T. Calmese

Artist: T. Calmese
Alter Ego: Terron Calmese
Management & Booking: Alter Ego
Web: www.myspace.com/eyedouble

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, T. Calmese was inspired to write in the mid-1990s.  During this time he began participating in open mics, talent showcases all while being exposed to a blossoming Detroit hip hop scene. Local heavyweights such as Jay Dee (J. Dilla), Binary Star, Phat Kat, Elzhi, DJ Houseshoes, Decompoze and Big Tone would help shape and broaden Calmese’s ear for music and ultimately help him to realize exactly what he wanted out of the music.

T. Calmese’s artistic groundwork began to show results and in 2000 he joined ranks with Onebelo’s (Binary Star) Subterraneous Records. The artist made his debut on Subterraneous’ “Waterworld Too” CD released in 2001. The “Rivers Run Wild” tour included stops in Seattle, Washington; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago and Wisconsin.

As a part of Subterraneous, Calmese would go on to share stages with artists such as De la Soul, Mos Def, Slum Villlage, Redman, Jurassic 5, Little Brother and others. Subterraneous was the only hip hop group asked to perform at Detroit’s historical Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) two years in a row (2002-2003). The Subterraneous experience helped T. Calmese to become a more seasoned artist/performer.

T. Calmese, then known as Illite, would then partner with fellow Sub member DJ Phrikshun aka Octane to produce the “Forgotten…Chosen” CD released in 2006 under Subterraneous Records. Everything from the features to the production on this album included some of Michigan’s finest. During this period the duo would share stages with artists ranging from Saul Williams to the Cool Kids and became well known in the Metro Detroit area for their incredible chemistry.

Time would eventually lead T. Calmese to produce the self-titled CD “Creme de la Creme”. This solo project is a culmination of both personal and musical growth. It defines exactly what Illite expects from the future and it also displays his 10 plus year musical journey. T. Calmese is always working towards mastering his artform and demonstrating his God-given talents to produce the best music possible.