Growing up in one of the most beautiful islands surrounded by the scenery and peace that it brings – Bonny Island in Rivers state has a way of making you see life through a beautiful lens. This shaped the early part of Lifesize Teddy’s (Elestee) life.
Born Banigo Apiafi Treasure on the 15th of July in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria, Lifesize Teddy growing up among the different cultural mix in her hometown of Bonny Isalnd among locals and foreigners with the busy life in Port-Harcourt leaves her as one who can be described as a confluence of many rivers. After being exposed to different sides of life with the mix of people and culture which she largely still draws inspiration from to date it’s safe to call her a curated blend.
She started writing music before the age of 12 after being influenced by her mom’s cassette players where she was exposed to different genres of music which was influenced by her mum’s mood. Artists like Lucky Dube, Tupac, Shania Twain heavily influenced her mornings which would eventually turn out to be helpful
Heavily influenced by a mom who is an ardent lover of literature, Life Size Teddy was introduced to music by the rolling cassettes of the sounds of Brenda Fassie, Shania Twain, the definitive sound of Asa and the highlife sound of Rex Lawson and the likes. As an emotional child with defined emotions, she discovered the power of her pen through starting out as a poet as a way of documenting her feelings.
The graduate of chemical engineering from the University of Maritime Port-harcourt started rapping at the age of 12 after being influenced by Kanye west’s College dropout. Joining the community of rappers in her university helped her hone her art.
Lifesize Teddy is not scared to put her feelings in her pen, she is a fusion of talent and skill and the budding star is definitely one to keep an eye on.