The UB Interview: Tiyon ‘TC’ Christian Talks New EP, Lashawn Daniels, Mental Health + More
Tiyon ‘TC’ Christian is a 4X GRAMMY Nominated Singer and Songwriter.
Born in Kentucky on June 16th, Tiyon instantly became interested in stardom while singing in church every Sunday since the tender age of 2.
TC has a very powerful voice. Growing up he listened to Whitney Houston, and was almost able to completely mimic her sound. As he got older he added Brandy to his roster of inspirations, they both helped develop his ear for creating a well written song, first by learning to enhance his voice into different variations of tones and vibratos.
TC had some industry exposure, but it wasn’t quite his time. He was a top ten finalist on BET‘s Mariah Carey contest for upcoming singers. He has also auditioned for American Idol and Showtime at the Apollo, but has yet to grace their stages.
In 2008, he got the call he had been wishing for, the opportunity to work with Brandy for her “Human” release. That would be his first placement as a songwriter, “A Capella (Something’s Missing).”
TC’s imprint Make Ah Sound was born and since then he’s recorded music with Justin Bieber, Enrique Iglesias, JLo, Tamar Braxton, Backstreet Boys, Demi Lovato and recently with K-Pop sensation SF9.
TC has also been featured on WE Tv‘s hit shows “Braxton Family Values” and “Tamar & Vince.”
Recently Aries from UB, spoke to TC about his upcoming EP release, life in Asia, how he discovered his gift for songwriting, advice from the late great Lashawn Daniels. Plus TC gets candid on mental health and how good business relationships, can turn sour.
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UrbanBridgez.com: When did you first discover your gift of songwriting?
Tiyon Christian: Honestly I don’t think it was I who discovered it. I was doing a lot of covers. That I was known for putting on YouTube and SoundClick and MySpace. The guy who I was working with at the time Nas550, he was reproducing all of my covers. So he was like you can sing your butt off, but you need to stop doing all of these covers. You need to start writing your own stuff. I was like, I don’t know how to write songs. That wasn’t my thing, I knew how to sing, I knew how to arrange, that was my thing. So he was like I’m going to stop making covers and if you write a song, I’ll make you whatever cover that you want. So it was like a trade off type of thing. So I would write and then he would read some and be like, yo this is crazy son, this is crazy! He’s from Jersey (both laugh). I thought it was the wackest things ever. Except a few like I Fall Back N Love, which is online. I saw the response from people that would ask what cover is this. I would respond and tell them that it was actually my song, I wrote. They were usually surprised, like you wrote this? That’s what made me be like, well maybe I can write.
UrbanBridgez.com: Your first record as a songwriter and producer was released 12 years ago with Brandy’s “A Capella (Something’s Missing).” Take us back to when you recorded that record, what was your goal when you hit the lab with Brandy?
Tiyon Christian: I had just moved to Atlanta that year. I was fresh, young, I had just gotten out of high school. Everybody was like Brandy is working on an album and that was my ultimate goal, to try to get on the album. It just so happened that actually MTV’s Making The Band was creating a Latin group. So they were doing a new Menudo and to those not aware. That was a group in the 80s that Ricky Martin was in. They heard a record I had did and flew me to Orlando to work with the group. That was the first time I had ever did reality TV. The guy that signed them, Brandon Creed was like you’re going to Atlanta now? I told him yeah, I was trying to get on the new Brandy album. He was like Brandy? I said yeah and he asked if I liked Brandy. I said yeah, I love Brandy, I think she is amazing. He then told me he had just signed Brandy to Epic. So that’s how that relationship started. It was like it was destined to happen. But I really worked so hard to get on that album and kind of felt like I wasn’t going to get on it. She was traveling finishing the album, it would literally be situations where I would hit a studio and they would be like, your girl Brandy just left. At that time I had never met her, so it would of been huge for me to even meet her then regardless if I got on the album.
UrbanBridgez.com: Right, of course to just be in the presence.
Tiyon Christian: Exactly and I kid you not the weekend of my birthday, I literally prayed about it. Like God this is what I want, please send me a sign. That night and I am really not making this up. It was like I woke up and God sent me the idea of doing the whole A Capella record. I remember calling Sound, because I was working a lot with Sound at the time. I was like, I know how I’m going to get on the Brandy album. That’s how I got on the album.
