Tyler N Stevie are already a big deal in New Jersey. There they have amassed ardent supporters and have released countless cover videos on YouTube, impressing thousands across their home state and across the world with their slick yet catchy sound. In fact, the duo’s music is a cross between pop and rap. Their new single, “You Had Me At Hello,” is an amply mid-tempo demonstration of their budding mainstream appeal. Think of them as a combination between Macklemore and Flo Rida, with their hip-hop influences and experimental pop filters intertwined like nucleotides on a strand of DNA. Now, busy in the studio and jet setting between the UK and US, they emerge with full colors on their new EP, Ghost – which you need to wrap your ears around pronto. We recently spoke with Stevie and recounted the early days of his friendship with Tyler, detailed the driving force for their music and their plans to write a Broadway Musical.
***********************************************************************************
RESPECT: You’re in London — tell me what can you see around you right now?
London is a beautiful! Right now I’m walking in Hyde Park enjoying the sites.
Can you tell me something about your home state of New Jersey which doesn’t involve it having the most diners in the world?
Jersey is dope! We have the best roller coasters in the world, the rap scene is huge, the fashion there is really cool, and it’s home to the best house parties I’ve ever been to.
When did you know you were going to pursue music as a career?
I always liked rapping, but I never thought that I’d actually pursue a career in it. The opportunity then came for me to share it with the world about a year and a half ago, and I’ve been running with it ever since.
When you first came together, did you do so thinking, “Till death do us apart?”
Yea definitely! We planned from the beginning to stay a group until the end – no matter how hard it gets.
How does being together as opposed to being solo artists on your own manifest itself in the making of the music? Do you go about writing differently?
I like being in a group because it’s nice to have someone to depend on, it’s a lot less awkward performing with someone than hopping on stage by myself. We write our music separately and bring it together after just so we stay very authentic.
Do the two of you have a song that would best sum up your bond?
Not really, all of our songs show different sides to who we are as artists.
What would you say is your favorite thing about Tyler?
We both share a lot of the same interests as far as musical artists, TV shows, and video games.
Most rappers appear really serious and thoughtful, but you seem to enjoy the fun side of it?
Yeah, I feel as if rap doesn’t always have to be angry and hard. I like to just spit my bars, and have fun while doing it
You tread the line between pop, rock, and hip hop. How would you describe your sound?
It’s really just a fusion of all of those! It’s hard to pinpoint a sound.
When you’re actually writing, do you have any kind of regimen?
I would sit down and listen to Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper to get in the zone, and then I’d begin to write.
So what can you tell me about your new EP, Ghost?
It’s a collection of four old songs that we figured we wanted to give to our amazing fans.
How are your families responding to your success?
They love it, and they’re very supportive. They come to everything we do, and are our biggest promoters.
What’s your favorite line you’ve ever written?
My favorite line is “I’m an All-Star, and you can’t have no Converse-ation”.
Are you bothered that when your name is searched in Google “Steven Tyler” is the first suggestion?
Not really, Steven Tyler is a rock god. It would actually be weird if he was under us.
Now, if you become huge stars in your own right, can we expect to see an empire? Would you have your own snapbacks?
We’d love to start an empire as soon as we can. I’d love to start a clothing line, and I know Tyler wants to write a Broadway Musical.
You’ve released several YouTube covers—do you have a favorite?
“Probably Suit and Tie” — I loved my verses on them, and the video was fun to make.
What can you tell me about “You Had Me At Hello”?
“You Had Me At Hello” is my favourite song of the EP. The funniest part is that we wrote that song in just ten minutes.
For more on Tyler N Stevie, visit www.tylernstevie.com .
You might also like
More from Features
As DOJA CAT Breaks the Charts with Elvis, RESPECT. Rereleases Exclusive Interview!
As our Hip-Hop diva cover girl, Doja Cat, solidifies herself with the most #1 slots for any female at pop …
CASH MONEY Lens Man DERICK G is Photo Rich and Doesn’t Die Tryin’
IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. Whether he's directing a photo shoot or racing though the streets in his whip, Derick G always …
The Photo Click: BEN WATTS Snaps Hip-Hop Royalty Mary J, Andre 3000 & TI
THIS ENGLISHMAN DOESN’T TAKE PICTURES. He tries to catch lightning in a bottle and then take a flick of that.
