TIYEE

I was born with no chains, no pain, and no shame. I was born free." ~ Who I am.

Diva, Rock Queen, Tiyee has arrived. Her voice vibrates with emotion, emanates warmth and hits notes fueled by passion and pain. "My sound is a blend of folk, rock, and soul," the British beauty explains, "I call is R&B - Rock 'n Balls!".

Since she was a young girl in her traditional West Indian home, Tiyee began singing for her family and friends. Her talent was discovered at an audition for her secondary school music program when she was 12 by her then teacher Ms. Berry. Ms. Berry heard Tiyee belt out a cover of Carly Simon's "Nobody Does it Better" and after a long pause with her mouth half aghast, simply told her "You're in."

This reaction has followed Tiyee throughout her career, shortly after her debut she tried out for the children's version of Live Aid for Africa and was one of 12 chosen out of 50,000 to participate in the event. That's when Tiyee knew for her, it would be music all the way.

After graduation, Tiyee's life was full of ups and downs but none left an impression as the day she met up with her former teacher, Ms. Berry, while working at a local jewelry shop. She looked at her across the counter and exclaimed, "You're going to be famous. You need to stick to music. I never said it was going to be easy." With newfound enthusiasm, Tiyee secured a manager but unfortunately, double tragedy struck suddenly when in the span of 6 months she lost both her brother and her sister. Tiyee hit the point where she simply couldn't sing, write, or even desire to speak.

After a seven month break, she channeled her experiences and sadness into her music and the songs just started flowing. "through this tragedy, my music had taken a big turn. People used to say my songs didn't reveal who I was or what I'd been through. After coming to terms with my loss, no one asked me for my life story. My songs were more interesting, even to me." Songs like "Who I Am," a declaration that we are the possibilities of anything we want to be. "Died Inside," about sayting no to someone you love. "Takin' The World," an ode to powerful women, and the inspirational "Solid Ground," a song Tiyee hails as her arrival. After winning her bout with depression, she decided to release the inner pain through her songs. "I believe that with all my struggles it's just the price I'm paying to be where I want to be. I will get to that solid ground."

With her passion for music burning brighter than ever, Tiyee recently followed her dream to New York City. As she sees it, every obstacle is bringing her closer to what she wants. Taking on the Big Apple can be a challenge, but Tiyee is more ready than ever and when asked, "I can't think of any drug I've done, or man I've loved, or piece of clothing I've bought that has made me feel the way singing does," the charming performer concludes. "You're pouring your heart out and setting yourself free. I wouldn't give that up for the world. I'd rather die knowing they've written on my gravestone - Died Trying - than never having tried at all."