View source for TeeFlii

{{Short description|American singer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{update|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = TeeFlii
| image             = TeeFlii 2013 (cropped).jpg
| caption           = TeeFlii performing in 2013
| birth_name        = Christian Joel Jones
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1987|7|17}}
| birth_place       = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]
}}
| occupations       = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* rapper
* record producer
* dancer
}}
| years_active      = 2007–present
| label             = {{flatlist|
* Excuse My Liquor
* [[Entertainment One Music|E1]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
}}
{{Infobox person
| child = yes
| children = 6
| website         =
}}
}}
'''Christian Joel Jones''' (born July 17, 1987), better known by his stage name '''TeeFlii''' (stylized as '''TeeFLii'''), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer from [[South Los Angeles]], [[California]]. He is best known for his 2014 single "[[24 Hours (TeeFlii song)|24 Hours]]" (featuring [[2 Chainz]]), which entered the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The song, released by [[Epic Records]], served as the [[lead single]] for his debut studio album ''Starr'' (2015), which failed to chart. Also in 2014, he co-wrote the single "[[Show Me (Kid Ink song)|Show Me]]" for fellow California rapper [[Kid Ink]], which peaked at number 13 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.
== Early life ==
Jones developed an interest in music as a child attending church, drawn to keyboards after seeing how much his grandfather, who was a pastor, paid his [[Organ (instrument)|organ]] players.<ref name="thefader1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/10/03/gen-f-teeflii-interview/#/0 |title=GEN F: TeeFLii |publisher=The Fader |date=October 3, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> Frequenting his grandfather's church, he learned to play multiple instruments, such as the organ, piano, guitar and drums.<ref name="laweekly1">{{cite web|last=Weiss |first=Jeff |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2013-06-13/music/teeflii-rize-fireworks-dj-mustard/ |title=TeeFlii Starred in Rize. Now He's About the Hottest Underground R&B Singer Going {{pipe}} Los Angeles News and Events |publisher=LA Weekly |date=June 13, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> He played drums for [[Barbra Streisand]] at a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] event. Music helped provide stability in his life, as his mother battled drug addiction throughout his childhood, and he did not know his biological father until his teens. Jones began smoking marijuana at age eight and moved out of his parents' place for good at age thirteen.<ref name="laweekly1"/> He described his childhood self by saying, "I was bad—fighting, stealing. I'd go take your bike, bring it to my backyard, spray-paint it, try to ride it around."<ref name="thefader1"/>
As a teenager, Jones began dancing and [[krumping]], performing under the name Baby Tight Eyez, and earned placement in a few early [[Chris Brown]] music videos as well as appearing in a major role in ''[[Rize (film)|Rize]]'', [[David LaChapelle]]'s 2005 documentary about Los Angeles' Krump scene. After the film was released, by the time he was 19, he had been living at various friends' houses, and after having his first daughter he went through an issue with the mother, where he lost visitation rights. He then started writing songs for other people to "get the vent off" and started seeing a better chance at stability in his life, so he pushed himself as an artist.<ref name="thefader1"/>
He created his stage name partially from his experience in the movie "Rize." He says in an interview, "TeeFLii came from dancing. I was in the Rize movie, and my name in the movie was Baby Tight Eyez. I was under somebody in dancing named Tight Eyez, then I wanted to branch off and do my own thing when I started getting older. I wanted to have my own name and something I could say that I did for myself. I grew up under another dude named Flii Stylz who choreographed for Chris Brown, Usher, Omarion, everybody in the game. I took a liking to him and next thing I knew, I just took the name TeeFLii."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/6xaxzr/meet-teeflii-the-ratchet-prince-of-los-angeles-r-n-b|title=Meet TeeFlii, the Ratchet Prince of Los Angeles R&B|last=Capell|first=Frances|date=April 2, 2013|website=Noisey|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>
== Career ==
[[File:NipseyHussle-and-TeeFLii.jpg|thumb|left|200px|TeeFlii ''(left)'' performing with frequent collaborator [[Nipsey Hussle]] in December 2013.]]
