Teff Hinkson

Rapper Teff Hinkson has already opened shows for Rick Ross, Tyga, Meek Mill, Ace Hood and Fabolous. His debut project, Dream World, attracted significant internet buzz, with the music videos for singles ‘I need A Moment’ and ‘Starz’ attracting over 40,000 hits. Around that time, the Gemini’s melodic flow was weaving a sound that won over fans and piqued the ears of major industry heads.

It’s the feedback that launched him in a more fearless direction for his highly anticipated second project, which can look forward to more ‘eerie’ subject matter. The rapper describes his new sound as ”a bright, but not colourful, Sunday evening in Barbados under a J of the nicest greenery ever”. Not surprising, given that Teff was born in a place the world knows as ‘a holiday paradise’, and what he knows as, well, home.

Christened Nicholas Hinkson, Teff got his stage name around 17. After dropping some bars over a school friend’s tracks, his decided to take his craft seriously–dedicating his time to studying the habits of the greats, keeping an eye on the music industry, and keeping his ears open to a diverse mix of genres and musical styles. Rapping continued through graduation and after a mere 4 months as a Research Officer in Tourism, he pursued his passion.

Teff’s local and international fan base grew organically, partly due to the ‘Suburban’ themed parties hosted by him and his friends. With international attendees like global superstar Rihanna flying in to the island, Teff and his team created a lifestyle brand that gained a loyal following and opened Teff’s eyes to a market that was ready and waiting for his ”island-life” movement. But the journey has also forced Teff to see beyond the glitz. Inspired by the success of his prototype, his music’s new direction isn’t afraid to dig deeper. Or darker.

Growing up in Barbados remains important to Teff’s creative process and perspective on universal matters, like love, loss, belonging, alienation, and all their contradictions. From the golf course, to the block, to the beach, to travelling abroad, he’s developed a keen eye for all sides of a story–and and knows that being a big city islander is a kind of limbo that forces him to address them in a fresh way.

“It’s the yin and yang of island life, the feeling of it” says Teff. “The reason why we all want to leave or why we’ve actually left but also why we hold it in our hearts so dearly.”

Backed by the international interest in his first project, Teff Hinkson has relocated to his second home; Toronto. He’s staying busy tightening up his upcoming project with Island Indigo, as the next phase of his rapping career takes off.

Stay Tuned.