TYLA YAWEH

RAGER BØY

Coming off the success of "Tommy Lee'' and "Stuntin' On You", Tyla Yaweh is cementing his name as one of music's rising stars. The malleability of Yaweh's delivery has given him an edge over the leaders of the post-genre era. As some attempt to classify Yaweh's music as rap, emo, pop, or rock, more often than not, no one tag solely applies. He is continuously layering and contrasting sounds- light with dark, somber with glee, smooth with raw- the tracks off his debut album Heart Full of Rage tend to shift with his mood. Tylah Yaweh's sound is unconventionally orchestrated.

The pursuit of raw originality and boundless creativity drives Tyla Yaweh sophomore album, RAGERBØY. The album has been in the offing for several months due to the pandemic, which has granted Yaweh additional opportunity to "sit with the music, create a vibe, and strategize a whole album."

On an August evening, the 25-year-old Angeleno transplant dials in from his home, where he has spent most of his time tinkering and reflecting. He describes his time in quarantine as a "blessing, although it's not the best of times right now. We're still alive. Can't stop won't stop!" This energy carries into our interview as we discuss the process of dropping an album during a pandemic, early successes in his career, and some lessons he's learned along the way.

Tiffany: How has the pandemic affected making/ finalizing RAGERBØY?

Tyla Yaweh: The pandemic made it easier, to be honest. We got everything done with all the features we wanted. I got a chance to sit with the music, create a vibe, and strategize a whole album. It's a blessing to create more songs for RAGERBØY! A better vibe, a breath of fresh air for people's ears.

Tiffany: Stuntin' On You is a hit! During the creative process for the track, did you know you wanted DaBaby featured on it?

Tyla Yaweh: Yes, I did! It was such a fun process making the track Stuntin' On You. Making the music video made the whole process even better because we got to vibe and get to know each other's energy.

Tiffany: What inspired the visuals for the music video for Stuntin' On You?

Tyla Yaweh: We just wanted to stunt. It was so hard to create the visuals during the pandemic, but we made it happen. It's so cool that we were able to do safely. It came out perfectly- it was a movie!

Tiffany: With the pandemic, what hurdles did you encounter while making the music video for Stuntin' On You?

Tyla Yaweh: Man permits. How many people we could have on set. All the restrictions that come with COVID. It was different but we figured it out. Once we met all the requirements- that was all that mattered. We got the video done and were able to release the song on time. We are going to keep stepping on people's necks with this good music.

Tiffany: To look back a bit, "Tommy Lee" has had massive success. Has that created the pressure to make another hit?

Tyla Yaweh: No, not at all. Tommy Lee was created for that moment in time. There will be other moments with songs that people would say, "Can you recreate this song?" I'm going to keep creating songs and vibes that reflect the time we are living in.

Tiffany: You consider RAGERBØY and all of your music to be genre-less. What do you find limiting about fitting into one genre?

Tylah Yaweh: It limits you. I don't go into the studio and say, "I'm going to make a rap song today, a trap song, a pop song." It's whatever my vibe and my mood is. When I make a song, it's not for a specific crowd. I want it to sound new with different layers and a mixture of sounds. You never know who will relate to the music from a business person to someone from the hood. I am just making creative music.

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TylaYaweh

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Tiffany: Do you think it is because you are a black artist, people try to put you into a category? Tyla Yaweh: No, not at all! I just got the cover of a rock playlist on Spotify. It doesn't matter what color you are, who you are, or what gender you identify with music is a frequency. It will be here when we are dead and gone.

Tiffany: You have a lot of rock influence in your music. What was your introduction to rock music? Why did you gravitate to that genre? Tyla Yaweh: The internet and my parents-they listen to everything. I found a lot of music on my own. I fell in love with the rock lifestyle. Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Hawthorne Heights, Jim Morrison, Sex Pistols, that whole lifestyle is so rebellious and [represents] not giving a fuck. It's about being the black sheep and doing whatever you want. Rock went from not being the wave to labels going to shows wanting to sign these David Bowe's and Madonna's. There will always be a new wave that people aren't going to accept first, and then everybody wants it. Tiffany: Do you look at yourself as a black sheep? Was that the relatability factor in rock music? Tyla Yaweh: Definitely! In the beginning, no one believed in me. I had my team, and they were pushing me, and people kept saying, "No, that's not it." We kept working, grinding, and putting out quality music. We were the black sheep, and now we are the sheep that the other sheep follow.

Tiffany: What has it been like working with your idols like Billie Joe Armstrong, Blink 182, and Travis Barker? Tylah Yaweh: Damn, It's fucking crazy. I still reflect on it because these are legends. The music we have isn't out yet. But I can't wait for people to hear it and see we are breaking barriers out here. Anyone else can do the same thing! If you want to meet your idol, you can. You have to believe and not give up.

Tiffany: Has it always been that sentiment for you: pushing yourself, never wanting to give up?

Tylah Yaweh: To be honest, I've never feared giving up. No matter what. A weird obstacle would come my way, and I always make it happen. I still smile at the end of the day and keep moving forward. Tiffany: What was the significant driving factor in moving from Florida to Los Angeles?

Tylah Yaweh: The drive was-this is it. I have to do it! I have a plan, and now is the time to attack it. I built up a blueprint for my confidence level. It was time to go into the real world and chase this dream. People loved it [locally], and I was growing a fan base. So I had to ask myself, "What's stopping me from growing my fan base bigger?" It got to a point where I said, "Fuck it, I'm going full throttle!"

Tiffany: What attracted you to Los Angeles, specifically? Why not Atlanta or New York?

Tylah Yaweh: This where the music industry is. It's the world of entertainment, where the labels are, producers, and where many artists live. LA is the place to be, for sure! Atlanta and New York is the place to be as well for certain people's comfort zones. LA was just my comfort zone. If I didn't come to LA, I wouldn't be talking to you right now. So everything happens for a reason. Tiffany: Was there a significant moment before you moved to LA, which helped you realize that you had to get out of Florida?

Tylah Yaweh: I was around Birdman and the whole Cash Money crew working at the hit factory, doing music videos, along with him potentially trying to sign me. But, I was in such a weird situation that was blocking my blessings, and the only way to get out was to move. Hit the streets and make it happen.

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Tiffany: You've toured and opened up for big names early on in your career. What was the biggest lesson they've taught you about your artistry?

Tylah Yaweh: The growth! I went on the tour with Saint Jhn earlier on in his career and look how big Saint Jhn is now. That's my guy! We talk every day. But, watching him go from where we started to where he is now, it's the same thing. It's the growth, the growth of everything. Tiffany: With RAGER BOY, what can people expect from the album without giving too much away? Tylah Yaweh: I don't want them to expect anything. I want them to expect something new. If you are expecting something, then that is what you are going to get from that artist. Every time I drop an album, I want you guys not to guess what I'm going to do. You can't expect anything but the best. Tiffany: How do you want to be remembered?

Tylah Yaweh: I want to be remembered as being light in people's lives. Having positive energy every single day. Being people's motivation and inspiration.

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