Early on his career prior to releasing his first project, TeeFlii collaborated with West Coast-based rappers such as [[Problem (rapper)|Problem]], [[YG (rapper)|YG]], [[Nipsey Hussle]] and [[Skeme]].<ref name="laweekly1"/> His debut mixtape ''AnNieRuO'TAY 1'' was released on November 21, 2012. It featured collaborations with Skeme, Problem, [[Bad Lucc]], and Nipsey Hussle among others.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dell |url=http://freeonsmash.com/music/tee-flii-annieruotay-1-mixtape/ |title=Tee Flii – AnNieRuO'TAy 1 [Mixtape] {{pipe}} OnSMASH |publisher=Freeonsmash.com |date=December 1, 2012 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> ''AnNieRuO'TAY 1'' was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2013_04_annieruotay.html |title=TeeFlii :: AnnieRUO'Tay :: TeeFlii.com |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=April 30, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> His second official mixtape ''AnNieRuO'TAY 2: The TakeOver'' was released on March 5, 2013.<ref name="thefader2">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/03/06/download-teefliis-annieruotay-2-mixtape/ |title=Download TeeFLii's AnnieRUO'TAY 2 Mixtape |publisher=The Fader |date=March 6, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> It featured production by [[DJ Mustard]], [[1500 or Nothin']] and TeeFlii himself. At the same time he was recording his next mixtape, a project entirely produced by DJ Mustard to be released soon.<ref name="thefader2"/> He also indicated that he was working on a project with Nipsey Hussle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/meet-teeflii-the-ratchet-prince-of-los-angeles-r-n-b |title=Meet TeeFlii, the Ratchet Prince of Los Angeles R&B {{pipe}} NOISEY |publisher=Noisey.vice.com |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> ''AnNieRuO'TAY 2'' was met with mainstream coverage from publications such as ''[[Chicago Reader]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Galil |first=Leor |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/06/19/take-a-break-from-all-this-kanye-and-jay-z-talk-with-teeflii |title=Take a break from all this Kanye and Jay-Z talk with TeeFlii {{pipe}} Bleader |publisher=Chicago Reader |date=June 17, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/03/07/tee-flii-channels-the-dream-on-new-mixtape-annieruotay2/ |title=Tee Flii channels The-Dream on new mixtape AnnieRUO'TAY2 – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music |publisher=Factmag.com |date=March 7, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> among others.
On July 4, 2013, TeeFlii released his third mixtape in eight months, the DJ Mustard-produced ''Fireworks''. It featured collaborations with [[Dom Kennedy]], [[Casey Veggies]], [[Ty Dolla Sign]], [[Omarion]] and [[E-40]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/dj-mustard-teeflii-fireworks-mixtape |title=DJ Mustard, TeeFLii "Fireworks" Mixtape |publisher=Complex |date=July 4, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> The mixtape would receive positive reviews upon release, [[Stereogum]] would end up naming it the "Mixtape of the Week".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1403182/mixtape-of-the-week-teeflii-dj-mustard-fireworks/franchises/mixtape-of-the-week/ |title=Mixtape of the Week: TeeFLii & DJ Mustard Fireworks |publisher=Stereogum |date= July 10, 2013|accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' also would name it the fourth best mixtape of 2013. They said, "Where Mustard's beats normally evoke a strip club's booty-whomp, here he pushes himself, brilliantly, towards R&B smoothness."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-best-mixtapes-of-2013-20131209/dj-mustard-teeflii-fireworks-19691231 |title=10 Best Mixtapes of 2013: DJ Mustard TeeFlii, 'Fireworks' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date= |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> On July 16, 2013, the music video for "[[This D]]" was premiered by ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]''.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/heres-the-new-video-for-teefliis-this-d |title=Here's the New Video for TeeFlii's "This D" {{pipe}} NOISEY |publisher=Noisey.vice.com |date=July 16, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> In August 2013, TeeFlii signed to [[Epic Records]] after being actively persuaded by label executive [[L.A. Reid]].<ref name="thefader1"/> Then on October 2, 2013, "This D" was released as his debut single.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The following day, he released the remix to "This D", featuring [[Jadakiss]] and [[Tyga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/10/03/download-teeflii-this-dick-remix-tyga-jadakiss-mp3/ |title=TeeFLii f. Tyga and Jadakiss, "This D (Remix)" MP3 |publisher=The Fader |date=October 3, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> After "This D" received major radio rotation in Los Angeles, he got a major co-sign from rapper [[Snoop Dogg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/the-break/2013/10/the-break-presents-teeflii/ |title=The Break Presents: TeeFlii – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=October 21, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> The song would peak at number 35 on the US ''Billboard'' [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f=ts_chart_artistname:*Teeflii*&f=ss_bb_type:chart_item&type=2&artist=Teeflii|title=Chart Search – Billboard|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref>
