Emerging from the streets of Detroit with a raw, unfiltered narrative of survival and ambition, Tee Grizzley established himself as a potent voice in hip-hop with a viral breakout that translated into a sustained career. Born Terry Sanchez Wallace Jr. on March 23, 1994, in Detroit, Michigan, his early life was marked by hardship, including the incarceration of his mother and his own legal troubles. A pivotal period came when he served nearly two years in prison for armed robbery, a experience that would heavily inform his lyrical content. Upon his release in 2016, he channeled his energy directly into music, recording and uploading the visceral track "First Day Out" in late 2016.

The song, a detailed recounting of his incarceration and release, became a viral sensation in early 2017, propelled in part by a social media challenge initiated by NBA superstar LeBron James. "First Day Out" amassed millions of views rapidly and climbed into the Top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, a stunning feat for an independent release. This immediate success led to a record deal with 300 Entertainment. He capitalized on the momentum with his debut mixtape, My Moment, later that year, and followed up with the platinum-certified single "From the D to the A" featuring fellow rapper Lil Yachty, which celebrated the connection between Detroit and Atlanta.

Demonstrating a strong collaborative spirit, Tee Grizzley joined forces with Chicago rapper Lil Durk for the 2018 mixtape Bloodas. His official debut studio album, Activated, arrived later that year and debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, cementing his commercial appeal. He continued to build his discography with the Timbaland-produced Scriptures in 2019 and Built for Whatever in 2021, both of which charted within the Top 20. A significant commercial resurgence came in 2023 with his fourth album, Tee's Coney Island. Its lead single, "IDGAF," a collaboration with Chris Brown and Mariah the Scientist, became a hit, returning him to the Billboard Hot 100 and proving the enduring power of his authentic storytelling. Throughout his career, Tee Grizzley has maintained a consistent output, using his music as a direct reflection of his journey from incarceration to musical success.