Tei Shi: The spicy vibes are fully embraced in the new '¿QUIÉN TE MANDA?' music video
Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to explore something so unique and fun you can’t get enough. That’s the case with Tei Shi finally delivering the visual treatment to the recently released Bad Premonition standout song ‘¿QUIÉN TE MANDA?.’
The music video clocks in at just over four minutes in length and features Tei’s signature style from start to finish. Peep the details and keep scrolling to get into the spicy zone.
Following the release of her new indpedent EP BAD PREMONITION, Canadian-Colombian singer-songwriter and artist Tei Shi shares her official video for her single "¿QUIÉN TE MANDA?", a fan favorite taken from the 6-track EP. Co-produced alongside Chairlift’s Patrick Wimberly and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jake Portrait (Lil Yachty), the bilingual track delves into themes of deception, self-empowerment, and independence all while drawing inspiration from her cultural roots. It’s a reflection of the frustration, manipulation, and deceit Tei Shi endured while navigating the music industry. The single and its accompanying visual which premiered earlier today on REMEZCLA are a powerful testament to Tei Shi's artistic expression and serve as an anthem of strength and liberation.
While the visual is both captivating and intentional – it also holds an interesting story. After shooting, there was a major mishap which resulted in none of the footage being usable. Despite this, Tei Shi and her all-Latine team refused to give up and instead reshot the video, resulting in an exceptional piece of art. The visual features an incredible dance performance crafted with renowned choreographer Teresa "Toogie" Barcelo, who has worked with notable acts such as Dua Lipa, Xtina Aguilera, Miguel, and Kali Uchis. Directed by friend and frequent collaborator Jonatán López (Flying Lotus, A$AP Ferg, Alaina Castillo, and more), the video showcases an intricately designed outfit by fashion designer Elena Velez. This project exemplifies the team's unwavering dedication and serves as a labor of love and creativity. The empowering message of the single, juxtaposed with the challenges faced during its creation, amplifies the impact of the visual, creating a truly memorable experience.
Want to know more about Tei Shi? Gotta find out what she thinks about her must-see video? Say less.
Speaking on the video, Tei Shi shares, “The video for ‘QUIEN TE MANDA' was a huge labor of love and creativity on behalf of everyone involved. We actually had to shoot it twice – so the whole experience was very crazy. I’ve worked with Jonatan Lopez many times throughout my career. He’s one of my closest friends, and we’ve made multiple videos of mine and visual projects through the years. Working with him again now feels like such a natural extension of where I am — returning to my roots, to being independent, to taking back creative freedom, to that DIY and authentic spirit that Tei Shi was born of”.
She adds, “Toogie is someone I’ve been wanting to work with for years. I’m so glad she was brought into my life! She brings a really free, mindful, spiritual and wellness oriented approach which has been really necessary for me, because I had a lot of physical recovery to do after some really bad chapters with chronic pain”
Touching on the choreography and inspiration, “I grew up dancing — my mom put me in ballet classes when I was two years old and I quit when I was 15. Ballet was my main thing but I did all types of dance. Dancing is something I’ve always loved to do, something that came really naturally to me my whole life. It got kind of buried for a long time, and I didn’t explore it at all within my music until now really. I came back to it gradually over the last three years, just for fun. I’m still very sloppy but that’s part of the process…it brings me a lot of joy. I also worked with my go-to stylist Kat Typaldos and we combined some incredible pieces by Elena Velez with some of my nostalgic dance elements like the dance sneaker and the tutu.
Tei Shi courageously shares her personal story and showcases her resilience and determination to rise above adversity on her EP BAD PREMONITION. The combination of songs and visuals bring to life Tei Shi's musical journey, rebirth, and diversity as both an artist and performer, navigating both heartbreak and the toxic aspects of the music industry. The EP continues to resonate with listeners and has garnered press praise from Pitchfork, CLASH, The FADER, STEREOGUM, PAPER, FLOOD Magazine, i-D, NYLON, Exclaim, and more.
The past year has kicked off Tei Shi's new era and has seen her embark on an empowering musical journey while making her mark on the live scene. She toured across North America this past Spring, provided support to Kimbra throughout the country, and performed intimate, sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles last fall. Additionally, Tei Shi collaborated with John Cale on his highly lauded album Mercy, where she was featured on the track "I Know You're Happy". She also made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week, walking for the Elena Velez show.
