Chances are if you're a fan of hip-hop, rap, and R&B you've come across Ty Dolla $ign's unmistakable work. Born Tyrone William Griffin, Ty first gained popularity in 2010 with his guest feature on YG's flagrantly fun Toot It And Boot It. Singing the hook on the braggadocious hit introduced many fans to the silken vocals of the Los Angeles native. Little did we know what an industry staple he would become.
Whether he's lending his voice to an ass-shaking bop like Hot Girl Summer, creating a classic hip-hop moment on Fade, or turning to EDM producers to spice up tracks with everyone from Boys Noize and Skrillex (Midnight Hour) to Afrojack (Gone), Ty unequivocally has the Midas touch.
In 2020 he shows no sign of slowing down, with the release of Ego Death featuring Skrillex, Kanye West and FKA Twigs. A bricolage of hip-hop and late '80s Chicago house, Ego Death expertly samples Ralph Rosario's You Used To Hold Me (Musco Michie House Mix), Queen Latifah's iconic hit Dance For Me, as well as Doing Fine (Peace) a 2004 deep cut from Kanye's discography. Then there's the interpolation of Kanye's infamous 2018 Instagram rant when he took aim at Nick Cannon, Drake, and Tyson Beckford — we all know how much Ye loves wryly winking at listeners with self-referential clips.
Ultimately, it confirms what we've all known to be true, that Ty knows how to get our attention with simmering production, glossy hooks, and his distinct honeyed voice.
To celebrate the release of Ego Death we're celebrating 11 of the hip-hop chameleon's best guest features.
Fifth Harmony - Work From Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
There are times that feature guests outshine the main artist, but Ty has mastered the ability to add to a song and turn it into a rounded classic. Fifth Harmony's Work From Home is the perfect culmination of this. The glittery pop jaunt is underscored by physical comedy but what the listeners walk away remembering is the simmering seduction of Ty who turns an otherwise squeaky clean pop song into an R&B-infused moment.
Megan Thee Stallion - Hot Girl Summer (feat. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign)
Months of internet sloganeering led to the inevitable release of Hot Girl Summer in 2019. When Megan Thee Stallion announced she had tapped the queen of rap, Nicki Minaj, and the champion of guest features, everyone was salivating for what would be the song of the year. And the fresh, bubbly and irreverently fun hit didn't disappoint.
Zara Larsson - So Good (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson has a way of creating catchy, powdery pop hits and So Good is one of her best. Lyrics like "your love so good, girl/Got me comin' back for seconds, what's good, girl?" shows why artists from every genre turn to Ty to add that certain je ne sais quoi to their songs. It's referential, doesn't miss the mark but also brings a new dimension to the exuberant hit.
Jason Derulo - Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign)
This driving dancehall beat makes for the perfect meeting of Jason Derulo, Nicki, and Ty. The three heavyweights take the catchy club hit to another level with Ty's gritty husk out in force on this cheeky verse.
Drake - After Dark (feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Static Major)
After Dark is the R&B deep cut from Drake's 2018 album, Scorpion that often gets lost in the mix. We're here to tell you that it's time to pay attention to this simmering beat, if for nothing but seeing Drake back on his sing-song flow. All that's left for Ty to do is add the perfectly planted vocal flourishes that take this song from midnight to 4am real quick.
Post Malone - Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
Post Malone's woozy offering Psycho reached #1 on the charts in the US, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Slovakia, and Sweden. Posty's signature warble melts seamlessly into Ty's flirtatious wisps, creating a mellifluous meeting of the two artists on the languid trap hit.
Roddy Ricch - Bacc Seat (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
This time, on Bacc Seat Ty joins Roddy Ricch on his Southern-rap inspired meditation on women, love and sex. Ty's collaboration with the up and coming rap superstar exemplifies the singer's widespread appeal. No matter the genre or generation, the Los Angeles singer's voice is highly sought after.
Wiz Khalifa - Something New (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
If you've been on TikTok recently, it's likely that you've heard the hook from Something New courtesy of Ty. The clip of him singing, "baby, come give me something new," has amassed over 4 million videos on the app.
Teyana Taylor - 3Way (feat Ty Dolla $ign)
If you thought Ty had a penchant for sultry features, 3Way is a good case in point. Almost all of his features pale in comparison to the hot and heavy content of the aptly named song, which sees Teyana Taylor and Ty go back to back on a duet that isn't just sensual but one of the best songs on KTSE.
Mac Miller - Cinderella (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
Meditating on the life of the late Mac Miller can be difficult, though moments like Cinderella offer something special to look back on.
Kids See Ghosts - Freeee [Ghost Town Pt. 2] (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
The historic collaboration between friends and artists, Kid Cudi and Kanye was bound to see a Ty feature in the mix. Freeee is a frisson of joy and catharsis underscored by the synergy shared by all three artists.
