24hourhiphop.com chopped it up with a singer all the way from Aruba who goes by the name of $tekaly (Tha Singer). She tells us about her life at home, music career, life growing up, she also tells us about her new music and videos along with her upcoming mixtape. Check out the interview below and check out what she had to say!

24HHH: How did you come up with your Artist name? Tell us about it.

$tekaly (Tha Singer): I like to say that my name $tekaly (Tha Singer) is a compound name. It comes from “Steve” a greek name meaning “Crown”. And “Kaly” comes from the Greek word “Kalos” meaning “Beauty” and with all that, we came up with “Crowned Beauty”. A name given to me in 2012 by my Music Manager Mr. Steve of D.Y. Entertainment Sint Maarten. (Tha Singer) is to remind people that Stekaly is my alter EGO. As many know me as Sumaiyah (Tha Poet) from where I come from.

24HHH: Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): I was born on Saint Maarten and raised in Aruba. Growing up there life was definitely not a bed of roses. At a very early age I knew what it was like to have very little, I was racially discriminated, abused and neglected. Was involved in gang activities for a couple of years and then I was put on the streets, which resulted in me becoming a foster kid. Growing up I’d always have music playing, I was always singing and dancing or writing a poem ( I didn’t even know they called them poems back then) and I was also in Choirs all my life coming up. These were the only things that give me hope and strength and helped me understand life better while growing up in my circumstances.

24HHH: Who were you raised by? Tell us your family situation. Got any ?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): Early part of my childhood I was raised with my stepdad and mom. Experienced a lot of down moments and abuse. Then for one year I lived with a Christian family who made sure I got an education, then I came back to Saint Maarten to live with my Dad after meeting him for the first time that same year at the age of 14. Lived with Dad for about a year and also encountered verbal, mental and physical abuse. Then I lived with my Aunt for 4 years while continuing school and got kicked out of home at the age of 18 when I met my boyfriend who later became my husband, later got divorced which led me back to picked up with music and Poetry again..

24HHH: Brothers, sisters, or any siblings? Tell us about your childhood,
and how it impacted your music?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): I have 3 young brothers 2 from my mom’s side and 1 from my dad’s side. I have 2 sisters..1 from my moms’ side and the other one is an adopted sister from my fathers’ last marriage. I lived with my siblings from my moms’ end up until I was 12 and then I never saw them again. I met my brother and adopted sister for a short time and haven’t seen them in a while as well. Hope one day I will. This impacted my music a lot in a way that I always carried a deep burden, a deep feeling of being separated from the world or just being different. I allowed the disconnection to be translated into writing and singing and in doing this, Music and Poetry became my prescriptive medication.

Check out $tekaly (Tha Singer) – Reflection (Official Video)

24HHH: What age did you start making music?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): At the age of 7 or 8 when I was in a school Choir in Aruba. We recorded a album back then.

24HHH: What inspired you to pursue making music?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): Everything!!. The way music makes me feel when I put my experiences into a melody. For me the greatest desire is to be able to take all that I am to the world. Because this is all that I am and of course being able to make a full time career out of it would be a beautiful gift.

24HHH: What artists/producers do you work with? Or rubbed shoulders with?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): Wow well huge for me was when we got to work with the world famous DJ Smallz from MIAMI and that landed me a spot on his Southern Smoke “This That R&B” Vol. 4 mixtape this year 2013. I’ve worked with Ariel Borujow as Producer/Mixing Engineer of my upcoming album as an affiliate of Stadium Red in New York at the time. I hope to one day meet Beyoncé, Jay Z, Emelie Sande, Eminem and Mateo. Those are my idols.

24HHH: What else you got coming out? New Album? or Mixtape/EP?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): I got my album dropping really soon, I have featured with another local Rapper called Tha Hot$hot who is now in Canada, also got a another Music Video Dropping soon Called “ Tropical Limelight” additionally, got a new single out in stores called “Star Race” its more Techno Pop and the Music Video for that one is slated to be produced in January 2014.

24HHH: Tell us about your newest single “_Reflection & Star Race “, how did you come
up with that, share us the story?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): Reflections’ story is a love story. A story about love, insecurity, hurt and drama yet sexiness.
Star Race is the story of me leaving my country to travel the Globe and be a star. It’s a positive song that speaks of my future.

Check out $tekaly (Tha Singer) – Star Race below:

24HHH: Any new travel plans, what you got going on?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): So far I am developing and building a repertoire Internationally. Working on those songs and Music Videos and some performances here and there. Getting the fan base up and booking agents calling..I am a hard working artist and I have been ready for the traveling. So bring it on.

24HHH: What is the biggest thing to happen in your career?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): The biggest thing to happen in my career would be for my management team D.Y. Entertainment to sign an agreement with a Major Record Label to carry me bigger than I have ever been in my musical career.

24HHH: Where can people find you?

$tekaly (Tha Singer):
On my website; Get updates www.stekalythasinger.com
On Instagram: @Stekaly
On twitter @Stekaly
https://www.facebook.com/sumaiyahthapoet
www.youtube.com/StekalyThaSingerVEVO

24HHH: Where do you see yourself going in 2014 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): In 2014 I See myself Huge, being booked to perform worldwide, lots of Travelling arrangement, rehearsals, hard hard work and dedication. I do not plan to separate myself from other artist out today. I have always been seen as unique and different from other artist so I will continue to embrace my innate ability to touch the world in music and poetry and I will get the recognition I deserve. Because it can’t be any other way. It’s up and away from this level onward.

24HHH: Any last words or shout outs?

$tekaly (Tha Singer): Special Thank you to 24Hourhiphop for choosing me as the next in line artist. I couldn’t be more happier and blessed.
Then I want to thank D.Y. Entertainment for taking me through this Musical Journey, its been nothing else but a great pleasure working with my manager Mr. Steve Chemont. I want to thank all those who stood by my side through thick and thin; my Fellow artist Tha Hot$hot in Canada and our Publicist Ashley Nabeeh. And all the wonderful fans that have been following me from Day One. Shoutout to Canifilms and Money Mason Media Producers. Lysanne Charles of the Souligan Fiya Poets. A million Thanks ya’ll. There are many more but I cant mention all of them up in here..But ya all know my heart and I Love ya all….Muah!!!