Meet Chicago’s

What’s your name and where are you from?

My name is Terrence Manley a.k.a. Chicago’s Very Own Prince of Pop, Famous Tee. I am from Chicago, Illinois, I grew up in the Englewood neighborhood.

Why do you love what you do?

I’m an artist-producer, meaning I keep full control of my art and creativity. It’s like therapy to be able to just isolate yourself and let your feelings and emotions run loose on a blank canvas. In real life, coming from the trenches, it’s not too many people that care. Being able to translate my feelings and emotions into a language I make my own is top-tier therapy. Pain, heartbreak and losses don’t have to hurt when you can turn it into something beautiful. Letting people know they not alone through the music is always consoling.

What makes you different?

How can I compare myself to anyone if I’m one of one? I’ll never be able to view myself from the perspective of another person, let alone would I be to understand who I am. I never came from the best of situations so I always had to adapt to survive in my environment. I feel like my unpredictability or my “underdog” mode is what makes me different. I don’t mind be counted out or having the odds against me because I beat them every time. When it’s snakes in the grass, I just set the grass on fire. I’m always aware, attentive and ready for the next move.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself winning Grammy awards for Best New Pop Artist and Best New Pop Album. I see myself as a pioneer who revolutionized the way music is listened to and how it’s felt. In the next five years, I told myself that I’ll be on Forbes’ 30 under 30. It’s no limit to the things we can achieve so why stop at a Grammy? I can be the greatest to ever do this music thing, ain’t nothing stopping me from doing it. It’s me versus me.

What do you want to accomplish in life?

What really matters to me in this life is making sure my family and loved ones are straight. Growing up I always wanted to be the one that people could count on to save them. I sacrificed myself plus more to save people who didn’t even have the ambition to save themselves. Turning my dreams into my reality would be my biggest accomplishment in life. Becoming the best version of myself is what I want to accomplish in life.

What do you bring to your industry?

The mastermind behind the strings is what I bring to the table. Having the complete vision and being able to carry out each step, seeing it through is a skill not many possess. Seeing things before they happen has always been a blessing. The amount of patience and attention to detail I’ve developed has proven crucial to my success behind the music and in everyday life situations in the trenches. If there was a zombie apocalypse and you needed a survival kit, they would give you me.

What do you want to be remembered by?

I want to be remembered through the way I made people feel. The stats, accolades and awards are always there to be broken by someone else. They’ll be forgotten by the people over time. Someone always comes along and breaks a record of some sort. How you made people feel, through your music or through everyday interactions is what really matters when you make it to the end of your journey.