Photos courtesy of Loyalty Records
[Ty James](https://www.instagram.com/tyjames/?hl=en) might just be your new favorite artist. His sound is refreshing, his records are relatable, his energy is uplifting, and his music resonates with anyone who listens. The 21-year-old describes himself as “a kid from Indiana trying to make his dreams come true. I’m like everyone else my age who’s going through their own trials, and I’m growing.”
With his father doing music, Ty was always surrounded by it growing up — with an unwavering love and passion since he can remember. He loves music so much that he has no fear or hesitations in diving into new territory. When it comes to genres, he creates a smooth blend of his 3 favorites: pop, R&B, and hip-hop. He states again: “I love music so much.”
Regardless, Ty operates off love and positivity, which is much needed in the world today. With his new project _Welcome to Litropolis_, he proves he is well on his way to the mainstream light. Released through Stephen Vincent’s Loyalty Records, the 10-track project is an instant favorite among fans, easy on the ears all the way through from beginning to end.
Flaunt caught up with Ty James via FaceTime to discuss his upbringing in Indiana, biggest influences, how he got connected to his label, the new album, goals, and more!
**Being from Jeffersonville, Indiana, what was the household like growing up?**
Oh my gosh, it was very competitive. I have 2 older brothers, so I was always trying to be the center of attention. I always tried to be louder than them. The household was really loving and caring. We’re not perfect. We’re like every other family, there’s arguments all the time. I’m grateful because through the ups and downs, we stayed together. We kept it really balanced and positive.
**Bring us back to when you were recording in your bedroom and uploading to SoundCloud.**
I started really taking it seriously when I was 17, in high school. I told my father “yo I really want to try this new thing,” he helped me get equipment. I bought my own speakers later on but he started me off with stuff that wasn’t the best. I remember I’d put stuff on Soundcloud, people in my high school would joke and say “this is trash.” It wasn’t good at all but just having the courage to say “this is what I want to do, tell me what you think.” Even though they told me it’s trash, I never gave up on it. I really started taking it serious a couple years ago. My music now compared to then, there’s a really big jump in quality because I didn’t give up on it. I do make a lot of music in my room, most of my music comes from my room. It was a grind to make it sound nice, I’d look up YouTube tutorials. I literally grinded this shit out. \[laughs\]
**Who were your biggest influences?**
Drake’s probably the biggest, he’s my favorite artist out of anyone growing up. I listen to a lot of Lil Wayne. I used to like rock a lot more than hip-hop growing up because I used to play Guitar Hero. I love videogames, so I’d always hear things like AC/DC and The Beatles. I liked Eagles, Prince, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, there’s a lot. But Drake’s someone I really look up to.
**When did you realize you wanted to do music for the rest of your life?**
When I got flown out to New York by my label Loyalty, I brought my father with me. For the first time getting out of Indiana, seeing a big city and actually going to do music, it really opened my eyes and made me see my music’s actually decent enough to where people actually care about it now. I was really thankful people took a chance and did that for me, it boosted up my confidence a lot. A lot of people doubted me, but that’s when I thought “this is so possible.” It pushed me to keep going.
**What does your dad do?**
My father used to do music a lot. That was his passion, what he loves. Of course, he had to raise a family. He’s an artist, he styles hair. That was going real good for him but that wasn't paying the bills anymore, so he opened up a bar. He owns his own bar now. My dad’s always been a hustler. I’m grateful for my dad, he always finds a way to be successful even when it didn’t work out.
**“Splash” was a big record for you, did you think that song would blow up?**
Honestly no. They say it’s always the one you least expect. I posted it on Soundcloud and didn’t expect it to do anything. I’m like “what the heck?” Crazy. Imagine a 19-year-old Ty in his room, alone. I was having the best day ever. I don’t know what it was about that day but I was so happy. I was home alone, it’s the first time I tried screaming. I’m like “ooh, I’m in a drop top.” I found this YouTube beat and had fun with it. I felt so free. That song literally sat on my laptop for a couple months before I did anything with it. Wild.
**Congrats on releasing _Welcome to Litropolis_! How’s the fan reception been?**
They love it, thank God. I was really nervous at first because it’s been a while since I’ve dropped. They like it, so I’m happy they enjoy it. Of course I love music already, but it’s cool to know that people can like it from all over the world.
