Who Is Ty Dolla $ign?

He's making waves thanks to "My Cabana," but the L.A. singer/producer's roots in music run much deeper.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

When "Toot It and Boot It" came out in 2009, it was rapper YG who scored a Def Jam deal (and a newer video, and a remix with Snoop and 50). But the bassline-driven beat and hooky chorus—catchy and undeniable as they were—were created by a singer/songwriter by the name of Ty Dolla $ign, an artist whose connection to music runs deeper than this one massive hit.

Ty has been in and around music for years. His father was an established, successful musician, and he grew up a multi-instrumentalist. In the past year, Ty's profile as a solo artist has grown considerably, culminating in a playfully pimpish anthem "My Cabana" (now nearing 60,000 views on YouTube) and follow-up mixtape Beach House, which delivers on the promise of the single, blending hip-hop and R&B with a hint of '90s pop-rock melodicism.

Like a less self-serious version of The Weeknd, Ty is one of the most promising artists to work in this particular R. Kelly-style R&B vein since The-Dream broke a few years back.

But who is Ty Dolla $ign?

As told to David Drake (@somanyshrimp)

Growing Up in Los Angeles and Around Music

Not Available Interstitial

Hanging With 50 Cent and Breaking Into the Industry

Not Available Interstitial

Influences and His Style of Music

Not Available Interstitial

Producing With His Crew, D.R.U.G.$.

Not Available Interstitial

The Beach House Mixtape

Not Available Interstitial

Dealing With Labels and Signing to Atlantic Records

Not Available Interstitial

The Future

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Music