complete polar opposites, I know-- but. trust me, I had a vision. I asked my mom to send me a list of the ones that went platinum for me, and she said the following were in a middle school playlist: “John” by Lil Wayne, “N***as In Paris” … “Stay” by Tyrese... “I Need You” Alicia Keys... placed right next to Sleeping With Sirens and Panic! At The Disco. I don't make the rules! Just press save!
Show us the last meme you saved to your phone:
only thing I gotta say? #real.
What’s a motto you think everyone should live by?
"to get some shit you never had, you gotta do some shit you never done."
What was the last movie you watched?
I recently went to go see The Odyssey with my homies in the LES while I was hiding away in New York. Holy shit, what a cast????? I usually can't take period pieces seriously because I used to act and it's like, “bro,. that’s not a Greek n***a bro, that's Tom Holland and Travis Scott.” That's like, undeniably Anne Hathaway. It's hard to IGNORE. But the CYCLOPS???? stfuuuu broooo. Also, went in the theatre at 10:30 and left at 1:40 a.m. Actually blasphemous behavior. Really enjoyed running to catch the last trains w my boy Meli tho. :3 4/10
When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
I'm usually in the sun somewhere doing various activities like stretch my bones, phone a friend and beat a dead horse, work on launching my clothing brand... but most importantly, no matter the setting, I'm always listening to a lot of music and curating playlists for SEV'N RADiO's relaunch, or enjoying metaphysical lectures and literature. I love learning about transcendental meditation and people's experience in this life across the board. How they cope. That way I know I'm not fucking crazy lol.
Tell us about your favorite tattoo.
Favorite tattoo right now is this shit on my arm that looks like a cross but is actually made out of headphones/earbuds and a media player at the center. I got it done in the back of the Glo Shop on some random afternoon.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
My old history teacher Mr. Foley told me, "it's only doors," and since then, I've been gliding through door frames I thought I'd have to squeeze my way through. I always say it to myself when I need to remember I have balls. Not literally, but you'll never know if the door is locked if you don't try the knob, right?
What’s a song you’d want to remix?
fawkkkkk I'd love to remix "stick" by quannnic feat. kmoe, or maybe “idiot” by kmoe. really into that guy right now. idk how I'd mix it. but I'd try.
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What’s the ideal level of fame and why?
My ideal level of fame is like.... Smino level. Known but not TOOOOOO known. Goated. Respected. Private. I've been listening to him since I was a freshman in high school-- him and Monte both got me into some whoooole other shit. I assumed they were way bigger until I followed them both on social media years later after beating the songs to death, and was genuinely surprised niggas weren't hip to blkjuptr when I was. I used to sneak listen to it when I worked at Journey's Kidz--- I'd volunteer to do inventory just to fuck off and listen to Kolors.
Describe your perfect afternoon.
being left the fuck alone (but not TOO alone, yfm) sitting in half shade/half sun with a JBL speaker lingering... body of water nearby? oh, and with my phone deep in my bag. low cortisol activities for a girlie like me at a time like this.
Describe the best concert you’ve attended.
oh my GOOOOD. Puma Blue live in Los Angeles -- November 3rd, 2023. Harvey Dweller opened for him, who's a member of the live band, and HOLY SHIT? Actually insane, I believe he was playing an instrument and DJ'ing simultaneously? And then when Puma's set started, there was this radio interference happening that overlapped the current happenings in Gaza with the music and it was truly profound. My mother was with me, and a guy I wound up seeing for a while, and subsequently ended up making a lot of music about, happened to be at that same show, just a few rows away from us, on some red string theory shit. I stood right behind the lighting booth, it was so sick. One of the best shows I've ever seen in my life. I wish I took more videos but I cried in real time over how sweet it all was. the room, and my heart, were incredibly full.
What’s the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
I still do. in more ways than one!
What’s the best thing you’ve bought for $100 or less?
Best thing I bought for less than $100 out of my recent purchases? I'd say my Lumix digicam, copped for $60 at a little thrift store in DTLA a few days before I left for tour with skaiwater because I was fond of carrying my Pentax 80e but genuinely couldn't reason with the idea of the only camera I bring on tour being film???? lol. I use it almost everyday now. Follow @honeybbqbonelesswing on Instagram if you wanna see the raw unedited exports from the SD card on there. It's one of my favorite things to keep up with.
What’s something you’re looking forward to?
I'm really looking forward to whatever this new chapter looks like for me. I'm finishing up my upcoming album, DooMBAP*' and all the while, changing a LOTTTT internally. it hurts sometimes, but doesn't a caterpillar ache into butterfly-ism? I don't imagine that feels good either. buuuut, yeah. just walking into the unknown, I guess.
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