Exclusive Interview with 'UNCLE T'

Philadelphia-based Uncle T is a female, queer rapper and singer. She began in the Minneapolis hip hop community in 2017. Her style has shifted from hip-hop to R&B over time, but it is still heavily influenced by hip-hop. She moved from Minneapolis to Philadelphia recently and is now immersing herself in the city’s renowned, thriving music scene. A project and consistent new singles are coming in 2022. Check out her latest music video ‘Lose My Way’ and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
UNCLE T: Sure! I’m originally from Minneapolis but am now residing in Philly. I like to think of myself as a “late bloomer” when it comes to my music career. I wrote my first song and did my first open mic in May of 2017. I’ve been making music and performing ever since! I focused on rap for the first few years, but I’ve been primarily singing for the last 2 years.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
UNCLE T: Mostly self-taught up until this past year when I started taking vocal lessons with an amazing Philly singer/performer named Gabrielle Chapman. She is an incredible teacher, and I am really finding my voice in ways I didn’t think possible! In the earlier years, I was lucky to have some really good experiences right off the bat that helped me learn and grow. About 8 months into my music career, I was offered the opportunity to host/curate a monthly Hip Hop show in Minnesota which I titled “Local Dope Shit.” This enabled me to perform consistently and also helped me network with other artists by offering the opportunity to perform. It wasn’t long until I was playing shows many times a month. This had a huge impact on shaping me early on.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘UNCLE T’?

UNCLE T: Man, it’s really hard to say who my first musical influences were. The first artists that comes to mind are Tribe Called Quest, Nujabes, Pharcyde, Outkast or even Usher. All of those artists played a big part in shaping my taste. My Dad is a musician, so I know I get some of my style from him and my Mom was a huge Motown lover so I know she played a part in developing my palette as well. As for the present day, I have to go with Mac Miller as being my biggest inspiration. I am still really shaken by his death, and it’s honestly difficult to even listen to his music knowing he is gone. He was a true genius, and I’m just grateful for his contribution to the world. These days I’m inspired by so many artists! Some of my favorites are Loony, Rexx Life Raj, Blimes, Yebba etc. I’m also loving the indie pop scene! Bands like Tame Impala or Still Woozy. As for the name ‘Uncle T”- that was first a nickname given to me by my friend Alyssa. I guess you could say I have always had sort of an “Uncle” vibe. When I started rapping, it just seemed like the obvious choice!

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
UNCLE T: Mainly, I just want people to recognize the authenticity. With each release, I’m just trying to be true to myself and continue to improve. My sound could be described as chill, unique, melodic, R&B that is influenced heavily by hip hop.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
UNCLE T:
I like the way you put that, and I think it’s absolutely true! Afterall, we are all the sum total of our influences with just a sprinkle of our own originality. It’s been a beautiful process of growth and development. Starting as a rapper in Minneapolis and then going into singing and playing the guitar in Philly has been such a rad journey. I’m always pushing myself and it’s fun to see how the styles collide. Every song, performance and experience I’ve had, contributes something to the next thing I will do. I never get bored!

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
UNCLE T:

I’m reminded of the phrase “art imitates life”. I try to lay everything on the table when I’m writing but I might not find myself writing songs about climate change or social justice issues very often. I think it’s important for those who have any kind of a platform to use it for positive social change, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to do it in their music. Each artist has to follow their own convictions when it comes to what they want to write about and what they want to stand up for. Music isn’t the only thing I do in life, a big part of my life is my career working with the homeless community in Philadelphia. I’ve been working for non-profits for about a decade now. I think it’s important to have balance in your life and to impact and inspire the world positively in many different ways.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
UNCLE T:

Something I always say is “If you’re too afraid to be mediocre, you’ll never be great.” I think the secret to success in music is learning to be simultaneously proud of the art you’re creating, while also knowing it can always be better. I knew when I started making music that it was going to take me years to get to the place I wanted to be, and I was okay with that. Being an artist takes a certain type of tenacity. In order to stay focused on the vision – you have to have one to begin with! I make music to evolve, to learn more about myself and to step into the shoes of the person I know I was meant to be. As for where it will take me, I really don’t know, and I don’t need to know. The beautiful experiences it brings me are more than enough.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

UNCLE T: Great question! Well, it all depends. Creativity can strike anywhere. I’m always writing songs – if I hear an interesting phrase or have a thought, I will write it in my phone and later when I am making music, I will use the notes as starting points to build a song. Since I started as a rapper, I used to strictly write over beats by myself! Over the years I have developed some cool relationships with producers, mainly James Adamiak. James produced my recent EP, “EASTBOUND”. James really gets me and we worked together to find a sound that is unique to us. Also, for the last 9 months or so I have been writing songs with my close friend/bandmate Corey Rader. Corey is a hugely talented multi-instrumentalist and producer. Him and I work together twice weekly and have been building an amazing set that we are excited to start playing out in Philly.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
UNCLE T: Making music is a whole other level of vulnerability, akin to baring your soul for the world. When you make art, people feel somewhat entitled to critique it. At times, especially early on there were things people said about my music that made me change how I was making it. Over time I realized that if I was going to keep making music, I had to let my own soul be the compass. It sounds cheesy, but you will never please everyone, so you have to go with what feels right and if people don’t vibe with it – that’s ok.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far? UNCLE T: Moving to Philadelphia has been the best thing for my music career. I was really nervous to move out of my small pond into a big one. I had to totally start over, I didn’t have any “clout” to speak of. I quickly realized that I needed to start playing an instrument! Rapping/Singing over beats just wasn’t going to cut it. I started taking vocal lessons and teaching myself how to play the guitar. I networked with some people I thought were dope and started developing a band with Corey Rader. Overall, it’s just been a huge growth experience and I’m so proud of the person I’m becoming. Since moving here a little over a year ago, I shot a rad music video, dropped an EP, started playing an instrument and working as a duo with Corey. I can’t pinpoint one specific thing, because it’s all of it at once and I’m just proud to say I’m accomplishing my goals!