UrbanBridgez.com: I believe it, because it was such a different and dope concept. Specially for someone with her voice and gift for arrangements. It’s such a great song.
Tiyon Christian: Thank you! I really feel that song came from God. I literally prayed on it. Because I was at the verge, where I felt like I had been in Atlanta for like a year and hadn’t gotten any placements. I left home and really didn’t have a support system there. I was kind of feeling discouraged and was in a really low place. So me waking up out of that dream, it felt like it was happening in my dream. Truly a song from God.
UrbanBridgez.com: You’re currently in Korea right now and earlier this year released your first record in China with the Unine record. Can you tell us what you’re over there working on now?
Tiyon Christian: I’m kind of new to the whole K-Pop thing. But I’m in a crazy situation, because now I’m starting to create a name in such a short time. I was just coming over originally, to write and do a couple of demos. They heard a record I did called Scared. They were asking who was singing on it. The producer was like we think you should come to Asia. If we go, you should go. Then the guy who bought the record, he bought it for one of his artist. He extended an offer for me to come as well. So I said sure. I was only suppose to come for February and stay for about a month. When I tell you that I was on just a whole different wave link. At that time, I actually wanted to stop doing music.
UrbanBridgez.com: Oh wow!
Tiyon Christian: Yeah, I was in my little depression stage. Sometimes I go through these stages where if something happens in music, I’ll just shut off. I stay to myself and back away from music. Like this is something that I want. It took me about a year and a half to get back into it. I wasn’t writing for anybody. I was at home, stayed with family and was to myself mostly. Went to church and kind of got my soul back together. I was over it and didn’t want to do music. So that call for Asia was like a light bulb. I just remember being on the plane. Saying if this is something that I’m suppose to do. Just give me a sign and show me, I’ll do the work. When I got there I ended up doing over 40 songs, in just those couple of weeks. More than half of them got confirmed and placed or bought. Like 28-30 songs placed on different artists, that doesn’t really happen. That whole trip turned into a whole quarterly situation, where I have a whole team out here now that facilitates my stuff here. I’ve been here for like three months now, never expected it but a lot of good stuff has been going on. I’ve met a lot of artist, I guess the most humbling thing is some of the artists here know who I am. They’re different from the US, they’re more nice and humbling. They’ll come up and say they saw one of my viral videos or they heard this or that song. Like the video of me at the counter singing, they seen it. I never imagined that it traveled all the way over here (laughs). That has just been reaffirming my faith, that I’m doing what I’m suppose to do.
UrbanBridgez.com: Which leads me to you working with SF9 and from judging from social media, their fan-base loved the singles. Tell us about working with them and that experience?
Tiyon Christian: I literally did like a camp with them for like two weeks. It’s been an amazing experience. They really trust me, the head of the company has been really taken and drawn to me. He’s not drawn to just anybody, so I feel like I’m doing something right. Now when he comes into the room, he comes straight to me and shakes my hand and says TC (laughs). He just doesn’t do that. He would use to come in and sit down and get straight to business. He told me he loves what I do and wants me to work on all of his artists. That’s big coming from the head of the entire company. God is good!
UrbanBridgez.com: All the time! You’ve been promising new music from yourself for awhile. When can we expect it?
Tiyon Christian: I know, I know (laughs). I actually have my EP done, so right now I’ve just been really going over the roll-out plan. Also getting minor edits finished with the songs and things like that. I’m thinking more so of a June release, around my birthday. I really came to the conclusion, of just doing it. I’m such a perfectionist, I always doubt what I put out. And think well maybe I can get it better. Then as times rolls by, I don’t even like the song anymore. That’s my battle with releasing music, but it’s about time that I put out an actual release. With songs that really represent who I am and just my sound. Who I’ve revolved as, as an artist and singer. I’m excited to share it, because it’s so different from my previous releases. This is the best stuff I’ve done.
UrbanBridgez.com: You worked on music with the late great Lashawn Daniels often, even reality TV. Tell us who didn’t have the chance to know him, what it was about him that made him so special?
