Bryson Tiller’s rise in R&B was not without challenges.
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During a recent appearance on the “Rory & Mal” podcast, he recounted an early experience that nearly left him broke and without direction.
The story began as his breakout single “Don’t” gained traction online. Timbaland reached out and invited Tiller to collaborate. When Tiller hesitated because of his job, Timbaland told him, “This is work.” Tiller asked, “You saying I should quit my job or something?” and Timbaland responded, “Yeah.”
Following the advice, Tiller quit his job and traveled to Miami immediately.
He recorded three or four songs that would later appear on “TRAPSOUL,” but Timbaland was not entirely satisfied. Returning home, Tiller faced financial uncertainty. He had little money left from what Timbaland had provided, and he was unsure about his status.
“So, like how does this work? Am I signed right now? So I called him up. I was like, ‘Yo. So when am I gone get my next payment?… And my boy Rich was like, ‘Yo, Timbaland said he never told you to quit your job.’ I was sick, dog,” he thought back on the moment.
The situation created pressure at home.
“My girl at the time was already looking at me crazy cause I quit my job. That was how we was taking care of our kids. I had to figure something out,” Tiller said. Despite these challenges, he refused to give up on his music. “At that point, that was when I realized I was like, ‘All right, I just gotta keep going.’”
Tiller’s persistence led to the creation of “TRAPSOUL,” his 2015 debut album.
“The next thing you know, it was like, every week something was happening. Every week, something amazing was happening. I just couldn’t believe it was like a wildfire,” Tiller shared.
In a statement to another media outlet, Timbaland replied to Tiller’s claims.
“At that time, I just saw a talented kid. I didn’t know if he wanted to be a full-fledged artist,” he stated.
“TRAPSOUL” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and earned a triple platinum certification. Songs such as “Don’t,” “Exchange,” and “Sorry Not Sorry” established Tiller as a major force in music.
