Crowned the “realest rapper in the game,’ from Jacksonville Florida, TEF XL takes on the hip-hop industry with his signature conversational style that leaves no doubt in the sincerity of his message.

His music draws inspiration from 80s and 90s rap, crafted with modern melodic hints of neo-soul and enveloped in smart and socially conscious lyricism. TEF has been writing his own lyrics since the age of twelve as a form of therapy and having lived through much in his adolescence the artist channels those experiences into authentic and raw-sounding music. As proof of his resolve to an elevated purpose, he graduated with a Doctorate degree and established his own business. The entrepreneur,
executive leader, and musician has a treasure trove of allegories to share with the world and he is just getting started.

After dropping “Injustice” and “Trap Paradise” in 2020, TEF continued to build a solid fan base with several other singles that followed, including “JIT 2 A G” which garnered attention from thousands of listeners. TEF’s next major drop came in 2022, titled “Deuces”; the powerful single and music video impressed crowds beyond the mainstream and received international acclaim. His most recent releases “RNR”, “Say Less”, and “B.O.W.” with a stunning music video have already amassed millions of streams and plays. Vulnerable and unapologetically bold, TEF explores the tense themes of bias and racial prejudice, spicing up his witty lyrics with stories of his own to speak for the voiceless. 

TEF has been featured in some of the most prestigious press including Lyrical Lemonade, Hollywood Unlocked, Rollacoaster, The Source, and many others. Inspired by the likes of Jay-Z, Rakim, Jeezy, and Kendrick Lamar, TEF XL worked hard on the creation of his debut album Code Switch Vol. I: The Prequel, an audio-biographical depiction of the socioeconomic and relationship-based circumstances the artist has overcome during his life to realize his dreams, from street entrepreneur to Fortune 500 business executive.