In October 2013, ''[[LA Weekly]]'' named TeeFlii the best R&B singer in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/bestof/2013/award/best-randb-singer-2223146/ |title=Los Angeles Best R&B Singer {{pipe}} Arts & Entertainment {{pipe}} Los Angeles News and Events |publisher=LA Weekly |date=October 3, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> On November 25, 2013, he released his fourth mixtape ''AnnieRUO'TAY 3: Who The Fuck Is Annie?''. The seventeen track mixtape featured a collaboration with Dom Kennedy and production by [[The Futuristiks]] and himself, among others.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ju |first=Shirley |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26401/title.teeflii-annieruo-tay-3-who-the-fuck-is-annie-cover-art-tracklisting-download-mixtape-stream |title=TeeFlii "ANNIERUO'TAY 3: Who The Fuck Is Annie?" Cover Art, Tracklisting, Download & Mixtape Stream {{pipe}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=November 25, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Trent Clark |url=http://hiphopwired.com/2013/11/27/teeflii-annieruotay-3-mixtape-listen-download/ |title=TeeFlii – AnnieRUOTAY 3 Mixtape |publisher=Hiphopwired.com |date=November 27, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> On December 9, 2013, "That's How We Livin'" a collaboration with Snoop Dogg and [[Warren G]] was released. It was then included on Snoop's mixtape ''That's My Work Vol. 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/teeflii-snoop-dogg-warren-g-thats-how-we-livin |title=TeeFlii f/ Snoop Dogg & Warren G "That's How We Livin'" |publisher=Complex |date=December 9, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref>
On March 26, 2014, TeeFlii premiered his second official single "[[24 Hours (TeeFlii song)|24 Hours]]" featuring [[2 Chainz]], with production by DJ Mustard. Along with its release, it was announced that TeeFlii's debut studio album would be titled ''Starr'' and released during mid-2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/premiere-teeflii-feat-2-chainz-24-hours|title=Premiere: TeeFlii feat. 2 Chainz – "24 Hours"|date=March 26, 2014|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref> "24 Hours" was serviced to [[urban contemporary]] radio in the United States on April 7, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|title=Urban/UAC Future Releases – R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates – ...|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref> and then was serviced to [[rhythmic contemporary]] radio on May 6, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases|title=Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases – R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates – ...|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The track peaked at number 85 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] and served as a bonus track on ''Starr''.
On August 27, 2021, TeeFlii released his EP, "Today", which included his new single "Automatic" produced by Grammy Award Winning Producer [[Los Da Mystro]].
And on the 8th of July 2023 he released the Album "TruFlii" with the artist [https://open.spotify.com/artist/70LeECrcNFIOvGZqe8byzQ?si=milJdH9eTnWxhBb7XwJ3PQ Tru Carr].
== Personal life ==
TeeFlii's invocations of his faith are frequent as he believes in Christianity.  His grandmother was a gospel singer and his aunt harmonized for [[Elvis Presley]]'s backup group, [[The Sweet Inspirations]].<ref name="laweekly1"/> His grandmother is the one that taught him the most about singing.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montes |first=Patrick |url=http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2013/08/teeflii_flynb_dub_show_ratchetness.php |title=TeeFLii Turned R&B Into "Fly'n'B" With a Little Bit Of Ratchetness |publisher=Blogs.ocweekly.com |date=August 9, 2013 |accessdate=January 13, 2014}}</ref> He has five children; four daughters, and one son.<ref name="laweekly1"/>
==Discography==
=== Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of albums, with selected chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard 200|US]]
! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US R&B/HH]]
! scope="col" style="width:2.2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Top R&B Singles|US<br>Rap]]
|-
! scope="row" | ''Starr''
|
* Released: February 3, 2015
* Label: Excuse My Liquor, [[Epic Records]]
* Format: CD, digital download
| — || 42 || —
|-
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.
|}
===Mixtapes===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of mixtapes
! scope="col" style="width:16.5em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Album details
|-
! scope="row"| ''AnNieRuO'TAY 1''
|
*Released: November 21, 2012
*Hosted by DJ Goofy
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''AnNieRuO'TAY 2: The TakeOver''
|
*Released: March 7, 2013
*Hosted by DJ Carisma & DJ Mustard
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''Fireworks''
|
*Released: July 4, 2013
*Produced by DJ Mustard
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''AnNieRuO'TAY 3: Who The Fuck Is Annie''
|
*Released: November 21, 2013
*Hosted by DJ Carisma
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''AnnieRuO'TAY 4''
|
*Released: June 30, 2015
*Hosted by DJ Carisma
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"| ''AnnieRUO'TAY 5 (What Happened To TeeFLii?)''
