Tee Peters is an artist who understands that music is more than just sound - it's connection. With his Youth Music NextGen Fund project, 'VIP-eters & Confidence', Tee set out to build something deeper than streams and stats: a community. The project was born from a realisation that while his career was hitting impressive milestones - international performances, over a million streams - he was missing a direct link to the quiet supporters who truly fuel his journey. VIP-eters became a platform to celebrate those fans, offering them exclusive content, personal updates, and real-life experiences that brought them closer to the music and the artist behind it.

Through the grant, Tee built a creative team, launched a new TikTok page (@teemusicmentor), and hosted intimate events that blurred the lines between audience and collaborator. From mentoring emerging artists to performing at the London Jazz Festival, Tee’s project has grown into a movement that empowers both himself and his community. 

Here, Tee shares the story behind VIP-eters, the lessons learned from building a grassroots network, and how the NextGen Fund helped him turn connection into confidence - and confidence into impact.

You’ve built a growing network and mailing list through your content. How did the grant help you scale that?

Honestly, the grant gave me the freedom to experiment. At first, it was tough to get people on board, and my original ideas didn’t work out exactly how I imagined. But as the project evolved, I gained so much experience that new opportunities began to appear. One of the biggest outcomes was starting a new TikTok page called @TeeMusicMentor, where I share my career experiences and advice from a relatable artist’s perspective. That page quickly gained over 1,000 followers in its first month and led to several videos going semi-viral.

The growth from that platform opened new doors. I launched a Substack newsletter, which became one of the top 100 rising Substacks in July, and began hosting real-life experiences for my community—like bringing supporters to shadow me at the Royal Albert Hall or attend my headline show at Peckham Audio. Some of those same people have even gone on to perform with me, most recently at London Jazz Festival. The grant not only helped me build new platforms but also gave me the confidence to expand my impact—from connecting with fans to mentoring the next generation of artists.

Tell us about the events you delivered - what were they like, and what impact did they have on your audience?

One of the main events I delivered was the VIP-eters Live Show at The Libra in Camden. We invited around 40 people for an intimate evening where I performed music I’d created during the VIP-eters & Confidence project—along with some of my biggest songs and unreleased tracks. At the end, we held a listening session so the audience could share feedback on new material, which made the night feel collaborative and special.

A highlight for me was opening up the event to my wider community. I invited artists from my Tee’s Music MentorTikTok page to perform as my supporting acts. It was AK’s first-ever live show, alongside Mukuza and Space2—two incredibly talented musicians I’ve collaborated with over the years. Hearing audience members say that every act felt equally professional, regardless of experience, was one of the best moments of the night. AK even said it really boosted his confidence, which made me proud. The event brought together my fans, mentees, and peers under one roof—and seeing those worlds connect so naturally was honestly beautiful.

What have you learned about entrepreneurship and self-promotion through this experience?

This project really taught me the value of strategy and listening. At the start, I was creating a lot of content based on what I thought people would like, but over time I realised how important it is to pay attention to what the community actually needs and responds to. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about putting yourself out there - it’s about observing, adapting, and meeting people where they are. I’ve also learned that consistency builds trust; when you stay visible and intentional, your work starts to resonate more deeply with people.

How has this project helped you build connections in the music industry or open new doors?

The biggest change has been that my consistency has created conversations. Having a clear project to focus on gives me something meaningful to discuss when meeting new people — and that has opened doors I didn’t expect. Because of the visibility and momentum this project brought, I’ve been able to book shows, fund rehearsals with new band members, and build relationships with artists and professionals who genuinely want to support what I’m doing.

What’s your long-term vision for the Working Szn Network and your role in it?

The name might evolve, but the vision remains clear. Working Szn is about helping people realise the importance of cutting out distractions and focusing on their purpose. That message has been at the heart of everything I’ve done — long before this project, but especially now that it’s been refined and reinforced. My goal is to build a network and structure that not only shares this message through my music and mentorship, but also creates pathways for others to stay focused, disciplined, and creative. I see myself continuing to lead by example — using my work to inspire others to put purpose first.

Connect with Tee Peters:

Instagram: @byteepeters

TikTok: @byteepeters

Check out Tee's music below.