With years of steadily charting solo joints and a
major pop feature under his belt, plus an adventurous new
album coming, “There’s no ceiling for the Dolla”Ty D o l l a $ i g n
photographed by
Koury Angelo on
Au g. 1 5 a t N ex u s
Social Lounge in
Los Angeles.S
omewhere between his 2015 debut,
Free TC, and this fall’s highly anticipated
follow-up, Beach House 3, Ty Dolla $ign,
the rugged R&B vocalist best known for icy
club hits like “Paranoid” and “Or Nah,” decided
to take a chance. Epic Records senior vp A&R
Chris Anokute suggested he swallow his pride
and wade into the pop world, contributing
vocals to an in-progress version of Fifth
Harmony’s “Work From Home.”
“I thought that shit sounded like the
Rugrats,” jokes the 32-year-old, who is often
lumped in with rappers due to his elastic
singing cadences. “I was a little standoffish
about doing that record because it’s not
something I’d listen to in my car. That was my
first time getting into the pop world, so I kind
of doubted myself — but it worked out.”
“Work From Home” became his biggest hit
yet, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
and opening a new lane for the South Central
Los Angeles native. Collaborations with
Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo and Zara Larsson
followed, setting the stage for the sonically
varied Beach House 3. The album, with
appearances from Future, Jeremih and YG,
pushes Ty into more experimental territory,
trying out “new reggae” (“So Am I,” featuring
Skrillex and Damian Marley), off-kilter pop
(“Stare,” featuring Pharrell Williams) and
acoustic guitar balladry (“Famous”).
“There’s no ceiling for the Dolla,” says Ty,
who doesn’t consider BH3 a crossover attempt
(though it’s hard not to hear). “I’m just making
music, and whether people like it, I love it, and
I’ma keep on making music.” A single dad to
12-year-old daughter Jailynn, he has dialed
back the vulgarity: “I’m definitely having
to be that example now,” he admits. He’s
also expanding his brand, launching record
label The Movement with a roster including
MadeinTYO and 24hrs. For now, BH3 marks
a turning point. “I’ve been making music for
fucking years, and then ‘Work From Home’ is
my biggest song?” he says. “It is a great song.
But I feel like I’ve made other, better songs that
didn’t blow to the top. Keep on going, and it’ll
happen for me.” —STEVEN J. HOROWITZ