Lil Tecca Is Making "Growner" Music On New Album 'Tec' | GRAMMY.com (2024)

Lil Tecca may be barely old enough to drink, but he has reams of experience under his belt. He's a more advanced rapper than he was even a year ago: he doesn't risk life and limb onstage, like when he leapt offstage without shoes and almost broke his feet.

At 21, he's still hurtling forward — personally and creatively. "When I was 16, I was put in a little bit of a box, in a way," he tells GRAMMY.com. "Like a Kidz Bop, Disney World kind of thing."

But his first two full-length projects, 2020's Virgo World and 2021's We Love You Tecca 2, put childish things to bed — and now, he's out with his most mature, cohesive album to date. In his word, it's "growner" than any of its predecessors.

Featuring guest appearances from Kodak Black ("Hvn on Earth") and Ken Carson ("Fell in Love"), TEC breezes through everything that makes Tecca, Tecca. The former single is a perfect example; he can effortlessly braid with a top-shelf MC while maintaining his individual voice and vibe.

"You're definitely going to feel a various amount of emotions throughout this project. There's hype songs; there's co*cky songs; there's flexing; there's sad; there's insecure. There are songs where I'm trying to manifest my future."

Read on for an interview with Lil Tecca about his conception behind TEC; growing up listening to, then working with Kodak Black; and not getting in his own way creatively.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Tell me about your creative synergy with Kodak Black.

I think with the song "Hvn on Earth," we really just found a common place where we both fit in creatively. We didn't make [the song] at the same time. When I sent it to him, he told me he really liked the song.

When I first thought of him on the song, I was like, OK, maybe this is gonna be a cool record. I didn't really ever think of the creative synergy for real. I just thought of how good he would sound on a beat.

What is it about the qualities of his voice, or his artistry, that made him perfect?

Growing up listening to Kodak Black, I always noticed the bounce to his beats — that Florida-ish bounce.

I made the beat to this one. Not that it reminded me of it, but I kind of felt like his flow complemented it.

Since you grew up listening to Kodak Black, getting to collaborate with him must have been a huge moment.

Yeah, definitely. I definitely grew up listening to Kodak, around 15, 14. He was one of the first rappers [I listened to].

Creatively what was the seed that grew into TEC?

I was just working on my album; I didn't even have a name for it yet. It was a little bit after my 2022 tour. I was just so ready to drop something for this, around this time.

Honestly, creatively, I'm always working. But putting this project together kind of put a battery in my back. Because I gave it a demand; it was like a must-be-done thing.

Putting together the whole album, I was very focused on incorporating all my sounds into this one sound — not leaving anything behind. Just making sure everything grows with me as I grow, and sticking to my roots, for sure.

What was it about this moment that galvanized you to get something out there? I'm sure returning to live shows — the energy of those — contributed to that.

Yeah, 100 percent. I'm always trying to drop a project every single year. Being super busy in 2022 and not being able to drop one, I was like, I really wish I got to drop a project.

So, coming around 2023, I didn't give myself no choice.

For those who haven't seen you live before, what can they expect?

My shows are very, very active. I feel like my setlist is very diverse. There might be a few chill songs, like [my 2022 single] "Love Me" or "Want It Bad" off my new album. A lot of slow songs that might give the fans a break.

Because when it comes to the real hitting-hard songs — loud 808s, loud bass, everything — it's mosh pits; it's very active in the crowd.

I love my setlist. It even gives me time to breathe sometimes, when I need to breathe. So, it's definitely a trip, for real. It's not like you walk into the spot and you're just jumping. You walk in, you're singing, you're jumping — just having a good time.

From a performance standpoint, who in the rap world inspires you? Regarding those two qualities — diversity and energy.

I don't really look to anyone for motivation. I would say my fans motivate me the most.

I go off their energy a lot. Not that their energy is everything, because if I see people not jumping, I'm still going to rock out. But if I see them do going crazy, that's just another battery in the back for me to just go crazy.

But I definitely look back at my own film. I definitely be checking out Rolling Loud, seeing how the people who perform, like the headliners, do. But I'm really just learning from my own mistakes, for real.

Such as?

I've made so many mistakes to perform the way I do now.

I've had to jump off the stage with no shoes on and almost break my feet. I realized that you can't really just be jumping off the stage with no shoes like that. To see fans run up on me on stage, and my bodyguard tackle them right in front of me; I'm in the middle of singing my last song of the set.

Especially coming into this game, me and my whole team — we're our own OGs. We learned this the same way everyone else learned it; we had to make our own mistakes for all the people we get under our wing.

To tell them, "Hey, listen, you shouldn't do that. We had to do that; we had to get the consequences of doing that."

Every artist, every MC, has a different dynamic with their fans. What's yours?

I feel like my fans are just like me. And even if they're not just like me, they think they just like me.

I feel like we relate. And that's, like, 50 — if not 60 — percent of the reason why they liked me. The music I make is just the soundtrack to how we relate to each other, and what we're both going through.

