Raised in Brooklyn, Michael “Telli Gramz†Ratcliff was always inspired by the people around him. Whether it was Jay-Z, his mother, or the average person trying to making a living, Telli is a narrator for those who struggle. With a raw insight on life, Telli began rapping at the tender age of ten. He made a name for himself by performing rhymes in school and rap battling in Times Square and in front of clubs in New York City.Soon, Telli began building alliances with rappers in New York City. In 1999 he landed a deal with O.Y.G Entertainment. After being signed to this label, he released the song, “Huh? What?â€, which received extensive air play on the East Coast. During this time, Telli also collaborated with Shyheim, from The Wu Tang Clan, on his third album, Manchild (1999). By 2000, Telli also recorded with the hip hop pioneer, Lord Jamar from The Brand Nubians.In 2003, he signed to Gutter Keys Entertainment, which was founded by the former president and general manager of Bad Boy Records, Kirk Burrowes. Being signed to this label enabled Telli to record with the hit-making producers, Dame Grease,whose made platinum records for DMX; and with Kiyamma Griffen, whose worked with the multi Grammy Award winning Mary J. Blige. Shortly thereafter, Gutter Keys folded. And as a result of this setback, Telli was inspired to create his own label, Git Rite Entertainment.With his explosive energy and unique flow the sky is limit for this individual. Aside from being a rapper, Telli is also the vocalist in the hip hop rock band, Leaders of the In Crowd.Telli Gramz currently resides in Bedford- Stuyvesant, with his two daughters.
