To Keep an Eye On: Teiu is the DJ and Producer Who Will Dominate the Brazilian Underground

Content provided by Puma Brazil. 

In the Cambuci neighborhood, Teiu welcomed us at the entrance of the building where he lives and took us to the apartment, where we encountered a cozy place full of culture. On the walls, paintings by various Brazilian artists, like GG do SUSTO'S, filled the spaces while showing part of the family's background.  

Right off the bat, the most impressive feature is the custom-made record shelf, which occupies a prominent place in the living room. From floor to ceiling, 20 niches are filled with records of various types, while three other dividers house the speakers and a mini gallery with various objects such as paintings and figurines. 

While we looked around, Teiu began to select some records to show us and to play. Not by chance, the first was ‘Ye’ by Kanye West, a name that sparked the young producer's curiosity in blending rap with other musical genres. The second chosen record was 808 & Heartbreak, another classic by Kanye, followed by the LP of Around the World, a track released in 1996 by the duo that revolutionized electronic music, Daft Punk.  

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Raised in an environment rich in music and street culture, Teiu started playing at the age of eight and dedicated himself seriously at 12. “Since I was little, I have been very interested in art and music, especially. I have gone through various genres like rap, MPB, reggae, dancehall, among others. It was quite natural to start playing because I wanted to play the songs I liked. I have been playing for 7 years already.” 

The family turntable occupies the space in the living room almost always belonging to the television, right in front of the sofa. The idea of entertainment became quite clear as more and more references sprang from the shelf and from all corners of the apartment. As the clicks accumulated, Teiu began to feel more at ease. The DJ speaks softly and with few words (far from being unfriendly, to be clear).

We finished taking pictures in the apartment and, while we were leaving the building, I saw a cap from the collab High Company x Mudo, a rare piece of national streetwear, hanging on a hook on the side of the building. I asked if it was his, and Teiu said that he had given it as a gift to the building's doorman. 

We headed to a small market that we spotted during the trip. A shop with its front lined with crates of fruits and vegetables, run by an elderly Japanese man who gave us permission to photograph in front of his business (when I entered, I couldn't help but notice the scooter parked right in the middle of the store). Teiu sat on the edge and we continued taking pictures. 

Still as a child, Teiu was introduced to the music of Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang Clan, and Parteum. Now, at 16 years old, the DJ maintains a line of research focused on European genres, especially from the UK, such as grime, UK drill, garage, and baseline, in addition to Austrian and German trap. “The music from the Sport Records label is always present in my set. I can see more of my lifestyle in the European subcultures.” 

When it comes to Brazil, Teiu says that his biggest influences are right here, among his friends and close ones. Destravalt, Dimsan, and his crew Impala Crime, Antconstantino, Cesrv, Sants, SonoTWS, and Fleezus are some of his biggest inspirations and teachers in music. It is clear that the young member of Tracksuit Mafia and co-founder of the project ELLÖS has influential and significant names around him. 

Teiu's ambition is to gain recognition as a DJ and electronic music producer. “In the coming years, I hope to continually raise the level of the more events with the Tracksuit Mafia and my sets.” In the coming months, Teiu already has a full schedule and a big party where he will perform, so keep your eyes and ears open for the steps and sets of this name that promises to add much to the underground scene of São Paulo.