EvolutionHipHop : Featured Artists : Tiye Phoenix

Tiye Phoenix is originally from Baltimore, MD. She started her musical journey by playing the piano by ear as a child. Tiye studied classical piano between ages 7 and 13. Her love of poetry was the foundation for the development of her lyrical prowess.

In the late 90s, Tiye formed S.O.U.L. Food Symphony, a D.C.-based all female collective with an ethereal sound that consisted of emcees, singers, & musicians. SFS performed with artists such as Nas, Black Moon, & Gil Scot Heron.*

Tiye was signed to Rawkus Records in the late 90s. She worked with fellow Rawkus artists Mos Def, The Last Emporer & Talib Kweli. Tiye appears on the Reflection Eternal Train of Thought album (2000).

Tiye went on to write with legendary groups Public Enemy, and work with classic hip-hop producers Hank & Keith Shocklee. Tiye has toured and performed with soul songstress Teena Marie and the late Rick James, and recorded with the UK group, The Runaways.*

Tiye is a member of the super group Polyrhythm Addicts (Tiye, DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq + Mr. Complex). In 2007, they released the album Break Glass. [video: Reachin' f. Pharoahe Monch]

On May 26, 2009, Tiye released her first solo album Half Woman Half Amazin' on Babygrande Records. It contains 12 very well-balanced tracks. They range from fierce lyrical up-tempo tracks to softer, more vulnerable introspective songs. My favorites include "Stop Right There" (produced by Apathy of Demigodz), "Go Even Harder" featuring Chip Fu, "Master Plan", "Too Late For Us" featuring Phonte, "TIYEtanium" and "Half Woman Half Amazin'".

There are a multitude of great lyrics, but the lines that I enjoy the most : "I'm an East coast broad who can broaden the market/I'm downtown in the Bricks Broad & Market/back out in Philly Broad & Market/I'm back home chillin' B-More the Harbor" (from "Go Even Harder").

Other producers featured on the album include DJ Jazzy Jeff (Master Plan), DJ Scratch (Revolving Door), Da Beatminerz (TIYEtanium) & Tiye (Half Woman Half Amazin').

Tiye has worked with several artists on various projects. In 2009, she was featured on the track "Still Golden" on DJ Spinna's Sonic Smash album. She appeared on the Dynas album The Apartment on the song "Come Along". In 2010, Tiye did features for Eternia ("The BBQ" remix) & El Da Sensei ("Right Moves (No Mistakes)").

Tiye was nominated for Female Emcee of the Year in 2009 & 2010 by the Underground Music Awards. She won this award in 2010.

In late 2010, Tiye released the singles "48 Bars of Progression" & "Waking Up (The Diamond Mantra)". These songs will appear on the upcoming EP entitled Transit To Illumination. Her sophomore album will be called The Mastery but no release date has been mentioned yet.

*From official biography on www.myspace.com/tiyephoenix

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