Tiyon Christian: I think what made him so special to me, is he believed in me before I even started doing it professionally. I was a new songwriter in the beginning and some might remember when I did my first mixtape. Lashawn actually did a video, saying things like I was amazing and he believed in my talent. He was like T-Sizzle just keep doing your thing, that’s what he use to call me. Saying people will know about me and I was a great singer, just showing love. For me, I grew up listening to Lashawn and listening to his arrangements. Watching him on TV, vocal directing Dainty Kane and all of these other people. He’s just always been humble. And that’s what separates him from a lot of people. His heart was just so pure, he loved people. To my peers and the generation that came after him, he’s been nothing but supportive, to every single person that he came into contact with. I remember times I would text him and say I needed his advice about something. He would be like, yo I’m doing this American Idol stuff and I will call you on my break. Then he would literally call me and make sure that I was okay. So that’s what I think I admired most, is not just his talent but the person that he was. He was a really nice guy.
UrbanBridgez.com: Yeah he came off as that. What is something he taught you about the music business?
Tiyon Christian: Don’t let your feelings get too involved.
UrbanBridgez.com: Wow, same words from my business partner many years ago.
Tiyon Christian: I think that’s been a lot of our conversions. With Lashawn I could never understand how people could do him wrong in certain situations. And he would just rebuild the relationship like nothing ever happened. I knew at times it hurt him, but he never let it cloud his judgement of them. He would still let them come around. I would say I have to learn to be like that. I’m more sensitive. When I’m hurt, I can’t be around you like that. If we work together and you do something crazy to me, I feel like every time I’m around you, you’re going to keep doing that. So I have to protect myself. My feelings do get involved with music and business, because I care. But the difference is some look at it as just business and not a relationship. That’s when lines can get tricky, because a lot of people don’t have a moral compass when it comes down to the business. So it can hurt, like why did they do this to me or why did this happen? But you have to start thinking with your head and not your heart. That’s the biggest lesson he’s taught me and had gotten on me about that many times. I’m a cry baby, I’ll cry. I’m not ashamed (laughs).
UrbanBridgez.com: Nothing wrong with that. But yeah it’s hard to keep the emotions out, but it’s great advice.
Tiyon Christian: One thing I can say, after dealing with depression and being in that whole cloud for over a year. It changed me to be more confident in who I am. Not to be so sensitive and effected emotionally, by people actions towards me. But now being more up front and solid about where I stand. I’m not taking anything, from anybody. This is what it is. You don’t wanna pay? Nah, I’m not doing it. You know about this, because we say I can do it because of the relationship. But now, it’s like no I’m too busy for that.
UrbanBridgez.com: Preach! You’ve had some public beefs over the years, without touching on those situations. Tell us why you feel sometimes things go sour with talent in this industry in general..when there was such a great working relationship in the beginning?
Tiyon Christian: Just being honest, I kind of feel like a lot of times having a friendship or relationship with artists or the label or whoever. It can cloud the business aspect of it. It’s kind of like instead of them, appreciating your gift and realizing it’s not their gift. It starts to become more like it’s an obligation for you instead of business. Then you start doing things, thinking like this isn’t even in my contract/agreement. Typing out lyrics for album covers, I’m not suppose to be doing that. I’m not suppose to get all of the producers together, and make sure they all sign the deck. Or negotiate their deals, I’m not suppose to be doing all of that. I’m suppose to write the songs and get paid for it. Then it becomes like a chore, then it’s a problem because you’re not getting credited properly. Then at times, you’re not getting paid on time or when you do, it’s not anywhere near on what you agreed to. They’re just giving it to you, because they think you’ll be fine with it. It becomes a messy situation. I try to stay clear of that now, by being more upfront in the beginning of what I want. I’m kind of in a space now, where I don’t trust anybody. So anything I do now as far as business, has to be in a contract. I’m not taking anybody’s word for anything anymore. I’ve noticed that every time that I’ve been in that situation, when they get the songs or put the album out. It’s always on their terms, because now they have everything that they need. It’s never really in your favor, when people deal in he said, she said. Or when they promise you something, because they will later say they don’t remember saying it. So having documented proof of your agreements and what you’re suppose to get paid. I feel like that’s what is necessary for any creative person in my shoes. Then the relationships won’t go sour.
UrbanBridgez.com: No doubt and great advice. I had to learn that the hard way as well.
