Meet Tef Xl

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tef Xl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

TEF, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

First off thank you for the opportunity to share a little about myself with your readers. Man this may be my favorite question that’s never been asked.

My resilience stems from several key experiences and qualities shaped throughout my life:

I had a challenging upbringing growing up in the streets of Jacksonville, FL (Duval County). My music, such as “The Calling,” reflects my journey, including fighting inner demons and surviving difficult challenges with street life. In my songs, you will find I often portray a mentality of perseverance, turning adversity into strength.

I’ve had personal struggles and growth: Many of my songs, like “Conversations,” reveal personal challenges like profiling and fatherhood, where I use my experiences to guide others, especially my son, to fight for their dreams. My lyrics also depict societal hardships such as policing and racial inequality, as seen in “Injustice,” which speaks to overcoming systemic issues.

Wanting more thinking bigger fueled my entrepreneurial spirit, to transition from the streets to becoming a business executive, and I’m unapologetic about that journey. Songs like “RNR” and “Dream Life” really do a great job of telling that story.

I always knew education paired with discipline of course, was needed to make a difference, so that pushed me to earn my Doctorate and Master’s degree.

Lastly, my faith and purpose comes through in my writing reflecting my personal philosophy, “if you can see it, you can be it,” which continues to fuel my growth.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Man, thank you so much for the opportunity to share more about my journey and where I’m headed. My artistic career has been a blend of storytelling, business, and purpose, and I’ve always believed that music can be both a platform and a vehicle for change.

My story starts in Jacksonville, FL, where I navigated the streets and developed the grit and determination that shapes my music today. I combine these life experiences with my academic background, I’ve earned both a Master’s and Doctorate degree, which gives me a unique perspective on life, business, and art. My music reflects this balance between street experiences and intellectual growth.

What I do as an artist is create what I like to call “luxury rap.” It’s a genre that fuses hard-hitting, authentic storytelling with sophisticated, well-crafted beats. I bring a mature sound, blending hip-hop with elements of neo-soul, and my goal is to speak to people in all stages of life. My music reflects growth, struggle, and triumph, and I’m unapologetic in how I share these stories.

What makes it special is that I approach every verse, every beat, and every project with the mindset that it’s a body of work, something meaningful, not just a quick release. Whether it’s “Conversations,” “Injustice,” or “RNR,” each track is a piece of me, and I treat each song as if it’s my last. I’m also proud of the live elements I bring into my performances; I’ve worked with live bands to create a sonic experience that immerses my listeners.

Currently, my focus is on expanding my reach with the upcoming release of my project titled Code Switch Vol. II: Life Lessons. This project is part of a trilogy series as an autobiographical volume and takes listeners deeper into my life story, from growing up in Duval County to becoming a leader/executive. It’s about the duality of life, switching between different worlds, and overcoming adversity to rise above.

We’ve got exciting things lined up for 2024-25. I’m gearing up for more live video performances that blend music, visuals, and storytelling to give fans an unforgettable experience. My goal is to continue expanding internationally, while also giving back by supporting initiatives in education and mentorship, helping the next generation navigate both the streets and the boardrooms.

Beyond that, my team and I are working on some exclusive merch drops and collaborations that reflect the luxury side of my brand. Stay tuned, because we’re only getting started.

In short, I’m about pushing boundaries, elevating the conversation, and inspiring people to turn dreams into reality, “if you can see it, you can be it.”

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say three key qualities have been the most impactful in my journey:

1. Resilience and Mental Grit: Life doesn’t always go the way you plan, and I’ve had my share of setbacks and challenges. But resilience, the ability to push through, even when the odds are against you, has been critical. Whether navigating the streets, facing discrimination, or even climbing the corporate ladder, I always held onto the mentality that I could overcome anything.

Advice: Develop a mindset that embraces failure as part of the process. Life is full of tests, and every test can be a stepping stone toward success if you learn from it. Build mental toughness by setting small challenges and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. Surround yourself with people who uplift and motivate you during tough times.

2. Strategic Thinking and Adaptability: From my business ventures to my music career, I’ve learned the importance of planning, but also being able to adapt quickly when things change. Whether it’s transitioning from the streets to corporate life or evolving my sound in music, being strategic in my approach has been key. You must anticipate challenges and always have a plan, but also be willing to pivot when necessary.

Advice: Develop the skill of strategic planning by setting clear, actionable goals. Break them into short-term steps while keeping your long-term vision in mind. However, be flexible and willing to adjust your path if new opportunities or challenges arise. Read books on strategy and learn from mentors who have successfully navigated complex environments.

3. Self-Belief and Vision: I always say, “if you can see it, you can be it,” and that mantra has been my north star. I’ve had a strong sense of self-belief, even when others didn’t see my potential. Whether it was my journey from the streets to earning a Doctorate, or building a thriving music career, I had to envision myself succeeding before anyone else did.

Advice: Build confidence by affirming your value and investing time in personal growth. Create a clear vision of what you want to achieve and write it down. Visualization is a powerful tool, start with small wins to build momentum. The more you accomplish, the stronger your belief in your potential will become.

For those early in their journey, focus on resilience, strategy, and self-belief, but don’t rush the process. Building something worthwhile takes time, and every setback is just another step forward if you’re learning. Keep grinding, stay adaptable, and above all, never stop believing in yourself.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

John Maxwell’s “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” is a powerful resource for anyone seeking to develop leadership qualities, and it’s had a significant impact on my own growth. Here are a few of the most valuable nuggets of wisdom from the book that shaped me:

1. Character: “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”
Character is the foundation of true leadership. Maxwell emphasizes that without a strong moral compass, no amount of skill or strategy will matter in the long run. This has been crucial for me both in business and music. No matter what I’m navigating, whether the streets or the boardroom, staying true to my values has always been my guiding light. People trust and follow those who exhibit integrity.

Impact on me: It’s been essential for me to build my reputation on trust and authenticity. I’ve seen firsthand how doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching, earns long-term respect and loyalty.

2. Courage: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Leadership requires the courage to take risks, make hard decisions, and face adversity. But equally, it’s about having the humility to listen and learn from others. In my journey, courage has meant stepping into spaces where I wasn’t always welcome, whether in corporate America or the music industry, and pushing past doubts and fears.

Impact on me: Courage has driven me to push beyond limitations, stay resilient, and move boldly towards my goals, even when others doubted me.

3. Vision: “A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
Vision is one of the most critical qualities of leadership. Without it, there’s no clear direction. Maxwell talks about how vision inspires and motivates others to follow. For me, it’s about creating a bigger picture of where I’m going, both personally and in my art. I’ve always believed that “if I can see it, I can be it”, and that vision has kept me moving forward even when obstacles arose.

Impact on me: My vision has been key in helping me transition from the streets to earning my degrees, and in guiding my career as an entrepreneur and artist. It’s not just about where I am now, but where I want to be.

4. Self-Discipline: “The first person you lead is you.”
Maxwell emphasizes that leaders must master self-discipline before they can lead others. This lesson has been instrumental for me. No matter how talented or smart you are, without discipline, it’s impossible to reach your full potential. From staying committed to my education to maintaining consistency in my music career, self-discipline has helped me stay on track.

Impact on me: It’s helped me navigate the tough times, build strong habits, and balance the various aspects of my life, whether it’s business, music, or personal growth.

These principles from John Maxwell’s book have helped shape who I am as both a leader and an artist. They remind me daily of the importance of staying grounded, driven by a clear vision, and committed to growing not only for myself but for those I lead and inspire.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photos by: Chris Lea
Photos by: Zach

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