The premier artist known as Bryson Tiller, or Pen Griffy, offered a comprehensive look into his decade-long career, detailing his creative process, personal struggles, and shifting definition of success during an appearance on the Rotation Direct podcast powered by Amazon Music. Speaking live from the studio with hosts Nyla Simone and Mouse Jones, Tiller discussed the evolution of his sound and his current dual-release project, Solace & The Vices.
Tiller revealed that the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking album, Trap Soul, brings feelings of gratitude that he can still tour and feed his family with music. However, he admitted that the album’s initial release a decade ago was fraught with tension and nervousness. Tiller candidly confessed that the reception was initially negative, leading him to believe he had "failed when I released that project". This disappointment, combined with other personal struggles, triggered a depression that directly impacted his follow-up, True to Self.
The crucial advice Tiller would give his 2015 self would be to "protect my confidence". He explained that he used to take every piece of criticism seriously, internalizing negative comments and allowing them to affect his trajectory. He believes that ignoring the negativity would have "changed my trajectory" and resulted in a different second album. He refreshingly embraced the term "sophomore slump" for True to Self, acknowledging the album was created during a time when he was mentally struggling and constantly fearing the "worst that could happen".
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Tiller provided unique insights into his creative choices, including the famous, dramatic pause in his hit single, "Don't." Tiller confirmed that the pause is "offbeat". He kept the awkward timing because, while unintentional initially, it became a rushed, intentional choice, and is now constantly talked about. He also revealed that he mixed the song himself straight out of FL Studio, suggesting that an engineer might have stripped it of its essential "rawness and the real feeling". Tiller stopped mixing and mastering his own tracks after Trap Soul, stating he only worked on "Sorry not Sorry" and "Don't" on that project.
The discussion turned to his current double album, Solace & The Vices. He released Vices (Part Two) first because it felt like a "summer" project, while Solace was intended for the "fall" Tiller explained that he was completely sober while making Vices, finishing the project in about two weeks. This creative clarity followed a period where he dreaded going to the studio while working on Solace due to his use of "all the vices," including weed, which he now states he is "completely done with". He used the vulnerable Solace album as a "therapy session," discussing embarrassing behaviors and feelings he wouldn't normally air out.
Tiller stated he has shifted his focus from chasing accolades and numbers to the ability to "give people some kind of moment on each album" and to maintain the ability to tour. Now on the Breezy Bowl tour with Chris Brown, Tiller praised Brown’s work ethic, noting that he always gives 120% to 200% on stage. The newfound success of their collaboration, "Open," which was recorded eight cities into the tour after Brown repeatedly played the open track backstage, further illustrates Tiller’s current momentum.
Tiller also addressed fan concerns that he was stepping away from music to focus on his new video game, "Brutal Industry" (a satirical take on the music business). He adamantly confirmed that he is not walking away from music because it is a gift he has worked hard on. Tiller confirmed his creative headspace today can be summarized as free, confident, and grateful. He also pledged to "absolutely" make it easier for people to sample his music in the future, never wanting to block another artist’s creativity.