When I think of my fans, I definitely think of myself, and all the people that look up to me. When I win, they win. So, it's that window of seeing that it's possible: Look at this dude; he just like me. He going crazy. He doing what he wants to do. I could do what I want to do.

**Would you like to shout out any accompanists and producers on TEC?**

Taz Taylor and Rio Leyva. Shout out to BNYX too, but mainly, Taz Taylor and Rio Leyva.

Rio Leyva is the brain. He's the person in the background who's on the computer all day, figuring out all the lab stuff. Everyone else is also putting in work all the time — Census, Nash, Noah. All the guys at Internet Money.

They're all just working in and out, jus trying to figure out new sounds — new ways we could push the genre, push the sound we created, all that.

Taz Taylor was my partner in crime throughout this whole project, creatively-wise. I trust that man's ear — sometimes, when I don't trust my ear. That's one of them guys right there. If he wasn't part of this process, this album probably would have dropped in 2025.

Why's that? Do you tend to get a little self-doubting? Did he help nudge you up the hill?

I never get self-doubting. If anything, I'm overly confident. Like, I think anything I've touched turned to gold.

Because the way I see life is, like, if you weren't born, there's so many things that wouldn't exist. That's how I see my life, so I never take credit away from it. I look at it as great.

Sometimes, you need those people around you — to be like, "Hey, listen: you might think this is great, but this is the one right here."

And sometimes, you've got to go with your gut, like, "Hey listen: I know what you're thinking about it, but this is how I think about it." You've got to have a little balance around you.

*Lil Tecca. Photo: Cones*

And can you talk about the guests on TEC, other than Kodak?

Yeah, Ken Carson on "Fell in Love." He's been one of my friends for years now. So, to have that song on a project — that's really just another song that one of my friends and I made.

It really has no backstory. We just went in the studio, and one day, cooked it up.

What was it about "Fell in Love" that made the people need to hear it.

I feel like every song we make is good. But sometimes, we be making songs where it's like, OK, this one has my sound really efficiently. Because we make music for ourselves at the end of the day, too.

How would you describe the various moods contained on TEC?

Everything's on there. Especially if you're paying attention to the sonics, and the overall mood of the songs, you're definitely going to feel that I was going through a bunch of stuff during this process.

Perhaps that's why it's called TEC. It seems to be a consolidation of all your different sides.

Yes, literally that. I'm condensed into: Here it is. I'm not speaking around it.

And especially, my friends call me Tec in real life. Nobody calls me Tecca. Well, maybe someone will walk up to me on the street and call me Tecca. I never hear my government name, ever. So, that might make it a little more personal — to just call it TEC.

It seems like you've never self-inventorized on record like this.

When you just practice and care about the craft, you get better over time. Even if I thought I was good a year ago, looking back now, I'm way better now.

I'm way better at speaking about what I'm going through and actually translating it in a way to where it's inviting people into my world, instead of just blurting information at people. Like, "Yo, I'm sad right now!" "Yo, I'm happy! I just bought a Gucci bag!"

I'm presenting it in a different way, where it's like, OK, you're spending 30 minutes with me. Let's take a trip real quick. It's not just random.

What happened in your creative life that facilitated this?

I think, over time, you just pass this threshold in whatever you do. You don't even know when you hit that little threshold. It's like you could just have a convo, convo, convo. It's just a flow now. It just becomes a part of your being that it's a natural thing. You don't even realize you're doing it. You hop in a flow state.

I'm also coming from: you do it for so long, you realize you're still here. You realize, no matter who think you're not going to be here this time, you're still here, just do what you're going to do. You don't want to look at when you're 90 years old and all your grandkids around you, you won't be thinking about no Instagram comments.

So, that's how we're going to do it for real. I really passed that threshold from just not caring, not getting in the way of the creativity or the process at all.

Rolling Loud, the leading rap festival brand in the world, has today (Feb. 5) announced its latest expansion with Rolling Loud Portugal, its first-ever edition in Europe. The three-day festival, taking place July 8-10 at Praia da Rocha Beach in Portimao, The Algarve, Portugal, is stacked with today's top artists and next-gen stars in rap, including headliners A$AP Rocky, Future and Wiz Khalifa. The all-star lineup also features rap giants like Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Meek Mill and Rae Sremmurd as well as fast-rising newcomers like DaBaby, Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Tecca and Rico Nasty, among many others.

The inaugural Rolling Loud Portugal festival will also feature performances from European artists, including AJ Tracey, Giggs, D Block Europe, M Huncho, Haiyti and Kelvyn Colt, as well as local Portuguese rappers Piruka, Yuzi, sippinpurpp, Minguito, and Lon3r Johny.

Read: Tyler, The Creator Wins Best Rap Album For 'IGOR' | 2020 GRAMMYs

Ahead of the Portugal edition, Rolling Loud will touch down in Miami, its original home, with a three-day festival, running May 8-10, featuring headliners A$AP Rocky, Coachella 2020 headliner Travis Scott and Post Malone.

