Teia Burton-Green To Take Over Seattle with Women on the Waterfront and Dead End Block Party
Seattle artist, lyricist, and performer Teia Burton-Green recently appeared on The Day With Trae with guest host Alicia Crank where she shared an extensive look at her roots in the city's music scene, her ongoing community mentorship, and her transition into major creative leadership roles.
Curating a Spotlight for Local Women on the Waterfront
Burton-Green discussed an upcoming free concert series event titled Women on the Waterfront (WOW). She did not just land a spot on the lineup—she pitched and curated the entire event to Friends of Waterfront Park.
Reflecting on her inspiration for creating WOW, Burton-Green explained her desire to uplift female talent in a historically male-dominated local landscape.
"I love local artists," she said. "But I really wanted to do a spotlight on women. I don't think we get as much shine as we should.”
The free showcase is set to feature a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and soul music, with Burton-Green serving as both host and performer. She humorously noted her preference for lyricism over modern styles.
"I'm an old hip-hop kid... there's no mumble rap here. These are all bars... So, even the hip-hop is going to touch your soul,” she said.
35 Years of Hip-Hop History and Artistic Evolution
Burton-Green provided a history lesson on Seattle’s creative culture, noting her childhood block on 33rd and Union and her days graduating from Garfield High School. She spoke affectionately about her crew, Tribal Music Inc., where she stands as the sole female performer and holds the distinction of being the very first voice heard on their iconic album Do the Math.
Mentoring the Next Generation and Future Projects
Now fully back in her element, Burton-Green is channeling her love for language into community mentorship and fresh solo material. This summer, she served as a writing teacher for Asha Seattle, guiding young women aged 14 to 22 through a two-week workshop that culminated in an original play.
Green described the experience of watching her students find their confidence through writing.
"I call myself a turtle because I try to act hard on the outside because I'm so soft on the inside," she said. "I was crying because [the play] was so beautiful... to see the evolution of them at the end just blossom.”
Beyond WOW, Burton-Green's upcoming calendar is packed. She is currently writing a poetry book, preparing a solo performance, and has a featured verse on an upcoming album by Abyssinian Creole. She is also scheduled to perform a multi-genre set at the annual Dead End Block Party on September 12th.
"I've been booked and blessed,” she said.
Women on the Waterfront is happening this Thursday, September 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Salish Steps in Seattle. Get your tickets today here.
Dead End Block Party is happening this Saturday, September 12th from 12:30 to 11 p.m. at 4518 S Ferdinand St, Seattle. Learn more on Facebook.
Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
