It’s All Love: Four Years in the Making, Nascent Calgary MC Tea Fannie’s Debut Has Arrived
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder)
If you’ve spent much time around Calgary’s hip-hop scene over the last few years, you’re probably familiar with the city’s rapidly ascending underground rap mascot, Tea Fannie. And now, with the highly anticipated release of her debut album It’s All Love on September 27, she’s poised to make her mark not only in the city but on Canada’s broader music landscape. A fixture in local shows and a stand-up supporter for Alberta hip-hop, Tea Fannie has spent years perfecting her craft, all while harboring a community spirit that speaks volumes about her love for the culture.
But who exactly is Tea Fannie?
“Well, my real name is Tiffannie, spelled T-I-F-F-A-N-N-I-E. I just took out the ‘I-F’ – the question in my name – and there’s Tea Fannie,” she laughs, explaining the moniker that is quickly becoming a staple in Calgary’s independent music circles. Growing up immersed in Alberta’s hip-hop, she’s carried that energy into her role today. “I don’t know if I’m more of a cheerleader or a performer, but that’s what I do. I’m out here. I’m outside,” she says.
With a presence that lights up any room, Tea Fannie embodies the essence of community, blending her role as an artist with that of a cultural ambassador. Her debut release has been a nonlinear process of nearly half a decade, and the path leading to It’s All Love has had its fair share of twists and turns along the way.
A Labor of Passion
Tea Fannie’s excitement is palpable as she talks about the album’s origins. “We started with the idea of a three-song EP,” she explains, referencing the early sessions with Toronto producer Junia-T. “But we ended up with 11 songs we just couldn’t cut.” Through every track, a recurring theme emerged: love, in all its forms. “It’s a love-hate relationship with politics, or ‘I’ve never been loved,’ or my love for weed. It all has something to do with love.”
The album’s title, It’s All Love, embodies the concept of art interpretation, allowing listeners to decipher the phrase however they see fit. “You can take it as ‘whatever, bro, it’s all love,’ or as deeply as ‘it’s all love,’ depending on your mindset,” she says, underlining the subtle complexities of the project. More than just an album, It’s All Love is an exploration of her growth as an artist and as a person, capturing moments of both raw intensity and natural levity throughout its 11 tracks.
Collaboration and Craftsmanship
What sets Tea Fannie apart from other emerging artists is her collaborative spirit. Throughout the creation of It’s All Love, she found herself surrounded by an impressive team, including Junia-T and Only1KNG, both of whom work with Toronto powerhouse Jessie Reyez. “I didn’t want to waste the opportunity,” Tea says, reflecting on her decision to wait until she secured a grant from the Canada Council to fund the project.
She describes the collaborative energy of those Toronto sessions as pivotal, highlighting the role of Toronto MC Ice Tha One, who features prominently on several tracks. “Ice was at every session, and now she’s on half of the tracks,” Tea notes. “It was such a comfortable experience. We were in her studio, using all her stuff, and I got to create.” The album even benefits from unexpected contributions, like a trumpet player who happened to be outside the studio one day. “He came in and laid down trumpet sounds for the album—it’s always been that collaborative spirit,” she adds. Whether amongst peers in Calgary’s underground, or working with her Toronto fraternity; Tea has framed her process around musical allyship, surfacing as a real strength on the album and as an asset for future industry endeavors.
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder)
Hershe Tea: The Alter-Ego
While Tea Fannie’s lyrics are filled with depth and introspection, her alter-ego, Hershe Tea, adds a playful, bold contrast. “Hershe Tea is the freakier side of me,” she admits, laughing. “You’ll never catch me in a bodysuit on stage, but Hershe Tea might. My dad knows not to click on anything with Hershe Tea in it—it's not for him.”
Having an alias or alter-ego isn’t something particularly new to the rap format (think Nicki Minaj’s Roman, Eminem’s Slim Shady, or any one of MF Doom’s many), however, Tea Fannie’s relationship with Hershe Tea offers an alternative outlet while maintaining a level of respect with a broader audience, and avoiding the degree of sanitation that usually comes with the territory.
This duality reflects Tea Fannie’s ability to embrace different aspects of her personality, all while keeping it real. “We all have different sides, and I like to play with that,” she says, speaking to the liberating nature of music and self-expression.
A City on the Verge
As much as It’s All Love is a personal triumph for Tea Fannie, it’s also a reflection of her deep commitment to the Calgary music scene. “I almost moved to Toronto, but I thought, ‘What if I did that in Calgary?’” she recalls, explaining her decision to stay in her home city and build something here. “I wanted Calgary to be the next big city, and now I’m seeing artists popping up and doing amazing things.”
Her track “5AM Joint” sums it up best with the line, “Now tell me, is Alberta up to par?” And Tea Fannie’s answer is clear: “Yeah, we are.”
She envisions Calgary’s hip-hop scene as a movement ready to burst onto the national stage. “I like to say it’s nine months pregnant. I don’t know who that person is going to be, but someone will bust the door wide open, and everyone will start seeing all the cultural stuff we’ve been doing.”
Photo Credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder)
Vulnerability in the Spotlight
As Tea Fannie prepares for the release of It’s All Love, one thing is certain—she wants listeners to walk away feeling like they know her. “I’m very vulnerable in it. Sometimes it’s super TMI vulnerable, but I want people to get to know me through this album.”
For Tea Fannie, it’s about more than just catchy hooks or putting up numbers—it’s about connection. “I want people to feel like, ‘Oh, I think I know you, Fannie. We’re friends now.’” And with her candid lyrics, heartfelt delivery, and unwavering support of her community, it’s hard not to feel that way.
As September 27 approaches, Calgary’s hip-hop scene is ready to embrace one of its own, and Tea Fannie is more than ready to deliver. For her, It’s All Love—and that’s a sentiment we can all get behind.
Tea Fannie’s debut album ‘It’s All Love’ is out now on all streaming platforms and bandcamp. Check out the music video for single “Rap Again” down below.