Since debuting in 2015, Rolling Loud has become the premier festival destination for rap fans around the world. Founded by Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, the event began as a one-day festival in Miami and quickly grew as an international brand. Last October, the festival launched its debut New York City edition, which featured performances from Travis Scott, Meek Mill, Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky and Lil Uzi Vert, among others. Prior to that, in January 2019, Rolling Loud launched its inaugural event in Australia with a heavy lineup featuring Future, Lil Uzi Vert, YG, Tyga, Playboi Carti and others.

Pre-sale passes for the inaugural Rolling Loud Portugal 2020 go on sale Thursday, Feb. 6, at 8 a.m. GMT. General admission and VIP tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 7, at 8 a.m. GMT.

To view the full lineup and to purchase tickets for Rolling Loud Portugal 2020, visit thefestival's official website.

Following GRAMMY U’s membership expansion, the Recording Academy is thrilled to welcome the 2024-25 GRAMMY U Representative class.

These 14 college students are rising leaders in the music industry, dedicated to pushing forward inclusivity and creativity. Serving up to three consecutive years, each GRAMMY U Representative works closely with their local Chapter as well as the national GRAMMY U team to support membership initiatives and diverse programs for more than 6,500 members worldwide.

Founded in 2006, GRAMMY U supported college students pursuing careers in music for nearly two decades. As of last Fall, the program’s membership was extended not just to college students but also individuals aged 18 to 29 years old who are hoping to work in the music industry.

This exciting expansion means that GRAMMY U now offers more opportunities than ever before. The program’s latest class of Reps is eager to guide you. Continue reading to get to know the 2024-25 class of GRAMMY U Representatives.

Jasmine Gordon | Atlanta

Jasmine is studying at Spelman College as a Comparative Women’s Studies major. This is her second year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to connect with other like-minded GRAMMY U Representatives and to build meaningful relationships with peers who share my passion for music.

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

A music industry professional who truly inspires me is Jessie Allen, GRAMMY U’s Managing Director. Her unwavering dedication and the passion she pours into the GRAMMY U program are truly admirable and motivate me to make a meaningful impact in this field.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

R&B has always held a special place in my heart; it’s a genre that speaks to the soul and captures the depth of human emotion in a way that few others can. The rich history and evolution of R&B inspire me both personally and professionally.

Connect with Jasmine:

Email: grammyu.atlanta@grammy.com

IG: @jazzy.gord

Jim Slife | Chicago

Jim is studying at DePaul University as a Communications and Media major. This is his first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

I am so excited to collaborate and get to know more GRAMMY U members both inside and outside of the Chicago chapter. I would love to hear member’s thoughts and ideas on how we can further engage with the music community, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me!

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

In today's music scene, I love to see how artists continue to push beyond the categories of genre and blend different influences to make their own unique sound. From Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” to Clairo's "Charm,” I admire the way artists are not afraid to combine genres of the past and future to create some of the most exciting albums of this year.

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

I am so inspired by my fellow GRAMMY U members and alumni. Seeing young professionals grow and shine as they take the initial steps into their careers is very motivating to me and makes me so thankful to be part of such a wonderful community!

Connect with Jim:

Email: grammyu.chicago@grammy.com

IG: @jim.slife

Adyna Silverberg | Florida

Adyna is studying at the University of Miami as a Music Industry major. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

My favorite genres of music are a tie between pop and dance music. Pop music will never get old to me because I’ve grown up listening to it my whole life and it has shaped me into the person and artist I am today. Recently, I’ve grown a love for EDM because it always puts me in a great mood and has created a vibrant community.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

Currently, my dream career in the music industry would be in A&R because I love finding and listening to new artists, and I hope to shape them into the artist they want to become. I have the most experience in this field, but I am very interested in exploring other avenues in the music industry such as artist or business management, marketing, and live events!

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would love to plan a GRAMMY U event centered around John Summit because he seemingly gained a social media following overnight and his “work hard, play hard” mindset is extremely inspiring. In his most recent album, “Comfort in Chaos,” he sonically explained all of the ups and downs in life while traveling on tour, working on new music, and prioritizing mental health. There are countless students who look up to him as an artist, producer, and record label owner especially in Miami.

Connect with Adyna:

Email: grammyu.florida@grammy.com

IG: @adynablair

Joslyn Bowman | Los Angeles

Joslyn is in her third year at the USC Thornton School of Music as a Music Business major. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

Recently, I have been obsessed with listening to folk music! I have been listening to a lot of Noah Kahan because his lyrics always tell such meaningful stories, and his music has the power to reach so many people’s hearts around the world in a way that I’ve never seen before.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

My dream career in the music industry is to become a lawyer. When I started studying the music industry, I became aware of the many injustices and problems that artists and other professionals face. I hope to use my knowledge to support music industry professionals who have faced unfair treatment and to emphasize the importance of education regarding the rules and laws surrounding this industry.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would love to plan an event centered around Sylvia Rhone and all of the incredible work that she’s done within the music industry. As the first black female CEO of a record label, Sylvia Rhone has been a trailblazer for women and people of color in the music industry, and she has proved that anyone can be successful regardless of their background which is so inspiring to me. Hearing about her journey and the obstacles she had to overcome would be a dream come true!

