Teah Bailey, aka “One8tea”, wrote his first song in Grade 6, but it wasn’t until his time at Teen Challenge’s Atlantic Men’s Centre that he really started to take his music seriously.

Before entering recovery, Teah was on a destructive path that included stealing cars, abusing cocaine, gang culture, and homelessness. His family insisted, “Get your life together!” But it wasn’t until he saw the dramatic change his friend Ricky experienced at Teen Challenge, that he was convinced to go and get help.

Teah appreciated the structure of the Teen Challenge program, and how it instills the importance of healthy routines. Though it was uncomfortable at the time, it was just what he needed to make necessary changes.

“The program helps you create a new default system.” He says, “People experiencing addiction use substances to deal with pain – at Teen Challenge you learn to live and function without drugs.”

Living in community at the Atlantic Men’s Centre taught him the value of close friends. The bond shared amongst these men is incredibly unique. They are lifelong “brothers” and 14 years later, they are still considered family.

“There’s something about the guys I literally went to war with, fighting for my own life while also helping them fight for theirs. These guys matter to me so much! It’s special, really special.”

During his time at Teen Challenge, his life coach was looking for ways to get Teah to engage in his therapy. He came up with an idea – each month he gave him a portion of scripture, and his assignment was to write one song around it. Now, that was something he could get behind!

Once Teah started writing, he felt God calling him in a new direction. What was once a hobby had the potential to become his future. As Teah approached the end of the program, his life coach presented him with artwork for his “album cover”. He had just written his first album while at Teen Challenge!

Completing the program was a life-changing moment for Teah. It was his first graduation – representing motivation and determination to see this difficult challenge through to completion. In fact, he credits this accomplishment as a catalyst for change in so many other areas in his life.

Graduating from the program proved to Teah that he can push through the tough stuff and cross the finish line. It inspired a new outlook – he digs in, problem-solves, and gets things done. Teah feels without Teen Challenge he would not have the career he has now.

“There’s an extreme pride I have from graduating from Teen Challenge. It’s like my university. I wear the colours; I’m at the pep rally. I say I’m an alumnus because it’s like we’re part of a fraternity.”

These days Teah tours, raps, and leads workshops about faith, bullying, teen suicide, and drug awareness. He’s also bringing his message into clubs where he feels it’s needed most!

Teah is an award-winning Canadian hip-hop artist and the founder of One8tea Ministries.

• 6x Covenant Award Nominee
• 4x ECMA Nominee
• 2017 Covenant Award Winner (Rap Album of the Year)
• 2021 Music NB Award Winner (Song of the Year)
• 2022 ECMA Award Winner (Rap/Hip hop Album of the Year)
• 2022 NB Gospel Hall of Fame
• 2022 Covenant Award Winner (Rap Song of the Year, Rap Artist of the Year)
• 2023 Covenant Award Winner (Rap Artist of the Year)

Despite his accomplishments, Teah stopped worrying about the factors that make a successful song and, instead, focuses on what he and God are doing that day.

“Rapping has become another way I pray.”

Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time to connect with the men at our Atlantic Men’s Centre. Being an “alumnus” means he frequently returns to the centre to share his story, encourage his brothers, and help out in a tangible way.

“Having the experience under my belt that I have, gives me a level of credibility with the guys that are in the program now.”

With his wife Tasha, Teah has three children and a granddaughter. “I’m a rapping grandad.”

The former drug seller describes himself as the “neighbourhood hope dealer.” He tells people living on the street, “God can liberate them from addiction and change their lives.” Teah is proof it’s possible to experience life change and freedom from substance abuse! In a song called, Trauma Remix, Teah raps, “I gotta message that’ll save your life…”

Hear Teah’s music and message at www.one8tea.com/free-music