--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started rapping when I was young, like…" description: "\"I started rapping when I was young, like 12, 11. But I wasn't really talking about nothing and it didn't really get me nowhere.\" — Tee Grizzley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/tee-grizzley-12377_like_i-started-rapping-when-i-was-young-like_178896.jpg" --- # I started rapping when I was young, like 12, 11. But I… ![“I started rapping when I was young, like 12, 11. But I wasn't really talking about nothing and it didn't really get me nowhere.” quote by Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/tee-grizzley-12377_like_i-started-rapping-when-i-was-young-like_178896.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/tee-grizzley-12377_like_i-started-rapping-when-i-was-young-like_178896.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/tee-grizzley-12377_like_i-started-rapping-when-i-was-young-like_178896.jpg) > “I started rapping when I was young, like 12, 11. But I wasn't really talking about nothing and it didn't really get me nowhere.” [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early attempts at rap lacked purpose and direction, leading to little progress. **In simple terms:** Early rap lacked focus. Key Takeaway Find purpose before persisting. Themes growth creativity career focus learning Mood reflective hopeful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - writing practice - studio sessions - feedback loops - mentorship Key Concepts Artistic development goal setting self‑assessment Questions to Reflect On - What drives your creative work? - How can you add meaning to your practice? A Different Perspective Talent alone isn’t enough without direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Rapping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapping/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [Once I started rapping, I had to start dancing more. I had to really use my craft, and take everything I did for fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-freedia/once-i-started-rapping-i-had-to-start-dancing-more-i-had-to-really/) [Big Freedia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-freedia/) > [When I first started rapping, I was like, 'I'm gonna be, like, the female Eminem.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanel-west-coast/when-i-first-started-rapping-i-was-like-i-m-gonna-be-like-the-female/) [Chanel West Coast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanel-west-coast/) > [I started rapping on the station promos. We did them over all of the top hits, so people got to hear me rap over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludacris/i-started-rapping-on-the-station-promos-we-did-them-over-all-of-the/) [Ludacris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludacris/) > [Yeah, I was a brother on the streets of Compton doing a lot of things most people look down on but it did pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eazy-e/yeah-i-was-a-brother-on-the-streets-of-compton-doing-a-lot-of-things/) [Eazy-E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eazy-e/) > [I must say, Eminem is definitely the reason why I originally started rapping, like many other white kids my age. I also remember listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-webby/i-must-say-eminem-is-definitely-the-reason-why-i-originally-started/) [Chris Webby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-webby/) > [When I was trying to upload my song that I had just recorded when I started rapping, I didn't know what name I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sexyy-red/when-i-was-trying-to-upload-my-song-that-i-had-just-recorded-when-i/) [Sexyy Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sexyy-red/) > [Before I started rapping, I was into dancing. I felt like God put it on my mind to rap. When I first stepped into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-chuckee/before-i-started-rapping-i-was-into-dancing-i-felt-like-god-put-it-on/) [Lil Chuckee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-chuckee/) > [When I heard my first rap song and figured out what that was, I kind've stuck to it. I always wanted to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/when-i-heard-my-first-rap-song-and-figured-out-what-that-was-i-kind/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [I have always been writing but when I started rapping I was just playing around. My friends told me I needed a rap name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dreezy/i-have-always-been-writing-but-when-i-started-rapping-i-was-just/) Dreezy > [I'm definitely inspired by Michael Jackson. I watch all his videos all the time. And Busta Rhymes, early Busta Rhymes - I really was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyga/i-m-definitely-inspired-by-michael-jackson-i-watch-all-his-videos-all/) [Tyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyga/) > [Around when I turned 17 and I bought my own studio equipment and started recording myself, I kinda found my own voice. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/around-when-i-turned-17-and-i-bought-my-own-studio-equipment-and/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [I went in reverse with this whole thing. People I've toured with were kids who consumed as much hip-hop as they could. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-flay/i-went-in-reverse-with-this-whole-thing-people-i-ve-toured-with-were/) [K. Flay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-flay/) > [When I first started rapping, when I switched my style to more like a punch line style - this is when I'm like 13…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/when-i-first-started-rapping-when-i-switched-my-style-to-more-like-a/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [I always wrote poems when I was a little girl, and I loved hip hop music, and I kind of just started writing poems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanel-west-coast/i-always-wrote-poems-when-i-was-a-little-girl-and-i-loved-hip-hop/) [Chanel West Coast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanel-west-coast/) > [I started rapping before anybody had ever bought a car from it. It was truly about the art form and the culture, more so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/i-started-rapping-before-anybody-had-ever-bought-a-car-from-it-it-was/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) ## More by Tee Grizzley > [I can't freestyle or else I'll just start saying anything, so I'll write the song first and then record. I'll rap to the producer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-can-t-freestyle-or-else-i-ll-just-start-saying-anything-so-i-ll/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I read all types of books. I read Christian books, I read black novels, I read religious books. I read stuff like 'Rich Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-read-all-types-of-books-i-read-christian-books-i-read-black-novels/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [God just kept me on the right path. I never smoked, drank, none of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/god-just-kept-me-on-the-right-path-i-never-smoked-drank-none-of-that/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I'm just gonna keep making good music and continue to stay in tune with the people and with reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-m-just-gonna-keep-making-good-music-and-continue-to-stay-in-tune/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [Donald Trump is a good businessman, and I say that because he made a lot of money, so he got to be. As far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/donald-trump-is-a-good-businessman-and-i-say-that-because-he-made-a/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I can't even go to Rolling Loud and perform without the police and the news lying on me, trying to lock me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-can-t-even-go-to-rolling-loud-and-perform-without-the-police-and/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [It's kind of hard to tell your life story and state all facts and it still be sweet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/it-s-kind-of-hard-to-tell-your-life-story-and-state-all-facts-and-it/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I realized that I got problems bigger than anything that can happen in prison. So I started reading books, talking to people who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-realized-that-i-got-problems-bigger-than-anything-that-can-happen/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [TV shows help pass a lot of my time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/tv-shows-help-pass-a-lot-of-my-time/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [My favorite Taylor Swift song is between 'Blank Space' and 'Wildest Dreams.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/my-favorite-taylor-swift-song-is-between-blank-space-and-wildest/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I really can't make no wrong moves out here, because just as quick as you can get people to love you, you can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-really-can-t-make-no-wrong-moves-out-here-because-just-as-quick-as/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I have a relationship with God. I do believe in God, The Son, and Holy Ghost. But I respect everybody, and as far as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-have-a-relationship-with-god-i-do-believe-in-god-the-son-and-holy/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I think my genre is more 'reality rap'; I talk about my life and the struggles that I've been through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-think-my-genre-is-more-reality-rap-i-talk-about-my-life-and-the/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [When you in the positive light and good space, do everything to keep it that way and be real careful what you say and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/when-you-in-the-positive-light-and-good-space-do-everything-to-keep/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) > [I've had a lot of big impacts before the music as far as deaths and tragedies and experiences in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tee-grizzley/i-ve-had-a-lot-of-big-impacts-before-the-music-as-far-as-deaths-and/) [Tee Grizzley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) [Explore all 55 Tee Grizzley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tee-grizzley/) ## More Like quotes > [Do I look like a fool to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/do-i-look-like-a-fool-to-you/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [I feel like I definitely have a real sporty style, more so than a lot of people in G.O.O.D. 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