Ty Dolla $ign: Career of Hits, Features, Leon Thomas, The Weeknd, Mustard, Post Malone, Vultures #99

Go With Elmo episode 99 dives deep into the career and creative process of Ty Dolla $ign, one of the most influential and versatile artists in contemporary music. Hosted by Elmo Lovano with special guest Ty Dolla $ign, this installment details Ty’s journey from his musical upbringing, breakthrough collaborations, and genre-defining hits to his role as a mentor and label founder. With stories from the studio, industry insights, and reflections on personal growth, this episode is a must-listen for music fans and anyone seeking inspiration from a true artist’s evolution.

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About the Guest: Ty Dolla $ign

Ty Dolla $ign (Tyrone William Griffin Jr.) is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and singer, recognized for his melodic sensibility and genre-blending collaborations. Hailing from Los Angeles and steeped in music from a young age (with his father a celebrated musician for Lakeside), Ty shifted from session work and local gigs to crafting some of the biggest hits of the past decade. Not only does he work behind the scenes writing, producing, and engineering, but his own voice and style have become synonymous with chart-topping success. As co-founder of Easy Money Records, Ty continues to nurture the next wave of talent, extending his legacy both in front of and behind the mic.

Episode Summary

This episode tracks Ty Dolla $ign’s career arc, beginning with stories of his early exposure to music through his father’s studio and touring, to his first musical projects and the fateful meeting with YG that led to “Toot It and Boot It.” Elmo Lovano and Ty Dolla $ign explore Ty’s breakthrough with Beach House mixtapes, collaborations with DJ Mustard, the evolution of the LA sound, and his unique approach to features—treating other artists as instruments to create songs that resonate worldwide. The show touches on Ty’s work with all-star artists such as The Weeknd, Future, Kanye West, and more, culminating in his transition to executive leadership and artist mentorship at Easy Money Records.

Key Highlights

Musical Roots and Early Experiences

Raised in an environment saturated with legendary musicians like Earth, Wind & Fire and Rick James, Ty Dolla $ign’s journey started on the couch banging drumsticks before moving to keys and bass. From playing in a band as a kid to performing at events like Jay Brown’s wedding, Ty honed his skills through exposure and immersion in music’s creative community.

“My living room alone was a studio… always around musicians.” – Ty Dolla $ign

Breaking Through: Toot It and Boot It & The Birth of the LA Sound

Ty’s pivotal moment came after meeting YG and producing “Toot It and Boot It”—a departure from his previous style. Encouraged by Mustard and YG to simplify and embrace minimalism, Ty adapted, incorporating only a few key sounds into tracks. His willingness to pivot led to the emergence of the LA sound dominating radio and the charts. Featuring in the episode are anecdotes about Mustard’s rise as a producer and their mutually supportive dynamic.

“If it wasn’t for those conversations with Mustard and YG, like, ‘dumb it down, do this,’ maybe I wouldn’t have hit the way I did.” – Ty Dolla $ign

Features as Instruments: Building Musical Collectives

Ty’s approach to featuring artists is compared to choosing instruments for a track, drawing parallels between guitar or sax solos and the use of particular voices. Rather than transactional collaborations, Ty sees music creation as a collective, born from real relationships and creative synergy.

“I’m not even looking at it like features… It’s just like we happen to be in the studio. That’s like how most of the features work.” – Ty Dolla $ign

Songwriting and Engineering Mastery

The episode reveals Ty’s technical prowess not only as a musician but as an engineer, mixer, and producer. His knowledge, learned from mentors like Mike Karen, is applied to crafting hooks and melodies with precision and emotion. Ty’s hitmaking process is pragmatic yet intuitive, evolving from session work to mainstream hits.

Landmark Collaborations and Diamond Records

From writing for Trey Songz to working with the likes of The Weeknd, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, and Post Malone, Ty Dolla $ign has contributed fingerprints to countless Billboard hits. Notably, his remix of “Or Nah” with The Weeknd, and Post Malone’s “Psycho,” both reached diamond status—a rare achievement celebrated in the episode

“Not a lot of people have Diamond Records. I have two.” – Ty Dolla $ign

Artist Development and Easy Money Records

Ty’s transition to co-founder of Easy Money Records marks a new chapter as he mentors rising stars like Leon Thomas. The episode discusses the importance of forging one’s own path in the industry, finding your audience, and maintaining authenticity, whether it’s 38 people at your first show or a stadium sold out.

“Find your lane and be serious about this… It’s not going to be how it went for Ty Dolla $ign. It’s going to go how it goes for you.” – Ty Dolla $ign

Personal Growth and Balance

The show takes time to reflect on Ty’s personal journey—the ups and downs, loss and success, and the constant effort to find balance. Ty credits gratitude and accountability as vital tools for keeping grounded amidst career highs and personal challenges.

Most Interesting Moments

Origin Stories: Ty’s recounting of passing out mixtapes at Sundance Film Festival and forging connections with everyone from Will I Am to Justin Timberlake.
Collaborative Chemistry: The organic creation of hits during studio sessions, and Ty’s description of features as musical “instruments.”
Mentorship: Stories of Mustard and Leon Thomas illustrate Ty’s nurturing of talent and belief in the collective rise of artists, not just individual stardom.
Raw Lyricism and Honesty: The increasing explicitness of Ty’s lyrics, his reflections on “Or Nah,” and openness about his journey from playboy to seeking personal balance.
Impact of Industry Changes: Insight into the unpredictability of record label politics and the need to adapt when things like staff shakeups affect album launches.
Global Reach: Ty’s performances in places like Saudi Arabia, stories of cross-cultural musical exchange, and his experiences with global audiences.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Go With Elmo offers an unfiltered, deeply personal look at Ty Dolla $ign’s creative ethos, his drive for collective success, and his masterful adaptability as both artist and mentor. Whether describing the energy in the studio, breaking down the musical evolution of LA, or reflecting on personal challenges, Ty’s authenticity and vision shine through. If you’re passionate about music’s power to shape culture and bring people together, or searching for advice on forging your own unique path, episode 99 delivers wisdom, inspiration, and some truly legendary tales.

Listen to the full episode for more on Ty’s creative process, collaborations, and advice for aspiring artists.

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