Today we’d like to introduce you to Hopii Tee.
Hi Hopii, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
During Covid, we were all in our houses scrolling through social media, not knowing what to expect. Personally, it was an up-and-down rollercoaster. College online was quite difficult, not to mention juggling a heartbreak and a whole pandemic. One day, I was on the phone with a good friend, and he said to me,” Hope, just find a beat on YouTube, type in the artist you want to sing like and just listen and go from there!” As my fingers typed in Etta James in the search bar, something felt right about listening to different kinds of beats made by unique individuals all around the world. And, next thing you know, at the age of 19, I wrote my first two songs, called “Worthy” and “Come to Me.”
As society was adjusting to the world, I took a three-year long break from creating music. Then in 2023, I decided to create an EP that showcased all the sides to Hopii Tee. The EP was called “All of the Above,” with the songs: Happii Hopii, X&K, Ma Derr, and Temptation. Happii Hopii was a silly song that spoke about myself and my love for food! Fun fact, I have an ASMR/foodie page called “Thuggisheggasmr!” X&K is a song dedicated to my future kids and the title is their initials! For that song, I went on a solo trip to the beach and I filmed some videos there for the music video, but ended up using it for the lyric video instead. As for Ma Derr, it is written fully in Lao, and I speak about how to make this Laotian dish called Thummukthang. It’s a spicy cucumber salad, that’s typically eaten with sticky rice and any kind of meat; in the song I speak about Lao sausage! Temptation on the other hand, is about the chemistry between two people, just having enjoying each other’s presence. An interesting fact about that one, is that I wrote Temptation while I was chilling in the gym hot tub.
Fast-forward to 2025, I released my latest single called “Blessed,” also known as “Sa Tu!” The song has gained so much traction through Instagram and Tik Tok with over 500 thousand accumulated views! “Sa Tu” is a Lao phrase that is similar to “Amen.” There has been so much love and support from so many people that it feels surreal! In the song, I speak about having Lao pride, my family, and everything that I have, because without them I would be nothing. Also, with this song, I wanted people to realize and appreciate the little things they have; which leads me to my phrase,” Lyfe is too short to stay mad or sad, so instead we must #stayyellurr!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Music was never a smooth road for me. There was a time when I made songs and would release it, but never want to listen to them again. For a while, I didn’t believe in myself like how others believed in me. And dealing with depression would take a toll on my mind, so music used to be on pause multiple times. Also, there really isn’t a lot of people in my family that do music, so sometimes I felt alone on this journey because I was doing something that wasn’t in the “norm.”
Just recently, I started putting myself out there more to network and meet people more like-minded like me, who have a passion for music and same goals. At first, I would be scared of what others thought of me or my music, but then I realized that my gift is something that God wanted me to share with the world. It doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t like my music, what matters to me is that I am doing it for me. If they like it, they like it, if they don’t they don’t, as long as I like the song, that’s all that matters!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Stayyellurr?
Stayyellurr is a lifestyle brand that is meant to promote positivity and happiness, especially in the Asian community. Growing up as a Laotian-American, I was always seen as the shy, quiet, smart girl that got good grades and did all the clubs in school. But what they didn’t know was that I was going through my own battles at home. My parents were refugees from Laos, so just imagine them growing up in a country that’s new to THEIR own parents; while also learning another language, and at the same time, trying to navigate in the American culture! They didn’t have time to be kids or worry about their emotions. It was survival mode for them honestly. So, when I was of age, I realized that there was always that unspoken-spoken rule of “keeping personal issues within” and not talking about our problems in order to be respectful and keep the peace amongst everyone.
Now that I am older, I realized that that isn’t healthy, so with Stayyellurr I also want to promote mental health awareness for anybody and everybody. Every single one of us human beings are going through something, and Stayyellurr’s purpose is to let them know that they are not alone. Life is hard. There will always be ups and downs, and it’s not a walk in the park all the time, I know that. But, Stayyellurr is just that reminder for us because, “Lyfe is too short to stay mad or sad, so instead we must #stayyellurr!”
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
On one hand, success to me is hearing the crowd sing my lyrics and seeing my family be proud of me. On the other hand, I feel like I haven’t done enough to be “successful” in my own eyes because I’m not where I want to be yet. But, I have chosen to be more present in my life and enjoy the little moments that bring me happiness because that is what truly matters…that is the success. One quote that I live by is Aristotle’s words, “Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Along with my idol, Beyonce, in her song “Pretty Hurts,” she was asked,” What is your aspiration?” She replies to the host,” My aspiration… my aspiration is to be happy.” And I felt that. Honestly, I am happy right now, and that is success to me! #stayyellurr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopiitee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopiitee/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hopiitee
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5sJ1FzATchWBJoR02sVuA1
Image Credits
Kelly Thammavongsa
Boon Vong
Javi Hvbris
Syd Phimmasone
Kevin Soundara
