We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tyler Lauren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tyler below.

Tyler, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

When I finished my debut project (Not Too Bad For A Crybaby, 2022), I really felt like that was the most meaningful project I’ve worked on, creatively. I think it’ll always be extra special to me, not only because it was my debut, but because the years I put into that project were probably some of the most formative in my life.

But with the music I’ve been making this year, from “TRU LUV (ft. Michael Sneed)” to the unreleased singles that are dropping in the next few months, I’m feeling the same pride and contentment that I did with my first project. I feel like one of those parents that doesn’t know how they’ll possibly be able to love a second child as much as their first until it finally happens. It’s funny. It’s teaching me a lot about being a creative. I’m learning that every project has the ability to be just as significant as the one preceding it. It’s taught me about urgency in the sense that there is nothing to save myself or my art for; I will find meaningful things to turn into art in perpetuity. Everything CAN be meaningful that way, and I think for me, that’s how it’s starting to feel.

Tyler, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up around music in every form, from musicians and singers, to dancers and music lovers. I have so many memories singing along to R&B lyrics I didn’t fully understand with my parents, or listening to jazz with my grandparents and practicing syncopated drum grooves on my lap. I was writing, looking back, probably unnecessarily angsty lyrics for original songs all throughout childhood. And on lots of occasions, I vividly remember writing them thinking, “Just in case I need these one day.” I can’t recall any specific moment where I realized that I wanted to be in music for the rest of my life. It’s always felt like that desire has been around as long as I’ve known about the concept of careers and “growing up.”

Now, as an artist, I really just try to keep my focus on making music that I would want to listen to if it were made by someone else. I want to be authentic in my artistry and create with a respect for the craft at the forefront. I feel a deep sense of being “one” in a collective when it comes to music. Being an artist, for me, is a constant balance of creative freedom and a recognition of responsibility to listeners, colleagues, culture, marginalized peoples, etc. I say this whenever I’m asked about legacy, but I really think we’re here to leave things better than we found them. I think music can only help me with that, so I’m having fun.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I wish I had a better backstory, but the biggest lesson I’ve had to unlearn in this industry is that perfectionism can be your downfall just as much as it contribute to your successes, if not much more. That lesson isn’t for everyone to unlearn. There are lots of people that could use boosts in work ethic or attention to detail, for example. But there are also lots of people that, instead of producing or sharing low quality work, never even get that far due to perfectionism. I definitely identify with the latter group.

From my own lessons learned, as well as advice from bigger artists, managers, and label executives, I’ve learned that consistency and commitment to growth are more important than new artists realize. Perfect isn’t attainable, but if it were, it definitely wouldn’t be possible without some trial and error, anyway. Accepting that my relationship with perfectionism wasn’t just inconvenient, but also an inevitable detriment to my career was essential for me. And even so, it’s a relationship I am constantly rehabilitating.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

(response included in prior question from previous page)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tylerlaaauren
• Twitter: @tylerlaaauren
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@officialtylerlauren
• Other: all DSPs and major streaming platforms: Tyler Lauren

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