Tiyon Christian: Speaking in general, I feel like a lot of artists want to feel like they are the creative person behind everything. It’s kind of hard to say, he I wrote this or I did this. Because then they feel a way, because you said you wrote something or saying what you did period. They feel it takes the creativity from them. I’m thinking that’s how they feel, even though I can’t understand it. I feel like if you don’t give me credit, then I should be able to post whatever I did do. And then going through the booklet and can’t read my name under songwriter, engineered by, background vocals, producer or whatever it may have been. If my name isn’t under all them titles under a song I did, then I should be able to say what I’ve done for that song. So that has been an issue. Then you just have people who are insecure!
UrbanBridgez.com: Oh yeah, no doubt!
Tiyon Christian: They don’t want to see you do well or feel like you’re branching out on your own so to speak. It’s like a claim on you, like you’re mine. They don’t want you to work anybody else, but they won’t treat you right. But it’s like they don’t want you to go anywhere else either. It’s just crazy to me, I’ll never understand the artists aspect. You could be friends with one person and an artist may not like that, because that person is an artist and they feel they’re the only artist you should like (laughs). I don’t want to be apart of none of it. I’m just happy in Asia right now (both laugh). And they sell actual physical copies. So I’m happy about that.
UrbanBridgez.com: Again, things we have in common. A lot of these artists need yes-men on their team & I could never be that. And on the other token I had to start doing everything by contract/agreement, regardless of how small.
Tiyon Christian: I don’t think people realize how good contracts are. Until you’re deep in it and have worked a whole year on an album. Then the album is out and you’re still waiting to get paid. A month goes by and then a whole year, you’ve been depleting funds out of your account, to pay bills. You’ve been waiting for three months, like hey there is no income coming in from projects I’ve completed. Then if you’re focused on one situation and they’re not paying you. It’s like hey, I’m about to get evicted and people won’t even answer your calls. Then it turns into six months since the album came out, still not paid and about to be homeless. So you’re like what’s going on? Then it becomes an issue of are we really as close as we say we are, because now you’re messing with my money.
UrbanBridgez.com: All I can say is, my life, my life, my life! Thank you for sharing and being so candid.
Tiyon Christian: Man I’m just not scared to talk about things I’ve been though. I don’t care who it hurts. I can only be honest about what I’ve been through. I’m not sugar coating anything, for nobody’s feelings. I was depressed as hell and I wanted to just give up. I’m not going back to that place for anybody! It’s still business at the end of the day and nobody has your back like yourself!
UrbanBridgez.com: Sounds like our upcoming Podcast and Documentary (laughs). You gotta tell us about the viral clip of you. You sanging yo ass off, tell us the back story, who’s kitchen and why you kill us with those vocals like that?
Tiyon Christian: Listen, I didn’t expect it to blow up the way that it did. I was at one of my friends house and you know, I have a lot of sanging ass friends. They was all there and it was one of those moments where we were all harmonizing at once and singing with each other. About 4 or 5 dope singers. I’m the one that just wants to listen to the singing. Then everybody sung and they was like TC, you gotta sing. So some of them started it off. My friend captured it and put it on Vine. It went viral with over a million re-vines. I posted it on IG and it blew up. Every year it resurfaces, it’s been 5 years since I did that video.
UrbanBridgez.com: Your top 5 essential R&B albums?
Tiyon Christian: That’s kind of hard! Okay, the 90s is where I grew up. Everybody that I love, came from the 90s. So The Writings on The Wall (Destiny’s Child), Never-Say-Never (Brandy), 702 (702), Toni Braxton’s Secrets and I wanna say JOE’s My Name Is Joe. He is hands down my favorite male singer and I don’t listen to a lot of male singers.
UrbanBridgez.com: Anything else you want to share with your fans before we wrap?
Tiyon Christian: When I go live, I always tell people that whatever you want to do you just have to do it. A lot of times we procrastinate and become self consequence about the things God has blessed us with. I think sometimes we have a fear of life. I know for me, if I didn’t just take the leap and move to Atlanta. And work with these people, a lot of people don’t know. I didn’t have a place to stay, I was sleeping on peoples floors. Going to the studio everything, I had only came with one bag of clothes. The facade online is I’m all smiles and I’m working and I’m doing this. But people don’t know some days I wasn’t able to eat because I didn’t have enough to buy a burrito at the gas station. So my main goal as a creative is to inspire people to leap out on faith. Believe in yourself and don’t let anybody discourage you or make you feel less than who you are. Once you make that transition of actually doing it, is when you’ll start reaping the benefits of your progress.
