Young Money: Tyga

Born in Compton in the distant past of - 1989, Cash Money imprint's young signing Tyga is already one of the US' biggest hip hop artists, arriving with his debut single 'Rack City' which went straight to Platinum after selling 1 million copies.

My message is anything can be what you perceive it to be. But I like to focus on having fun and enjoying yourself

Landing on the home of Drake, Nicki Minaj and head honcho Lil Wayne's Cash Money Records, Tyga first came to attention as one of the artists appearing on the offshoot imprint, Young Money’s ‘Bedrock’ and has already worked with the likes of Chris Brown for his hit ‘Deuces’, and Nicki Minaj. Here we speak to the young gun about his early influences as heard in his mixtapes including a collaborative one with Chris Brown & ‘Well Done 2’...

Dazed Digital: Why did you start making music and who were your main influences?
Tyga: It allowed me to express myself and my ideas without meeting people I guess. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Eminem, The Chronicle, Busta Rhymes, G Unit, early Nas... later it was Birdman, then Lil Wayne etc...

DD: Do you have any dream collaborators/vocalists? What's the best thing about being part of the Young Money lot?
Tyga: The album features a lot of collaborations I wanted to use, out to Nicki Minaj, Nas, Robin [Thicke]. The thing about Young Money is that they support their artists, they really let the artists be themselves, let them come into their own. Just being in the studio with them is great, going on tour, and seeing their whole studio process.

DD: Having such a huge audience in the US and worldwide, do you feel you want to portray any messages in your music or is that not on your agenda?
Tyga: I think it all has a message to it. My message is anything can be what you perceive it to be. But I like to focus on having fun and enjoying yourself.

DD: At only 22 you've started off pretty well, where do you want to be in ten years time?
Tyga: Still doing the same thing I'm doing. Hopefully on a way larger level, and just being more creative. Music changes like every month, but I like the party vibes I'm doing - my album is like my story, but there's still a lot of party sounds on it...

DD: What drives you to make music on a daily basis? What are you most excited for next?
Tyga: When I do something, it's all about the audience... they're so on it and so quick to respond, and great feedback is what motivates me. Finishing these tours and albums in the next couple of months and definitely making more music videos.