Teyter Tot Brings Her Fierce Bay Area Energy to a City Near You

This week’s Uproxx Music 20 column highlights rapper Teyter Tot from the West Coast. The Oakland native has a project and several singles to her name, and she really caught my eye with a couple of freestyles on her Instagram. The first freestyle is from a few months ago with the platform In The Kitchen With H-Dot, and the other one is with Hotel Freestyles. In both, Teyter Tot showcased fierce attitude and impressive, bold lyrics over bass-heavy beats.

Teyter Tot’s music somewhat resembles Rico Nasty’s, but with a distinct Bay Area flair. Her latest project, Different Breed, came out in 2022. While she hasn’t released a record in 2024 yet, she’s been teasing new singles. The future looks bright for this Oakland-bred rapper. To explore her music, start with Different Breed’s highlights like “Act Right” and “Wait” or check out her 2023 singles “Angel” and “Choose Up.”

With much more to come from Teyter Tot, below, she shares insights into her artistry, inspiration, and influences.

What is your earliest memory of music?

Music has always been a part of my life. My mom tells me that when I was just a few months old, she would play Mary J. Blige, and I would sit up and bounce to the beat.

Who inspired you to take music seriously?

My mother. She always told me to do everything fully and encouraged me to finish what I started. She exposed me to a lot of art as a child, so I developed a taste for culture early on.

Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?

Yes, I can play the piano and drums. Although I’ve forgotten how to read music, I’m confident I could pick it up again with a month of study. I’d also love to learn how to play the bass guitar.

What was your first job?

Chipotle. I hated it.

What is your most prized possession?

My mind.

What is your biggest fear?

Not trying or being so caught up in shame-based fear that I don’t have space to grow.

Who is on your R&B/rap/afrobeats Mt. Rushmore?

The Pharcyde, Lil Wayne, Ladybug Mecca from Digable Planets, and Lauryn Hill.

You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!

Probably walking around naked with a lot of jewelry on, eating berries in a tea garden in Japan. Then I’d swim in a stream and smoke a blunt in a country where it’s probably illegal.

What are your three most used emojis?

😂, 💔, 😈.

What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?

Sahbabii, Young Thug, and Veeze.

If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?

Catch me on the next season of Euphoria.

Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality and why?

Rihanna. She’s a boss and she’s that girl.

Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.

Too many people tie their value to their monetary contributions, which diminishes self-esteem and makes life harder.

What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life and what do you love about it?

Maybe Sade’s “Smooth Operator” because it’s smooth and exudes a player vibe. It’s an immersive experience every time I listen to it.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?

My favorite city to perform in is Los Angeles; they show me a lot of love. I’m looking forward to performing in London or Tokyo someday.

You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.

Rihanna, Future, Sade, 03 Greedo, and Veeze.

What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?

Probably in school for psychology or sociology, focusing on political justice work, which I do now but would fully commit to it.

If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?

Probably the past to give myself advice. I don’t really want to know my future. I just want to live life.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Don’t date. Focus on how to secure the bag, protect yourself, and prioritize your rest. Don’t compromise your comfort for others.

It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

Authentic. Real. Game for hustlers and women.