Connect with Joslyn:

Email: grammyu.la@grammy.com

IG: @joslynnleila

Shannon Conte | Memphis

Shannon is a Business Management major at Tulane University. This is her second year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

I love R&B and all the genres that fit under the umbrella of R&B. The genre constantly surprises me and keeps me finding more musicians I enjoy. I think I resonate most with the lyrics of R&B songs. I also find myself drawn to the vocals more-so than any other genre.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

I aspire to work in artist management, starting my own management company and growing it from the ground up. I believe my unique skill set and personality will aid me in becoming a successful artist manager.

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

I am inspired most by Julie Greenwald, a Tulane alumni who found immense success as a music industry executive. Her charisma and drive has paved the way for aspiring female music professionals, hence why she is such an idol to me.

Connect with Shannon:

Email: grammyu.memphis@grammy.com

IG: @sconte_

Adren Gilmore | Nashville

Adren is studying Commercial Music at Tennessee State University. This is his first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

I am most looking forward to expanding my network of peers as a GRAMMY U Representative this year. As a member of the next generation of music industry leaders, I will have the opportunity to make firsthand connections with an expansive and like-minded community in this role.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

My favorite musical genre is funk because it emphasizes grooves and rhythmic basslines. Funk has a rich history as it emerged from post-Jim Crow Black America, symbolizing Black Pride and "Unapologetic Blackness," which inspires my music and artistic identity.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

If I could plan a Grammy U event around any creator, it would undoubtedly be the late musical icon Prince. His career is a masterclass in tenacity and smart business decisions, offering invaluable lessons for today's artists and GRAMMY U members alike.

Connect with Adren:

Email: grammyu.nashville@grammy.com

IG: @adrengilmore

India Sahai | New York

India is studying at Fordham University to pursue her masters in Media Management. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

As one of this year’s GRAMMY U Representatives, I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Reps to curate a memorable year filled with exciting new events and opportunities for our members!

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

My favorite genre is singer-songwriter, which is a versatile style that focuses on personal, emotional storytelling through music. I appreciate when singer-songwriters construct a narrative that builds through the verses of the song.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

My dream career in the industry is to work in A&R at a record label. I would love to be able to scout and discover artists and then provide the support needed to develop and grow throughout their entire career.

Connect with India:

Email: grammyu.ny@grammy.com

IG: @indiasahai

Jenia Viles | Pacific Northwest

Jenia is studying at Seattle University as a Business Management Major. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

I’m beyond excited to continue cultivating our passionate community full of emerging music industry creatives and professionals. I’m looking forward to building meaningful relationships with my Pacific Northwest Chapter members and with my fellow Representatives. It’s going to be so great to connect with other people who are interested in finding work within the music industry!

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

I listen to many different genres of music, so it’s hard to pick one (how original…ha!), but if I had to choose, I’d definitely say Neo-soul because it’s a fusion of my favorite musical genres: R&B, Jazz, and Hip-Hop. Listening to Neo-soul puts my mind at ease! Some notable Neo-soul artists that I love listening to include Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Musiq Soulchild, and Maxwell, to name a few.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

I’m still figuring out my dream career in the music industry, though I’ve always been passionate about the creative production side of the music industry as I have always been fascinated with the artistic processes of music producers such as the Neptunes or Salaam Remi. I’ve also considered the A&R side of the industry and would be interested in working with and forming connections with an artist or working directly for a label.

Connect with Jenia:

Email: grammyu.pnw@grammy.com

IG: @niadfv

Jada Bromberg | Philadelphia

Jada is studying at Temple University with majors in Audio & Live Entertainment and Communication Studies. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

Indie pop is my favorite genre because of its simplicity and the artists' emphasis on storytelling through lyrics. I’m particularly drawn to songs that resonate with me on a personal level.

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

Singer-songwriter Anson Seabra inspires me with his raw, emotional lyrics. For many years, his music has been a source of comfort and strength, helping me get through some of my most challenging times.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would plan a GRAMMY U event featuring PLESTED, a singer and songwriter renowned for co-writing songs for artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Little Mix, Kygo, James Arthur, and Anne-Marie. I am eager to learn more about his career — both his songwriting work for other artists and his own accomplishments as a talented musician.