|
*Released: June 30, 2016
*Hosted by DJ Carisma
*Format: Digital download
|-
! scope="row"|'' Next Level''<small> (with [[Jermaine Dupri]])</small>
|
*Released: May 30, 2018
*Hosted by [[Jermaine Dupri]] and So So Def
*Format: Digital<ref>{{cite web|author=Cory McClanahan |url=http://global14.com/2018/05/teeflii-teeflii-jermaine-dupri-jermainedupri-next-level/ |title=TeeFLii (@teeflii) & Jermaine Dupri (@JermaineDupri) - Next Level |website=Global14.com |date=May 30, 2018 |accessdate=2020-04-15}}</ref>
|}
=== Singles ===
==== As lead artist ====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br>R&B/HH]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot Rap Songs|US<br>Rap]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Rhythmic (chart)|US<br>Rhy.]]
|-
! scope="row" | "[[This D]]"
| 2013
| — || — || — || 35
| {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row" | "[[24 Hours (TeeFlii song)|24 Hours]]"<br>{{small|(featuring [[2 Chainz]])}}
| rowspan="3"|2014
| 85 || 21 || 15 || 8
| rowspan="3"| ''Starr''
|-
! scope="row" | "Change Your World"
| — || — || — || —
|-
! scope="row" | "Blue Lipstick"<br><span style="font-size:85%;">(featuring [[Chris Brown]])</span>
| — || — || — || —
|-
| colspan="7" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}
==== As featured artist ====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of featured singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br>R&B/HH]]
!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Top R&B Singles|US<br>Rap]]
|-
! scope="row" | "Still Callin'"<br>{{small|([[Dom Kennedy]] featuring TeeFlii)}}
| rowspan="2"|2014
| — || — || —
| ''[[Get Home Safely]]''
|-
! scope="row" | "Do It to Ya"<br>{{small|([[YG (rapper)|YG]] featuring TeeFlii)}}
| — || — || —
| ''[[My Krazy Life]]''
|-
| colspan="6" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}
===Guest appearances===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" style="width:12em;"| Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Other performer(s)
! scope="col" | Album
|-
! scope="row"| "Like Me"
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| [[Problem (rapper)|Problem]]
| ''Welcome To Mollywood 2''
|-
! scope="row"| "Hollywood"
| [[DJ Quik]],
| ''Hollywood''
|-
! scope="row"| "Fuck That Nigga"
| rowspan="5"| 2013
| DJ Mustard, [[Ty Dolla Sign]], Constantine, [[Tory Lanez]]
| ''Ketchup''
|-
! scope="row"| "Hate It or Love It"
| [[Nipsey Hussle]]
| ''[[Crenshaw (mixtape)|Crenshaw]]''
|-
! scope="row"| "Sprung"
| [[YG (rapper)|YG]]
| ''Just Re'd Up 2''
|-
! scope="row"| "Get It"
| [[Pu$haz Ink|RJ]]
| ''O.M.M.I.O''
|-
! scope="row"| "That's How We Livin"
| [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Warren G]]
| ''I Got That Work Vol. 3''
|-
! scope="row"| "Favorite Position"
| rowspan="4"|2014
| Boxxx
| ''XTC''
|-
! scope="row"| "Where The Party At"
| Slim 400
| ''Keepin' It 400''
|-
! scope="row"| "Deep"
| DJ Mustard, [[Rick Ross]], [[Wiz Khalifa]]
| ''[[10 Summers]]''
|-
! scope="row"| "Valet"
| [[Eric Bellinger]], [[Pleasure P]]
| ''Choose Up Season''
|-
! scope="row"| "Neva Met"
|2015
| [[Rick Rock]], Snoop Dogg
| ''Rocket''
|-
! scope="row"| "Pimpin' Ain't Easy"
| rowspan="3"|2016
| Problem, [[Kevin McCall]]
| ''Hotels 2: The Master Suite''
|-
! scope="row"| "Proper"
| [[Rayven Justice]], Kool John
| ''Do It Justice 2''
|-
! scope="row"| "Reconsider"
| Furious, [[Clyde Carson]]
| ''Journey Home''
|-
! scope="row"| "Busy Body"
| rowspan="3"|2018
| [[Berner (rapper)|Berner]], [[E-40]], [[Too Short]]
| ''The Big Pescado''
|-
! scope="row"| "Keyz to the City"
| Nipsey Hussle
| ''[[Victory Lap (Nipsey Hussle album)|Victory Lap]]''
|-
! scope="row"| "Blue Apts"
| King Lil G
| ''Paint the City Blue''
|-
! scope="row"| "Secret Lovers"
| rowspan="1"| 2019
| [[Rayven Justice]], Clyde Carson
| ''ESO''
|-
! scope="row"| "Never Fold Intermission"
| rowspan="1"| 2021
| [[Dom Kennedy]]
| ''[[From the Westside with Love Three]]''
|-
|}
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American contemporary R&B singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Record producers from California]]
[[Category:21st-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Epic Records artists]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]