Ricky Tyler: I’m proof you can be a good rapper and singer

The recent Def Jam Africa signee kick-started his career in 2016 with the release of ‘Swerve’, an trap-inspired track the caught the attention of US-born, SA-based rapper Tshego, who remixed it. That same year, Ricky Tyler dropped the catchy single ‘Breathing’.

He recently released ‘Everything’, a song off his upcoming 14-track debut album titled Small World, which is set for release on 17 July. The album features M.I Abaga, Alpha P, KLY and Harvey.

Tyler has also dropped three videos ahead of the album release: ‘Déjà Vu’, ‘Alter Ego’ (Interlude) and ‘Thirty K’s’.

Music In Africa spoke with the artist about the Small World album, his inspirations, the SA hip hop scene and his recent partnership with Def Jam Africa.

MUSIC IN AFRICA: Can you take us through the making of Small World?

RICKY TYLER: It was an emotional rollercoaster but also therapeutic in some ways. Albums to me are very much a spiritual thing. The making of Small World allowed me to tap into emotions, thoughts, memories and feelings that I hadn’t yet addressed and how I feel about a lot of things. And in some ways, I was getting to know myself better.

What inspired the album title? Was it something positive or negative?

The inspiration was both positive and negative as you’ll see once you listen to the album in full. I tackle various themes on the project regarding love, heartache, my insecurities, the challenges I’ve overcome, the milestones I’ve achieved and things I’m proud of.

I wanted to expand the narrative of the phrase 'small world', which on its own pretty much means you met someone at an unexpected place and you find out that they happen to know someone close to you, or maybe you went to the same high school, and so on.

When I hear ‘small world’ to me it means that to a certain extent, we’re all connected. Connected through shared life experiences, struggles, heartbreaks, failures, triumphs, our values and what drives us. I’m basically saying I’m just like you and we can always relate on some level, be it heartache, love, victory. There is always something connecting us all.

What issues do you address in the album?

The main topics or issues I address on this album are the preconceived notions about men, how people in general lack gratitude for the things they have, how we sometimes undervalue ourselves, and things that stop us from achieving our own greatness and purpose.

Who wrote and produced the album?

I wrote the entire project myself, except for the parts that the featured artists brought in. The entire project was mixed and produced by PlayGround, the producer duo comprising Glody Kasongo and Kyle Brown.

Who was Ricky Tyler before he joined the music industry?

An aspiring actor, a dancer, soccer player, model. Pretty much an all-round entertainer.

Which song would you say earned you enough fame to get signed to Def Jam Africa?

Definitely ‘Thirty K’s’.

How do you feel about being part of the Def Jam Africa?

It feels great, definitely a confidence booster. It feels unreal but at the same time it feels deserved because of all the hard work I’ve put towards my music career thus far. Above all, it’s a dream come true for my talent to be recognised at such an international level.

Which artist do you look up to? And which artists did you grow up listening to?

I look up to Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, Drake, Kanye West and Jay-Z. I grew up listening to Lil Wayne, Bone Thugs, Lauryn Hill, Eminem, Neyo, Usher, Tupac and B.I.G.

Why are collaborations important in the career of an artist and who would you want to collaborate with?

Collaborations are great because they expose you to a different market and fans who either don’t know you or aren’t familiar with you. I would like to feature Shekhinah, Nasty C, K.O, 6Lack, Drake, Elaine, Rema, Wizkid, Jorja Smith, Nadia Nakai, Cassper Nyovest and A-Reece.

How would you change the rap scene in South Africa and Africa?

I want to change more than just the rap game. I’m a versatile artist, so more than anything I want to change this notion that an artist can only be one thing. You’re either a singer, a rapper or you’re making Afro-beats. Going forward, I want to let South Africa, the rest Africa and the world know that just because you’re a rapper or a singer doesn’t mean that you can’t do another genre as well. Because I sing well, I rap well and I’m proof that you can do both and be accepted for both. I don’t want my creativity or artistic licence to be put in a box. I like to keep things interesting by being unpredictable.