Connect with Jada:

Email: grammyu.philly@grammy.com

IG: @jadareesemusic

Izzy Hory | San Francisco

Izzy is in her second year at the University of California, Berkeley as a Political Science major. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

As a GRAMMY U Representative, I’m excited to plan and take part in both local and national events, showcasing the countless opportunities available in the music industry to students and non-students alike. I’m also looking forward to facilitating GRAMMY U SoundChecks and collaborating with the amazing team that drives this organization forward.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

Indie music is my favorite genre. It captures so much raw talent and passion. I can listen to it anytime, anywhere, and constantly discover new artists. I love the genuine energy of the indie scene, and seeing these artists perform live in small, intimate venues is an experience you just can’t beat.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

While I'm still exploring what careers the music industry offers, I've always been drawn to the role of a music supervisor. I have a playlist for every mood, moment, and memory, and I'd love the opportunity to channel that passion into curating soundtracks. Music has such a powerful impact, and it would be incredible to create a soundtrack that highlights underrated artists while helping execute a story.

Connect with Izzy:

Email: grammyu.sf@grammy.com

IG: @izzyhh__

Ily Aguilar | Texas

Ily is studying at Texas State University as a Public Relations major. This is her first year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

As a GRAMMY U Representative, I am particularly excited about coordinating GRAMMY U SoundChecks. Over the past two years, every SoundChecks I've attended has been an invaluable learning experience, deepening my understanding of the music industry. I'm definitely thrilled for the Texas Chapter to experience a new year of incredible artists!

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

A music industry professional who inspires me is Meg Miller, Lainey Wilson’s tour manager. After hearing her story and advice at the 2023 GRAMMY U Fall Summit in Nashville, I’ve been in awe of her ever since. Tour management is a career path in the music industry that I’m particularly interested in, and Meg Miller truly embodies the qualities of a girl boss and a successful young professional.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

While I consider myself an enthusiast of every music genre, my favorite has to be Alternative/Folk. With artists like Noah Kahan, Hozier, Mt. Joy, and The Moss frequently topping my playlists, I definitely gravitate towards the Alternative/Folk sound. This genre resonates with me on a deep level, and I truly connect with the passion behind the music.

Connect with Ily:

Email: grammyu.texas@grammy.com

IG: @ily.aguilar

Shaneel Young | Washington D.C.

Shaneel is studying at Howard University as a Business Marketing major. This is her second year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

This year, I’m excited to see GRAMMY U continue its growth, especially with the expansion of membership going into its second year of programming. I’m also eagerly anticipating GRAMMY Week 2025 — after last year's unforgettable experience, I can't wait for what’s to come!

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

My favorite genre of music is R&B. As someone who grew up in church listening and singing to soulful gospel music, R&B shares some of those same nostalgic elements.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would plan an Up Close and Personal event with Coco Jones. While she is a current hit R&B vocalist and actor, Coco has been transparent about her history of challenges in the music industry. I believe sharing her journey with GRAMMY U Members would be extremely inspiring and stand true to the fact that persistence and patience are key!

Connect with Shaneel:

Email: grammyu.dc@grammy.com

IG: @seasonsofshai

Della Anderson | National Membership

Della is studying Songwriting at Belmont University along with minors in Public Relations and Fashion Studies. This is her second year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What are you most looking forward to this year as a GRAMMY U Representative?

I'm most looking forward to getting to meet as many current and future GRAMMY U Members as I can. While I love the events we hold, it's the relationships I've made throughout my time in GRAMMY U that have changed my life the most.

What is your favorite genre of music and why?

I love the singer-songwriter genre because as a songwriter myself, I have a deep appreciation for the bones of a song. Anyone that can make a guitar and vocals seem compelling is an exceptional storyteller and musician in my eyes.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would absolutely love to do a GRAMMY U event centered around either Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter because it’s empowering to see other women succeeding in music, and watching them both grow into their current look and style has been captivating to me. I also appreciate live vocals that blow my socks off, and I think they both knock it out of the park.

Connect with Della:

Email: grammyu.membership@grammy.com

IG: @dellalewismusic

Sam Kopec | National Projects

Sam is a Music Business major at the University of Miami. This is her second year as a GRAMMY U Representative.

What is your dream career in the music industry and why?

I aspire to become an entertainment lawyer or work in the publishing area of the music industry. I find intellectual property rights and regulations extremely interesting and aim to use my knowledge to advocate for artists as technology continues to evolve.

Who is a music industry creator or professional that inspires you and why?

I am most inspired by music industry executive, Jody Gerson. She was the first female CEO of a major music publisher, and her work included managing some of the most expansive and impactful song catalogs. I appreciate her ambition, focus on building authentic relationships, and appreciation for the songwriters and composers who drive the music industry forward.

If you could plan a GRAMMY U event centered around any music creator or professional, who would it be and why?

I would love to spotlight Jack Antonoff in a GRAMMY U event! He is an eleven time GRAMMY-winning producer working with some of the biggest stars in the industry and some of my favorite artists including Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey. I would be interested to hear how his approach differs while working with each artist to let their vision and unique sound shine through as well as his strategy for balancing work with own band, Bleachers. I believe Antonoff’s immense technical knowledge and creativity would provide valuable insight to emerging artists.

