TLM
Hailing from South Carolina, TLM is a bonafide all rounder. With a vocal talent that can see her switch from a competent lyricist to a soulful songstress in a matter of bars, this singing, rapping, dancing sensation has the floor to herself.
Recognizing the lack of female presence in the Hip-Hop, TLM is ready to reassert some of the authority that the femcees of the 80’s and 90’s had to their credit on this side of the new Millenium.
Inspired by many and yet still able to shroud herself with her own personal cloak of uniqueness TLM is already marking her territory. With her relentless work ethic in place and her team building bridges in the background, nothing can prevent this young South Carolina native from reaching the top.
How did you discover your talent for writing?
I first began writing around the age of 12. I wrote a lot of poetry and short stories mainly about my life, the people in it, nature, life and love. I knew it was something I was definitely good at when I won various creative writing contests around that age and placed third in the state of South Carolina for a speech I wrote about changing the world at 13.
Was performing something you enjoyed from a young age?
I actually always loved to dance. I was always competitive because I liked to hang and play around the boys so I enjoyed athletic sports more. Lip Singing and dancing was just the greatest when I was young because I wanted to be those talented artists.
Being that you master a whole lot of different talents do you find it hard to balance everything?
The only time it becomes difficult is when I am trying to perfect and work hard on my choreography and dance, writing a song, than actually memorizing my flow to present it during a performance. But it’s all fertilizing my mind ya know.
You are an accomplished lyricist, do you feel that there is an opening for you in Hip-Hop today?
Yes. Now in these times there is like a cross over happening. A lot of the classic 80’s and 90’s feel and styles are coming back with those artists who can do it. I classic flow that was once started in our communities is being recognized but there aren’t a lot of ladies representing true lyricism right now… I intend to break that…
You embrace various sounds with your music, who has been your biggest musical inspiration and why?
I don’t limit myself to just one artist… I love dance, pulse music, classic underground hip hop, and neo soul. I have even grown a love for the punk rock groups. If it’s real, it inspires me.
How easy is it for a female to get attention in the music bizz today?
I feel like it’s easier if she showed skin and had major sex appeal. This industry is very male dominated which artists like myself are trying to break. Creativity, volume, classiness, and truth are much needed with our women today. I think if any female artist brings that she’ll do well.
Various femcees have opted to take the ‘sex sells’ route when it comes to marketing themselves, do you believe this encourages females to be taken seriously in the industry, or does It ‘lower standards’ to a certain degree?
It lowers the standards… blocks the minds… and puts a bad curse of what a female mc is supposed to be and represent. But… I do believe a woman can be sexy, classy, whit a sick ass flow like Lauryn Hill, Rah Digga, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Left Eye, Da Brat. There’s many more you know that but I don’t think that’s gonna last long, this whole sex sells whit female artists thing. It’s gonna be there always, but people want something new… and that’s all you see now when you turn on the TV. Too much man too much.
You are from South Carolina, how is the music scene there?
Very down south. A majority of our sound is based on hard 808’s, two- stepping grooves, and catching club moves. There are many artists like my self who have a wider view of music and their style is classic… but it’s what it is.
You have been busy performing show, what is it about performing that you enjoy the most?
Watching the people react to my flow. My confidence is lifted when I grab the mic and I love it. I love to see young women, older women, men, children, whomever, inspired and filled with enjoyment because of my music… that’s the best.
Does extensive travelling to perform have a knock on effect to your work as a choreographer?
Yes and no. Whenever I’m not looking for a show to perform at I practice… I studied some at Columbia College and plan on finishing as a dance major. I make time for it always. It wears on my body though… I am so exhausted sometimes.
Your album Acronyms is a very solid introduction to you as an entertainer, how was it recording that album and how long did it take?
It took close to a year. It was a artist development process also just trying to touch all aspects of who I am trying to be. It was exciting, frustrating, but also nervous because I didn’t know how people were going to react to me.
What would you say has been your biggest hurdle to clear so far in your career?
Getting respect as a female mc with hip hop being the way it is now. Staying encouraged to keep on going despite surroundings staying true to classic art and not selling my self short. Promoting and getting the funds to push my self and my camp out there. Money money money money !!!!!
What is the future for TLM?
Seeing the world. Rocking many stages. Making good music. Inspiring people through the art form of hip hop and dance.
Melanie Cornish
Hailing from South Carolina, TLM is a bonafide all rounder. With a vocal talent that can see her switch from a competent lyricist to a soulful songstress in a matter of bars, this singing, rapping, dancing sensation has the floor to herself.
Recognizing the lack of female presence in the Hip-Hop, TLM is ready to reassert some of the authority that the femcees of the 80’s and 90’s had to their credit on this side of the new Millenium.
Inspired by many and yet still able to shroud herself with her own personal cloak of uniqueness TLM is already marking her territory. With her relentless work ethic in place and her team building bridges in the background, nothing can prevent this young South Carolina native from reaching the top.
How did you discover your talent for writing?
I first began writing around the age of 12. I wrote a lot of poetry and short stories mainly about my life, the people in it, nature, life and love. I knew it was something I was definitely good at when I won various creative writing contests around that age and placed third in the state of South Carolina for a speech I wrote about changing the world at 13.
Was performing something you enjoyed from a young age?
I actually always loved to dance. I was always competitive because I liked to hang and play around the boys so I enjoyed athletic sports more. Lip Singing and dancing was just the greatest when I was young because I wanted to be those talented artists.
Being that you master a whole lot of different talents do you find it hard to balance everything?
The only time it becomes difficult is when I am trying to perfect and work hard on my choreography and dance, writing a song, than actually memorizing my flow to present it during a performance. But it’s all fertilizing my mind ya know.
You are an accomplished lyricist, do you feel that there is an opening for you in Hip-Hop today?
Yes. Now in these times there is like a cross over happening. A lot of the classic 80’s and 90’s feel and styles are coming back with those artists who can do it. I classic flow that was once started in our communities is being recognized but there aren’t a lot of ladies representing true lyricism right now… I intend to break that…
You embrace various sounds with your music, who has been your biggest musical inspiration and why?
I don’t limit myself to just one artist… I love dance, pulse music, classic underground hip hop, and neo soul. I have even grown a love for the punk rock groups. If it’s real, it inspires me.
How easy is it for a female to get attention in the music bizz today?
I feel like it’s easier if she showed skin and had major sex appeal. This industry is very male dominated which artists like myself are trying to break. Creativity, volume, classiness, and truth are much needed with our women today. I think if any female artist brings that she’ll do well.
Various femcees have opted to take the ‘sex sells’ route when it comes to marketing themselves, do you believe this encourages females to be taken seriously in the industry, or does It ‘lower standards’ to a certain degree?