Words, photo and video by Holiday Kirk (@HolidayKirk)
2015 was a breakout year for Harvey native Ty Money. In part thanks to his Cinco De Money mixtape, which was a critical favorite, even landing on Rolling Stone’s year-end list. Ty has quietly been one of the scene’s best kept secrets, but 2015 is when the rest of the world began paying attention. He’s received notable cosigns from the likes of T.I., Waka Flocka Flame, Twista and Yasiin Bey — and he’s done this with little to no promotion. No big backer. No big budgets. Just raw talent.
His powerful “United Center” song and video made waves amid the controversy surrounding the Laquan McDonald case, as Ty’s video featured the dash cam footage of the teenager being murdered by a Chicago police officer.
So where did he come from? What’s his story? Where is he headed? And what’s on deck for the new year? Well, Holiday Kirk sat down with Ty for an in-depth interview — his very first. He covers it all here, A-Z.
If you prefer watching to reading, you can view the full video interview below as well. Pick your poison.
FSD: When did you start rapping?
TY: I started rapping about 10 years ago. It’s been a minute.
FSD: What compelled you to start rapping?
TY: I always had a musical influence in my life. My pops been putting mics in my hand since I was two years old. He used to play with his little turntables and stuff like that.
FSD: Your father was a musician?
TY: Something like that, not really. Drug dealer who liked music type. Always had DJ equipment in the house.
FSD: Did growing up in the Chicago suburb of Harvey separate you from Chicago culture?
TY: Not really because I came from [Chicago’s hundred block] originally so my grandma still stay out there, my whole family still stay in the city actually but I don’t claim [Chicago] because I haven’t done anything in the city. I haven’t made any money in the city. I made all my money out south, caught cases out south, all my girlfriends from out south so that’s my world.
FSD: Harvey shares a border with Markham and right on that border is Adrianna’s nightclub. What can you tell us about Adrianna’s?
TY: Pretty dope club. That’s like Wrigley Field to Wrigleyville, all the superstars that come to Chicago gotta go there. Adrianna’s is like the home base club for us.
FSD: You were being courted pretty heavily by T.I. in 2012 -13. Can you elaborate on your relationship with T.I.?
TY: We called DJ Drama out here and he brought T.I.’s manager. They took a liking to me, we went to Atlanta and messed with them. Cool dude. This was around 2013.
FSD: Were you being courted by Grand Hustle Records?
TY: Yes but it was too early. Still on good terms with T.I. though.
FSD: Would you say staying independent is the new getting signed?
TY: Yeah. The game is changing and everyone is [staying independent] it’s like a new trend. I think it’s going to be a death to all record deals soon and people are going to start waking up and realizing that they can make their own money.
FSD: Have you seen your fair share of bad contracts?
TY: I’ve probably got a safe full of contracts and none of them are signed.
FSD: So we can expect Ty Money to stay independent?
TY: For as long as I possibly can. They probably going to have to start giving more money.
FSD: Was 2012’s Free Money your first mixtape?
TY: No, that was my first solo mixtape.
FSD: Oh you were with a group?
TY: Yes, FireSquad. Me and my cousin ID. We grew up together, we did everything together, we were like twins so it was a no brainer for us. We dropped a tape around 2007 and another around 2009. We were throwing parties, that was where all the momentum came from.