Tayf3rd on Signing to Uncle Snoop's Army & New Project
Hailing from the LBC aka Long Beach, CA comes TayF3rd - (Tay-ehf-Third) - Half Sudanese and Korean American, Underground Hip Hop artist born in the same Southern California section infamous for producing gangsta rap icons such as Warren G, Snoop Dogg and DPG.
Tay came to fame as a jerkin' music legend known for the hit, “I Smoke, I Drink, I Jerk”. He is now being the one groomed to take the Long Beach throne with respect to the legends and OGs. Standing set apart in his unique lyricism, Tayf3rd is the one that West Coast and worldwide Hip Hop fans are checking for.
Catch up with the budding rapper in his first Hype Off Life exclusive, where we get into life in Long Beach, his new project, 'Tales from the Shrimp' and signing to Uncle Snoop's Army. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
Photo credit: Steve Azzara
What was life like in Long Beach back in the day?
It was pretty normal, just was a bunch of mixed races chilling, skateboarding. Obviously occasional gang activities which lead to fights but it was all substance, made character.
Who did you grow up listening to the most?
I listened to a lot of Lil Wayne when he was doing his mixtape run and Jay-Z’s ‘American Gangsta’ album. Then like outta nowhere I started liking southern music and listened strictly to Gucci Mane for like 5 summers.
Your single, “ I Smoke, I Drink, I Jerk” is a jerkin’ music classic. What do you miss the most about the movement?
Just the freedom of music, the fun, the parties. Lol. It wasn’t really no boundaries.
What a lot of people don’t know is that you recently got signed to Uncle Snoop’s Army. How did that deal come about?
My publicist set it up with Bobby Dee and we talked bout it for sometime, then put it in stone.
You also just dropped a new project, ‘Tales from the Shrimp’? Where and when did you record it?
I did that last year September - November. I was supposed to put it out in December, but I was holding onto it for other reasons. I recorded it at my boy Rome's house, that's where I do most of my recordings. My boy kcsauce mastered it and Kayoe did most production.
What is the meaning behind it’s title?
Just being the underdog
Which track do you want people to hear the most. Why?
Uhhh how do you say the whole thing as a number? Lol
Do you plan on dropping any visuals or merch we should keep a lookout for?
Yes, kingtayf3rd.com for the merch, and I’m dropping “Big Ass Smile” soon. Plus a lot more.
You’ve been heavy in the underground for years now. What are some goals you set at the beginning of your career that you’ve reached already?
Tryna be around the world, need them checks to feed my good peoples.
Where do you want to take it in the 20s?
Where it hasn’t been!
Follow: @tayf3rd
"Make It Right"
"On My Side"
'Tales from the Shrimp'
