Bryson Tiller

Overview

Bryson Tiller is an American singer and rapper from Louisville, Kentucky, who became a key breakout star in contemporary R&B during the 2010s. He first gained mainstream recognition with his 2015 single "Don't," which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified septuple platinum by the RIAA. The song was the lead single from his debut studio album, T R A P S O U L (2015), which reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and achieved triple-platinum status. The album helped popularize the trap soul subgenre and also included the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum single "Exchange."

Tiller's subsequent albums continued his commercial success. His second studio album, True to Self (2017), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His third album, A N N I V E R S A R Y, was released in 2020 and peaked at No. 5. Throughout his career, Tiller has also been featured on several 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 duet "Could" ve Been. "

In early 2024, Tiller scored another significant hit with the single" Whatever She Wants, "which reached the Top 20 in both the U.S. and the U.K. The track was included on his eponymous fourth album, Bryson Tiller, which was released in April 2024 and peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200.

Early life and origins

Bryson Vernard Tiller was born on January 2, 1993, in Louisville, Kentucky. He started singing and rapping as a high school student and released his first mixtape, Killer Instinct, Vol. 1, in 2011. In his early twenties, Tiller gained wider recognition by uploading tracks such as" Don't, "" Break Bread, "and" Let "Em Know" to SoundCloud. The online attention led to collaborations with producer Timbaland, who convinced Tiller to quit his job to pursue music full-time. Drake also expressed interest in signing Tiller to his OVO Sound label, but Tiller ultimately accepted a recording contract with RCA Records. He 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 SoundCloud uploads, including "Don't," which attracted the attention of producer Timbaland and rapper Drake. After considering an offer from Drake's OVO Sound label, Tiller signed with RCA Records. He 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 eventually certified septuple platinum by the RIAA.

Tiller's debut studio album, T R A P S O U L, was released in October 2015. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum. The album included the multi-platinum singles "Exchange" and "Sorry Not Sorry." "Exchange" peaked at No. 26 on the pop charts and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song. 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 single "Wild Thoughts," which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the years that followed, Tiller collaborated with artists including Jazmine Sullivan on "Insecure" and H.E.R. on the Grammy-nominated track "Could" ve Been. "His third album, A N N I V E R S A R Y, was released in October 2020 and debuted at No. 5. The album featured a guest appearance from Drake on the song" Outta Time. "In October 2021, Tiller released the mixtape Killer Instinct 2: The Nightmare Before. The following month, he released a holiday EP, A Different Christmas, which included collaborations with 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 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 known for a hybrid style of contemporary R&B and hip-hop, which he helped popularize under the name" trap soul. "His debut album, 2015's T R A P S O U L, is described as a" moody if swaggering set of slow jams "that established this subgenre in the mainstream. His music typically blends singing and rapping over atmospheric, trap-influenced instrumentals. This signature sound, characterized by what has been called" thumping slow jams, "continued on his 2017 sophomore album, True to Self.

Early in his career, Tiller's SoundCloud uploads drew interest from prominent figures in music. Producer Timbaland reached out to collaborate, co-producing the track" Sorry Not Sorry "for T R A P S O U L. Drake also expressed interest in signing Tiller to his OVO Sound label before Tiller ultimately signed with RCA. Tiller's collaborations reflect his standing in the R&B and hip-hop community. His 2020 album, A N N I V E R S A R Y, included" Outta Time, "which featured Drake and production from OVO mainstays 40, Nineteen85, and Vinylz. He has also appeared on major hits as a featured artist, including DJ Khaled's" Wild Thoughts "with Rihanna and H.E.R.'s Grammy-nominated" Could "ve Been."

While his core sound has remained largely consistent, Tiller has explored other styles. In 2021, he released the holiday EP A Different Christmas, which featured collaborations with Justin Bieber, Pentatonix, and Kiana Ledé on a collection of mostly original songs and an update of "Winter Wonderland." His self-titled fourth album, released in 2024, was led by the hit single "Whatever She Wants," a track that originated on a SoundCloud mixtape, demonstrating a continued link to his early career sound.

Recent highlights

In early 2024, Bryson Tiller achieved a significant chart success with the single "Whatever She Wants." The track, which was previously available on a SoundCloud mixtape, received a wider commercial release and reached the Top 20 in both the U.S. and the U.K. The song was included on his eponymous fourth album, Bryson Tiller, which was released in April 2024. His recent work also includes the 2023 single "Down Like That" and the 2022 single "Outside." In 2022, Tiller was a featured artist on Diddy's track "Gotta Move On." In late 2021, he released two projects: a Halloween-themed mixtape, Killer Instinct 2: The Nightmare Before, and a holiday EP titled A Different Christmas, which featured guest appearances from Justin Bieber, Pentatonix, and Kiana Ledé.

Recognition and awards

Bryson Tiller has received multiple accolades for his music, including two BET Awards. He has also earned several Grammy Award nominations, including a nomination for Best R&B Song for his 2015 single "Exchange" and for his duet with H.E.R., "Could" ve Been. "Tiller's work has achieved significant commercial success, leading to numerous certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His debut single," Don't, "is certified septuple platinum. His debut album, Trapsoul, was certified platinum within six months of its release and has since reached triple-platinum status. The album also produced the multi-platinum singles" Exchange "and" Sorry Not Sorry. "

Similar artists

Artists often compared to Bryson Tiller include a range of his peers in contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Among them are Drake, Chris Brown, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jhené Aiko, H.E.R., Kehlani, Tory Lanez, Summer Walker, and Brent Faiyaz. The list of similar acts also features Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, Miguel, GIVĒON, 6LACK, Wale, Jacquees, Lloyd, DeJ Loaf, Sonder, and Roy Woods.