CallMeTee doesn’t talk about North Long Beach like a place he escaped — he talks about it like a foundation. His story starts in the Parwoods apartments, a massive complex known to anyone who grew up in the North Long Beach and Lakewood area. To him, it wasn’t just where he lived — it was a world of its own. A place where friendships were unlimited, days were long, and seasons weren’t marked by calendars but by what everyone was into at the time.
There were football games right outside his door, full-court runs at the park, and crowds of kids deep — thirty at a time — turning empty space into something alive. One season it was bikes, fifteen kids riding together like a moving unit. Another season it was skateboards, everybody learning at the same time. Then came the jerking era. Through it all, his childhood stayed rooted in laughter, movement, and connection. It’s something he still speaks on often, not out of nostalgia, but because those moments shaped how he sees community and creativity today.
Music entered CallMeTee’s life early — earlier than most. At just 12 years old, he made his first song on a PSP using a game called Beaterator. Watching a friend create full songs, record vocals through the PSP speaker, and upload mixtapes to YouTube before school even started opened his eyes. The idea that someone his age could really make music felt unreal — and motivating. Middle school hadn’t even ended, but the spark had already been lit.
That curiosity was fed at home too. Riding in his dad’s car, flipping through giant CD binders, CallMeTee absorbed everything — rap, R&B, gospel. His dad could sing, and while he jokes that singing didn’t transfer over, melodies did. That early exposure shaped how he hears music now, especially how much the beat matters to him before anything else.
Artists like Kendrick Lamar made a lasting impression. He remembers his dad playing Overly Dedicated, getting hyped over the final bars without even knowing what was coming next. Later, hearing “Rigamortus” for the first time made him stop and ask questions. From there, YouTube became a classroom — Drake, J. Cole, Logic, backpack cyphers, and albums like To Pimp a Butterfly, Under Pressure, and Searching Sylvan stayed on repeat. It wasn’t about copying anyone — it was about understanding how different artists built their worlds.
That mindset carries directly into his sound today. CallMeTee doesn’t box himself into one lane. Instead, he gravitates toward soulful, consistent beats — the kind that immediately pull him into a writing zone. TEESEASON is the clearest example of that. The beats catch his attention first, and once the rhythm and cadence lock in, the words follow naturally. For him, the beat sets the emotional temperature. Everything else is built on top of that foundation.
Since 2016, he’s recorded nearly all his music at the same place — Streets and Tricky Studio in Torrance. That consistency mirrors his approach as an artist. No bouncing around chasing trends. No rushing the process. Just showing up, sharpening his sound, and trusting growth over time.
Outside of music, his world growing up stayed local — Lakewood Mall, Cerritos Mall, Skate Depot, movie theaters, the Long Beach Pike. But truthfully, nothing pulled him away from the apartment complex for long. The park, the courts, and the people around him filled his days completely. That sense of belonging still echoes through his music.
His latest release, TEESEASON, isn’t just another project — it’s personal. He calls it honest, direct, and rooted in self-realization. There’s no overcomplication here. It’s about acknowledging where he’s been, recognizing his growth, and reminding himself — and anyone listening — that this music thing goes further than he ever imagined. It’s motivation without gimmicks. Confidence without noise.
As for what’s next, CallMeTee isn’t in a rush. Between his first project Halftime and TEESEASON, he created a lot of music he’s still holding onto. An EP is planned for 2026, and if his track record says anything, it’ll arrive when it’s supposed to — not a moment sooner.
