Southern Plug Magazine: Leaders of the New School 2017 Volume 2 Issue 1 A | Page 42

Early approval from Timbaland and Drake boosted the career of
Bryson Tiller, a contemporary R&B songwriter and singer -- a self-
termed "trap soul" artist who also raps -- from Louisville, Kentucky.
Tiller made waves with SoundCloud uploads like "Don't," "Break
Bread," "Let 'Em Know," and "Sorry Not Sorry." Around the same
time, Tiller was featured on Kam Wil's "I Want You" and Tyrant's
"Lime Light." While social media activities fueled speculation
regarding Tiller's affiliation with Drake's OVO Sound label, the artist
opted to sign with major-label RCA, home to Tinashe and Miguel.
"Don't," a sparse ballad, was given an official release in May 2015.
His breakthrough single, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard
Hot 100 (and eventually went multi-platinum). The full-length T R
A P S O U L followed a few months later, peaked at number eight
on the Billboard 200, and within six months was certified platinum,
supported by additional hits "Exchange" and "Sorry Not Sorry."
Featured appearances on tracks headlined by DJ Khaled and Travis
Scott, as well as some non-album singles of his own, led up to the
May 2017 release of True to Self, a second album dominated by
thumping slow jams. The set debuted at the top of the Billboard
200.