Connect with Sam:

Email: grammyu.projects@grammy.com

IG: @sam_kopec

With a voice that sounds as if it were emanating from the depths of a smoky lounge somewhere just off the Las Vegas strip, guitarist and singer Suryakant Sawhney beckons you into a world that is at once foreign and very familiar. "Maybe I'm a fool, a fool like you/ Believing in heaven, from inside a zoo," the Peter Cat Recording Co. frontman croons over a sparse melody that swells with each verse.

Wherever in the world we are — the group's latest album begins with silence, then explodes with a speaker-breaking bang designed to disorient — is irrelevant. Peter Cat Recording Co. may be based in New Delhi, India, but the quintet's sonic locale reflects a global interest. Their latest album, BETA, melds guitar-driven rock with jazz, Indian pop, and psychedelia.

"Making something new now is this concerted process you have to take," Sawhney tells GRAMMY.com. "You mix your own culture with what you learned outside your own culture, and you start making these new mutants sort of songs."

These musical mutations appear and evolve through Peter Cat Recording Co.'s catalog. Over multiple studio albums and a compilation, the group has tackled big band ("Portrait Of A Time"), dance music ("Love Demons") and, more recently, surrealist disco on BETA's "21c." But BETA offers more than simply scratching the genre-bending itches of its members; it delivers "stories about the future told 50 years in the past, to make sense of the present, on our only home, planet Earth,” per a press release on the largely songwriting-based project.

The self-produced album tackles themes of marriage, childbirth and beyond. In fact, a child was crucial in the name of their record: Members put five potential album titles in a hat and let drummer Karan Singh's 6-month-old son pick one. BETA — a Hindi word for "child" — was the winner.

On Aug. 14, the group will kick off a 77-date tour through the U.S., Europe, and India, featuring both headlining sets and support for Khruangbin. Suryakant Sawhney and multi-instrumentalist Kartik Sundareshan Pillai spoke with GRAMMY.com about creating BETA, the state of rock bands in India, and more.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Tell us a bit about the seeds that were planted that led to this new record.

Suryakant Sawhney: We had a specific recording session, which I think really jumpstarted the whole process. We all lived in Goa for the last few years, and there was this one little house we rented out; this old, 2-300-year old little cottage, which was owned by a priest. I was trying to do a film shoot or a music video shoot or something, and it just sounded great and looked beautiful.

So we decided to rent it from the church. We landed up there at 2, 3 a.m., set up for a few hours, and I think recorded a bunch of music for five, six hours 'til the dawn.

Kartik Sundareshan Pillai: I think it's that recording space. Later on, [we went to] Joshua Tree and there's another recording studio over there that we worked at for two weeks. Plus, just having a bunch of songs that we knew were going to fit together.

How was the vibe out in Joshua Tree?

Pillai: Yeah, that was pretty incredible. Rabbits and cherries. It was a very, very, very pretty place.

And take us into the writing of the record a little bit. How does that work with you guys?

Sawhney: There's basically three different ways we go about writing a song. One will be, one of the songwriters — in most cases, it's me right now — I'll bring a song which is more than half finished in terms of arrangement, writing lyrics, where the song space is. Then the rest of the band joins in and we try to finish it.

Then there's something which is far more spare, and then everybody just takes a go at it, like adding parts. And then the third variation, there's almost nothing, which is rarer. We’re very much a songwriter-driven project.

Then it takes years to just come to terms with it, make our peace with it, because we also produce it ourselves. We get into this unholy cycle of making it, hating it, wasting our time, then re-recording it, then looking back and being like, "Oh, that was good enough. Why dont it again?" Finally, at the end of the day, you settle with what you have.

I was reading a 'Variety' interview with you guys last year and they called you “One of the last few remaining bands in India.” That was a year ago. What's the landscape in your slice of the country right now as far as indie and guitar music?

Pillai: I think it's more electronic [music happening], but there are lots of bands now slowly coming back. There was one period of time where there was almost nothing, and then now they're starting to kind of pop up here and there, like Donraj, All Parks Are Green. Pacifist.

Then there's some friends of ours who also have makeshift bands. There's another band called Nigambodh.

Sawhney: Who makes a living off being a band? I would say at this point, [there are] very few left.

Kind of the same in America, to be honest. What precipitated interest kicking up, or the number of bands kicking up in the last year or so?

Pillai: Boredom, I guess.

Sawhney: I think it's just that every new generation has to make the same mistake and figure out this is not a very economically viable process. They don't realize it because being a band is initially so cool, or it feels good, then it gets complicated.

There's a lot of hip-hop being made right now in India. It's finally caught up here. And there's little electronic music. I think people who make bands always will definitely for a while be more marginal in the music scene, just because it's such a labor-intensive process, as compared to the other forms of music.