**What’s the significance in the title?**
When I made the name _Welcome to Litropolis,_ I was 19. I had moved out to Vegas, my first time in a big city. I didn’t get flown out, I literally took a chance. My aunt let me stay with her in Vegas, my first time away from my family so I had time to find myself. I couldn’t go to the bar or casinos because I wasn't 21, so I stayed inside all the time. I found out how to meditate, read books, and found myself spiritually. I remember thinking “I’m tired of doing music and being serious, let me be creative.” I swear I’d finished meditating and it popped into my head. I said Litropolis and it sounded so cool. I thought “whoa this is fire,” and went with it.
**“The Summer” is such a vibe, bring us back to that studio session.**
I’d just got done watching a Beatles documentary. People in the documentary said they love the Beatles so much because they felt like they could be friends with Paul McCartney. They seemed like regular kids. I was listening to the music and loved how free the music sounds. I was listening to a lot of Beatles music. I take a lot of inspiration from legends, I thought “let me look up a Beatles type beat on YouTube.” I tried to not recreate the sound, but recreate the vibe in my own way.
**What songs mean the most to you & why?**
“Thankful” is my favorite song I’ve ever made. I was finding myself when I got to Vegas, a couple months before I went to New York. I’m still really young but I learned a lot. I made a lot of mistakes with relationships, whether it’s with girls, friends, or family. Being in this industry at this age, you can get caught up in a lot of things that aren’t important. You have to stay focused. Now I know the most important thing in life is love. Yeah, I love material things like cars and jewelry, but that’s not what matters the most. I’m so thankful for my family and that love energy. “Thankful” really captured that feeling, definitely my favorite record on the project.
[](https://www.instagram.com/p/Byn8SozHMXf/)
[Purple symbolizes royalty, wealth, and wisdom 🔮](https://www.instagram.com/p/Byn8SozHMXf/)
**3 things you need in the studio?**
I need my boys with me, I need some food, and I need some video games. If it’s a long session, it’s always cool to have a TV and some 2K in there. I’m in here right now. I’m so used to being in the home stu so when I go to a regular studio, I try to recreate the vibe.
**How did you find your way to Loyalty Records?**
I got kicked out of my aunt’s crib. \[laughs\] I got fired from Starbucks. I was taking girls’ numbers on the job. It wasn’t hilarious at the time, but now we can laugh. That was the deal: if you come out here, you have to get a job. I was working at this dope restaurant Chillburger back home. I got off work, and my boy Stephen called me. He DM’d me on Instagram like “yo I really love your music.” This was back when nobody ever hit me up. If anything, people would hit me on SoundCloud but nothing else.
He said “I want to get you on the phone,” got me on the phone with Charlie Walk as well. It made me see whoa, these guys are dead serious. I remember jumping up and telling my dad “yo, this is for real.” They flew me out to New York, I brought my father with me. They showed me a lot of love. The reason why I chose them was simply because they’re the first to reach out to me. I really believed and still do believe in building, those are really great people over there. I’m really thankful that a bunch of bosses were like “yo we got you.” Everything with the deal was smooth. It’s a blessing I’m so thankful for them.
**Being only 21, what are some goals for yourself?**
I want to be as important as Drake, as in impact. Drake has an impact, he’s the biggest in the game right now. I want to win awards, Grammys, of course I want to sell records. Hopefully start my own label one day. I really love Jay Z, I’m so inspired by how he moves in the business of music. It’s important to know the lingo of the industry. Definitely want to be successful in this industry because it’s what I love to do. The goal for me isn’t to be rich and famous, but do the my God-given ability the best I can. If I can inspire people on the way, that’s even better.
**How are you holding up with everything going on in the world?**
It’s a really weird energy right now, I don’t think it’s right at all. Racism is horrible. In a time like today, it’s 2020 and we have to do better. I’m still really young, but I’m a Black man. I have love for everyone. If we’re going to move forward as a collective as we should, changes definitely need to be made. I run off love, I never come from a place of anger and fear. I’ve been doing my thing in a peaceful way. I’m not out here in the streets, but I’ve been donating and doing everything I can in a way that fits my energy. I meditate, I’m really big on that.
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