Somic Mania Tee Lopes
Image: SEGA

Throughout the Nintendo Life Video Game Music Festival we're speaking to a range of composers and musicians for a mixture of in-depth interviews and shorter, sharper (and perhaps a little goofier) Q&As where we ask just ten rapid-fire personal questions; we're calling these shorter features 'Quick Beats'.

We spoke to today's interviewee at the start of the VGM Fest where he talked about Sonic, Streets of Rage, and making music on a PS1. Today, though, Tee Lopes returns to answer 10 quickfire questions that regular readers should be familiar with by now.

So, let's start by finding out the very first record this ascending composing legend bought...

Nintendo Life: What was the first song or album you remember buying?

Tee Lopes: "Suspeitos do costume" by "Mind Da Gap". Portuguese Rap. I got it at the airport right before I boarded the plane to come live in the US back in '02. It was the first album I ever bought with my own money.

What was the last music you listened to?

Super Street Fighter II Turbo (3DO) - Ken's theme. It's the best version of that song, and I won't be told otherwise.

What was the very first video game you wrote music for, and how do you feel listening back now?

It was this small mobile puzzle game called "Fling", circa 2008. I just re-heard it after like 11 years. I'll give it a C+.

Which piece of yours are you most proud of?

I love all my children equally, but my boy "Lights Camera Action" got accepted to Smash University.

Which piece by someone else do you wish you had written?

"Theme Of Grandia" by Noriyuki Iwadare. It's that one song I make everyone listen to. It's how I pick my friends.

What do you listen to while you’re driving?

I'm a brand new driver, so for now, mostly my wife.

Do you have a musical hero?

Jun Senoue bought me sushi once. Hero.

Which decade had the best music?

I think everyone agrees it was the '80s. It started out cool and just never stopped.

Ocarina, harp or bongos — which magical instrument do you take on an epic adventure?

Am I an elf, an angel, or an ape?

If your house were on fire and you only had time to grab one keepsake before you flee to safety with your family, what would you take?

My clunky, angular desktop tower, without a doubt. It's my life support.

Our thanks to Tee for condoning our buffoonery. Be sure to check out our other Quick Beats interviews with the likes of Yuzo Koshiro, Darren Korb, Ippo Yamada, Jake Kaufman, Lena Raine, Manami Matsumae, David Wise, and more, and keep an eye out for more music-focused interviews and features in the final week of the Nintendo Life VGM Fest.