Read more: The Evolution Of Bollywood Music In 10 Songs: From "Awaara Hoon" To "Naatu Naatu"

I also perform as an electronic musician, and I can tell you that's just easier. I go on stage with my mic and my DJ console and everything, and I'm basically doing karaoke. All of that is just so simple compared to being in a band, which is a labor-intensive, economic-intensive life-intensive process. It's a real gamble.

What has Peter Cat Recording Co. done to engender that resilience, as a band, but also a business?

Sawhney: I think we've definitely had moments where it looked really bleak and difficult, and something lucky happens. We also persevered. We did a lot of it ourselves initially and we still do, in terms of learning how to record ourselves, make our own videos, produce ourselves, managing the whole thing. We learned how to produce the music ourselves at a very early stage, and that made us self-sufficient.

Pillai: Songwriting to recording, to producing, mixing, mastering, artwork — literally everything we did learn. Eventually we got management and we also got lucky with labels and people approaching us.

Can you talk about crafting the sound of the new record, or how you wanted it to come across from a production standpoint?

Sawhney: At least in the production aspect, I think there's a bit more experimentation in terms of bringing in non-classically band sounds, moving away from just a guitar-driven thing. There's a lot more sample electronic music, hip-hop related elements. That just comes from the fact that we make multiple kinds of music individually. The band is sort of just one of our things and it becomes something we bring to the band and it adds up slowly.

Some songs just take on a life of their own that way. From my angle, there was definitely a concerted effort to move away from the older sound of Bismillah. I was hoping that there are some instances in the new album where you could sit down and be like, I'm not sure what this is, and still preserve the fact that it's enjoyable and accessible at some point.

Making something new now is this concerted process you have to take. You mix your own culture with what you learned outside your own culture, and you start making these new mutants sort of songs. [The trick is] how to make them sound sincere in a way, without just forcing it.

Pillai: In the songs that I ended up writing, they just come in some kind of burst. For one of the songs, how we actually ended up composing it was [keyboard/trumpet player Rohit] Gupta played the keyboard separately. I went in an hour later when I had woken up and I just sang to what he had already played; that's pretty much already 70 percent the song. I mostly just tend to go with that first moment of inspiration, just follow it through.

Any MVP moments from your bandmates that you'd like to shout out on the record?

Sawhney: Some of them were in Joshua Tree. I think after the last tour we did in America, we had some great moments of [working] on something on the spot.

Pillai: [On "Just Another Love Song"], Suryakant and [bassist Dhruv] Bhola, just played it through. I think we took one take of this song. It was completely fine and we just kept it.

Awesome. And what do you guys have coming up? What would you like to plug?

Sawhney: We have that new album apparently. And then we have a tour coming up, an elaborate, long, drawn-out tour. We'll go to America, we'll go to Europe and we'll end in India in December. And I think in the meantime, we'll be making some more videos. We'll be doing the standard stuff right now and hopefully by the end we'll twist into something more unnecessary.

Where do you see your regional scene going in the next five, 10 years? What trajectory is it on?

Pillai: Not really a cohort. It's just a bunch of bands. The indie scene by itself has been getting bigger ever since 2007, or the '90s even. [I'd expect] more festivals, just more stuff happening in general. Five, 10 years, it should just be bigger,

Sawhney: Bands I don't see going anywhere. I think hip-hop will reach some sort of crescendo. Electronic music is always going to do okay because I think rich people really enjoy it in India. I don't know if that's pessimistic, but that's kind how it works.

Pillai: I think everything's going to be fine.

Do you have a favorite song on 'BETA'?

Pillai: I believe it was the third song, "Suddenly." But it all flows nicely. What's your favorite song?

Sawhney: "Beautiful Life," because I hate my life. [Chuckles lightly.] So it's nice to write a song about a better life.

With reporting by Morgan Enos and Jessica Lipsky

Although they have yet to release an album, six-member girl group KATSEYE has already racked up a passionate global fanbase. Those fans have eagerly followed KATSEYE's journey so far, which span nearly three years and multiple continents.

KATSEYE is the result of a highly anticipated, first-of-its-kind partnership between American label Geffen Records — which counts Olivia Rodrigo and Camila Cabello on its roster — and HYBE Entertainment, best known as the home of BTS and subject of a new GRAMMY Museum exhibit. Thanks to the collaboration between two cultures with a track record of turning artists into household names, KATSEYE's Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan are poised for the global stage.

"This is the most ambitious project both HYBE and Geffen have ever been involved in," Geffen Records President Tom March (now Chairman and CEO of Capitol Records)said during a 2023 press conference, per Weverse Magazine. "We are hoping to create something that genuinely moves culture with a group that makes magazine covers and headlines festivals."

Ahead of the Aug. 16 release of their debut album SIS (Soft Is Strong), GRAMMY.com rounded up everything you need to know about the rising stars, from their in-depth training process to their global roots.

