Bryson Tiller

Overview

Bryson Tiller is an American singer and rapper from Louisville, Kentucky, who became a key figure in contemporary R&B with his blend of hip-hop and soul. He gained mainstream recognition with his 2015 single "Don't," which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified septuple-platinum. The track served as the lead single for his debut album, T R A P S O U L (2015), which reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and helped popularize the trap soul subgenre. The album, certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA, also included the Grammy-nominated single "Exchange." Tiller's subsequent albums continued his chart success, with True to Self (2017) debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and A N N I V E R S A R Y (2020) peaking at No. 5. He has also been featured on major hits, including DJ Khaled's "Wild Thoughts" alongside Rihanna, which reached No. 2 on the Hot 100, and H.E.R.'s Grammy-nominated "Could" ve Been. "In April 2024, Tiller released his self-titled fourth album, which was preceded by the Top 20 hit" Whatever She Wants. "His work has earned him multiple accolades, including two BET Awards.

Early life and origins

Bryson Tiller was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and began singing and rapping while in high school. In 2011, during his late teens, he released his debut mixtape, Killer Instinct, Vol. 1. He gained wider recognition in his early twenties through tracks he uploaded to SoundCloud, including" Don't, "" Break Bread, "and" Let "Em Know." This early work attracted the attention of producer Timbaland, who encouraged Tiller to quit his job to pursue music full-time. The rapper Drake also expressed interest in signing Tiller to his OVO Sound label. After deliberation, Tiller accepted a deal with RCA Records and made his major-label debut in May 2015 with the commercial release of "Don't."

Career

Bryson Tiller began his career in 2011 with the mixtape Killer Instinct, Vol. 1. He gained wider recognition through songs he uploaded to SoundCloud, including "Don't," which led to interest from producers Timbaland and Drake. Tiller ultimately signed a record deal with RCA Records and made his major-label debut in May 2015 with the commercial release of "Don't." The single peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later certified septuple-platinum by the RIAA.

In October 2015, Tiller released his debut studio album, T R A P S O U L. The album reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum within six months of its release, eventually earning a triple-platinum certification. The album included the singles "Exchange," which reached No. 26 on the pop charts and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song, and "Sorry Not Sorry," which was co-produced by Timbaland.

His second album, True to Self, was released in May 2017 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Around the same time, Tiller was featured alongside Rihanna on DJ Khaled's hit single "Wild Thoughts," which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also collaborated with Jazmine Sullivan on "Insecure" for the soundtrack of the television series of the same name and with H.E.R. on the Grammy-nominated track "Could" ve Been. "

Tiller's third album, A N N I V E R S A R Y, arrived in October 2020 and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The album featured a collaboration with Drake titled" Outta Time. "The following year, he released the mixtape Killer Instinct 2: The Nightmare Before and a holiday EP, A Different Christmas, which included guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Pentatonix, and Kiana Ledé.

In 2022, Tiller was a featured artist on Diddy's" Gotta Move On "and released the solo single" Outside. "He followed this with" Down Like That "in 2023. In early 2024, his track" Whatever She Wants "was given a wide commercial release and became a Top 20 hit in the U.S. and U.K. The song was included on his self-titled fourth album, Bryson Tiller, which was released in April 2024 and peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

Style and influences

Bryson Tiller is a singer and rapper whose music blends R&B and hip-hop. His style is most frequently categorized as trap soul, a subgenre he helped popularize with his 2015 debut album," T R A P S O U L. "His sound is often described as moody, swaggering slow jams, and his debut album has been cited as highly influential on the sound of contemporary R&B. His work is also classified within alternative R&B and neo-soul.

Tiller's early career was marked by interest from prominent artists. Producer Timbaland reached out to collaborate after hearing his early SoundCloud uploads and co-produced the song" Sorry Not Sorry "on" T R A P S O U L. "Drake also expressed interest in signing Tiller to his OVO Sound label. Tiller's track" Just Another Interlude "samples Drake's" Bria's Interlude, "which itself samples Missy Elliott's" Friendly Skies. "Producers on his debut album included Sango, J-Louis, Epikh Pro, Ayo, and Syk Sense, among others.

Throughout his career, Tiller has collaborated with a wide range of artists. He was featured alongside Rihanna on DJ Khaled's 2017 hit" Wild Thoughts "and has recorded duets with H.E.R. (" Could "ve Been") and Jazmine Sullivan ("Insecure"). His 2020 album, "A N N I V E R S A R Y," featured a collaboration with Drake on the track "Outta Time," which was produced by Drake's frequent collaborators 40, Nineteen85, and Vinylz. Other collaborators include Diddy, Justin Bieber, Kiana Ledé, Big Sean, and Victoria Monét.

Tiller's sonic approach has remained consistent while also evolving. His second album, 2017's "True to Self," was described as another set dominated by thumping slow jams. He later explored different themes with the 2021 holiday EP "A Different Christmas." His self-titled fourth album, released in 2024, continued to build on his signature sound while incorporating new collaborations.

Recent highlights

In April 2024, Bryson Tiller released his eponymous fourth album. The project was anchored by the hit single "Whatever She Wants," which became a Top 20 hit in the U.S. and U.K. after its wide release in early 2024. The album also features the single "CALYPSO" and a collaboration with Victoria Monét, "Persuasion." This period of activity followed the release of his solo singles "Outside" in 2022 and "Down Like That" in 2023. Tiller also appeared as a guest on Diddy's 2022 track "Gotta Move On" and collaborated with Chris Brown on the June 2024 song "wait on it."

Recognition and awards

Bryson Tiller has received multiple accolades for his work, including two BET Awards and several Grammy Award nominations. His single "Exchange" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best R&B Song, and his duet with H.E.R., "Could" ve Been, "also earned a Grammy nomination. Tiller's releases have achieved numerous RIAA certifications. His breakout 2015 single," Don't, "is certified septuple platinum. His debut album, Trapsoul, was certified platinum within six months of its 2015 release and has since been certified 5x platinum. The album also includes the multi-platinum singles" Exchange "and" Sorry Not Sorry. "

Similar artists

Bryson Tiller is often compared to a range of peers who also blend R&B and hip-hop elements. This group of similar artists includes Drake, Chris Brown, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jhené Aiko, H.E.R., Kehlani, Tory Lanez, and Summer Walker. Other comparable acts include Brent Faiyaz, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, Miguel, GIVĒON, 6LACK, Wale, Jacquees, Lloyd, DeJ Loaf, Sonder, and Roy Woods.