Bryson Tiller Is Who You Should Be Listening to Now
Amid a deluge of releases celebrating ego and posturing, from Future and Drake’s What a Time to Be Alive mixtape (which effectively sidelined Meek Mill’s career) to a little passion project called The Life of Pablo from one Kanye West, Bryson Tiller’s freshman studio release, Trapsoul, which debuted this fall, was a refreshing turn of pace thanks to Tiller’s super-smooth, earnest take on trap- and hip-hop-influenced R&B.
Don’t get it twisted, though; even though Tiller might be soulful and a relative ingenue at the tender age of 23, his dreamily seductive songs—which have him rapping and singing with equal dexterity—prove he has braggadocio to spare. His hit, “Don’t,” which catapulted him from SoundCloud sensation to mainstream star-on-the-rise, includes the lyrics “somebody gotta step up / girl, I’m that somebody, so I’m next up.”
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And if you listen to Tiller long enough, you’re bound to agree with him—he’s only on his way up from here. Here are six things you should know about the buzzy new artist right now.
He’s from Louisville, Kentucky, and he reps the city proudly.
Tiller hails from Louisville and isn’t ashamed to say it. In fact, he’s even dedicated one of his songs to Louisville, “502 Come Up,” where he details where he came from and where he’s going. He was given the key to the city, with March 12 officially marking “Bryson Tiller Day” in Louisville.
He has a baby daughter named Harley, whom he’s absolutely devoted to.
Seriously, if you follow Tiller on Instagram, don’t expect party pics or selfies—there will, however, be plenty of snaps of his adorable toddler, Harley.
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He’s friends with Drake and Timbaland.
Early on in his career, Bryson received accolades from legendary producer Timbaland, as well as man-of-the-moment Drake, whose influence is undeniably heard in Bryson’s music. In fact, Bryson was even asked to join OVO (Drake’s music label and brand) but ultimately chose to stay with RCA. Tiller also revealed that Timbaland gave him the song “Sorry Not Sorry.”
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His influences are widespread.
Tiller has cited Omarion as one of his biggest influences, as well as The-Dream, Kehlani, and Jazmine Sullivan. He’s also waxed eloquent about Kanye West and said he’d love to collaborate with him.
He’s been hustling hard since day one.
Tiller worked at Papa John’s and UPS until he had enough money to make his first song, “Don’t.”
He’s kind of a nerd.
In an interview with Atlanta’s Hot 107.9, Tiller couldn’t contain his enthusiasm for the new “Star Wars” movie (honestly, do you blame him?). He also often references comic books, anime, and even cartoons in his music. He told The Boombox, “It’s just my life. I don’t know what else to talk about. I can’t say gun references and stuff … what I do, what I like.”
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