They Competed Against More Than 100,000 Hopefuls

In late 2021, HYBE and Geffen kicked off a worldwide search for potential members of the group that would become KATSEYE. "In the city of dreams where stars are born, an unprecedented girl group will rise," boasted the promotional video.

Through online and offline auditions in 15 cities around the world, more than 120,000 talented artists tried out. Only the top 20 girls were selected to become finalists — an acceptance rate tougher than elite universities.

Revealing the finalists at an August 2023 press conference in Los Angeles, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk said, "I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while," per Billboard.

Geffen Records CEO John Janick shared the same sentiments. "To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its-kind experience in music," he said during the press conference.

They Went Through The Intense K-Pop Trainee System

The 20 finalists were enrolled in what was dubbed "The Debut: Dream Academy," an "X Factor"-style survival show that was broadcasted in real time on social media for nearly three months in late 2023.

"Dream Academy" offered the finalists a crash course in the infamously rigorous K-pop trainee system, one where aspiring stars train intensely in everything from vocals to dance and foreign languages, all with the aim of developing into well-rounded artists. Through a combination of audience voting and evaluations from a panel of experts (which included executives from HYBE and Geffen), the show whittled down the 20 finalists to the debut group.

The show consisted of three rounds with distinct "missions" that tested each finalists on their dance and vocal prowess, as well as their teamwork and performance skills. The contestants were primarily based in Los Angeles but also had the opportunity to travel to South Korea to train directly in HYBE’s Seoul headquarters.

The final lineup was revealed live on Nov. 17, 2023, with a studio audience in Los Angeles and thousands of viewers watching in real time. The energy and anticipation was palpable as each member was announced one by one to tears of joy and screams of excitement.

"I can’t even put it into words," expressed Lara after she was selected as part of the final lineup. "This is everything I ever wanted in my entire life."

The official group name of KATSEYE was also revealed on that date, signaling the transition from the trainee process to becoming a full-fledged group.

The entire training and development journey was documented by Netflix and will be released as a series under the name "Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE" on Aug. 21. The show promises to "pull back the curtain on the rigorous process of making a global music sensation."

KATSEYE Members Hail From Around the World

The six members of KATSEYE represent a mosaic of cultures and backgrounds from around the world. Sophia is from the Philippines, while Yoonchae was born in Korea. Manon was raised in Switzerland to Swiss Italian and Ghanian parents.

The three American members also have global roots: Danielle is Venezuelan Cuban, Lara is Indian, and Megan is Chinese Singaporean.

While KATSEYE’s music is sung in English, the members are also fluent in their fair share of languages, allowing them to connect with fans around the globe.

The diversity of the members even influenced the group name. KATSEYE is an alternate spelling of the stone cat’s eye, which "shows off a variety of colors depending on its direction, much like all of us who come from all different cultures and backgrounds," the members told Sweety High.

Industry Elites Form Part Of Their Team

Even ahead of their debut album drop, KATSEYE has already worked with some of the most prominent names in the entertainment world.

The group’s creative director is Humberto Leon, best known as co-founder of iconic fashion brand Opening Ceremony. His vision helped create "Dream Academy’s" whimsical Art Film of the finalists performing inside an empty school; he’s also had input on all the creative decisions for the group, from styling to posing.

"I want each and every one of them to stand out," Leon told the New York Times.

KATSEYE’s first single, "Debut", was produced by three-time GRAMMY winner and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who has written songs for icons like Taylor Swift and Adele.

Their Labelmates Are K-Pop Superstars

As part of HYBE Entertainment, KATSEYE is the successor to some of the biggest names in the K-pop world. HYBE is best known for launching BTS in 2013, when the label was still known as Big Hit Entertainment.

HYBE has since expanded and launched groups including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, LE SSERAFIM, and New Jeans, who have all achieved massive heights, from topping the Billboard charts to performing at Coachella.

Ahead of the "Dream Academy" competition, HYBE artists imparted words of wisdom to the contestants in a video letter. "The more challenges you face, you’ll have more worries," said Le Sserafim member Sakura, who made her own debut through a similar competition show in South Korea. "I think the most important thing is to have fun!"

Read more: 5 Takeaways From The GRAMMY Museum’s "HYBE: We Believe In Music" Exhibit

KATSEYE's Music Is About Self Confidence

Although the group has released just two singles so far, KATSEYE’s music has already honed in on themes of confidence and empowerment. The first single, aptly titled "Debut," is an upbeat pop anthem that boasts the group’s self-assurance despite being industry newcomers. Second single "Touch" is an R&B and drum-and-bass-influenced ode to independence.

Their debut single is "really just about sisterhood and being confident and strong and powerful and the best version of yourself," Lara told Teen Vogue.

Listeners can expect a continuation of this theme on their upcoming album, SIS (Soft Is Strong). "Our debut comes with a lot of confidence and a lot of willpower and passion," Sophia hinted in the group’s intro film.