Tyga
Tyga |
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Michael Stevenson[1] (born November 19, 1989),[2] better known by his stage name Tyga, is an American rapper signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown. He first received recognition with his debut single "Coconut Juice".
Life and career
Tyga was born Michael Stevenson on November 19, 1989, in Compton, California.[2] Born of Jamaican and Vietnamese descent,[1] he is the cousin of Travis McCoy, the lead vocalist of the group Gym Class Heroes.[3] He achieved his first recognition opening for Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes during the Young Wild Things Tour in late 2007. Earlier that year he had also released his first mixtape Young On Probation[4] which featured Jay Rock, The Pack and more. His debut single, "Coconut Juice," was released in 2008 and its video was directed by Rage. His mixtape, No Introduction the Series: April 10, was released online in April.[5] The second part to the series, No Introduction the Series: May 10, was released in May.[6]
The song "Diamond Life" was featured on the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack.[7] and is also included in the Need for Speed Undercover soundtrack and Fighting soundtrack.[8]
With a rangy set of friends from Fall Out Boy to Lil Wayne, it was obvious from the start that Tyga was not your everyday rapper from Compton. After recording a mixtape and promoting it around the city, Tyga ran into his cousin, Gym Class Heroes member Travis McCoy, in the Flight Club L.A. sneaker shop. Their conversation went from shoes to rappers, and as Travis' group went from unknowns to MTV stars, he would always remember that talk and his cousin's unique style. Travis signed Tyga to his Bad Squad label and then invited him along when the punk-pop group Fall Out Boy came calling. Travis and Tyga would appear on the remix to Fall Out Boy's "Arms Race," which also featured Kanye West, Paul Wall, Skinhead Rob, Lupe Fiasco, and Lil Wayne. When the remix became a hit, Tyga found himself performing the track on MTV's Video Music Awards in 2007. He soon entered the studio to do some guest shots for his new friend Lil Wayne before shifting the focus to his solo career. His first single became the hooky "Coconut Juice," a S*A*M & Sluggo production that borrowed a bit of Harry Nilsson's hit "Coconut." As the club track was climbing the charts in the spring of 2008, Tyga was hard at work on his debut album, No Introduction, which was officially released that June.
Jabril J.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions[9] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | Rap Albums | ||
| 2008 | No Introduction
|
112 | 25 | 9 |
| 2010 | Careless World
|
TBR | TBR | TBR |
Mixtapes
- 2007: Young On Probation
- 2008: No Introduction The Series: April 10
- 2008: No Introduction The Series: May 10
- 2008: Slaughterhouse
- 2009: The Free Album (with Clinton Sparks)
- 2009: Outraged & Underage (with DJ Ill Will, DJ Rockstar & Young Money Entertainment)
- 2009: The Potential (with Young Money Entertainment)
- 2009: Black Thoughts (with DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
- 2010: Fan of a Fan (with Chris Brown, DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)
- 2010: Well Done
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions[10] | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | U.S. Pop | |||
| 2008 | "Coconut Juice" (featuring Travis McCoy) | 94 | — | — | 64 | No Introduction |
| 2010 | "I'm On It" (featuring Lil Wayne) | — | — | — | — | Careless World |
With Young Money
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | |||
| 2009 | "BedRock" (with Young Money Entertainment featuring Lloyd) | 2 | 2 | 1 | We Are Young Money |
| 2010 | "Roger That" (with Young Money Entertainment) | 56 | 15 | 6 | |
As featured performer
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | U.S. Rap | |||
| 2010 | "Deuces" (Chris Brown featuring Tyga & Kevin McCall) | 56 | 11 | — | Fan of a Fan |
| "Loyalty" (Birdman featuring Lil Wayne & Tyga) | — | 72 | — | Bigger Than Life | |
Tyga is currently engaged to Nicki Minaj
References
- ^ a b "Rapper Tyga Tests Solo Waters With 'No Introduction'". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- ^ a b Jeffries, David. "Tyga Biography". Retrieved November 2, 2008. Allmusic
- ^ "Pete Wentz, Travis McCoy Celebrate Poolside In Tyga's 'Coconut Juice'". MTV. March 17, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
- ^ The Source Magazine September/October 2009 Issue #234
- ^ "Tyga – No Introduction: The Series – April 10". illRoots. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
- ^ "Tyga – No Introduction: The Series – May 10". illRoots. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (July 8, 2008). "New Franz Ferdinand Track Leads 'Madden' Soundtrack". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
- ^ "NFS UC Soundtrack Soundtrack". November 23, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
- ^ "Artist Chart History – Tyga – Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
- ^ "Artist Chart History – Tyga – Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 19, 2009.