Artist of The Month: Tay Jireh

NAME:

Tay Jireh

ORIGIN:

SCARBOROUGH

BACKGROUND:

“I started making beats and writing raps at 13. Kept going with the production until I got good at it and eventually started releasing music under the name Tay Jireh. Tay is part of my first name and ‘Jireh’ comes from the name Jehovah-Jireh meaning “The Lord Will Provide”. So my name means ‘Tay Will Provide’.

INFLUENCES:

Nas, Outkast, Dr. Dre, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, J Dilla, Madlib, MF Doom, Erykah Badu, Sade, Amy Winehouse

FUTURE:

“In the future I want to prove I’m the best lyricist to come out of Toronto. I want to be known for my talents as both a rapper and producer and become one of the best to do so.”

SOUNDCLOUD:

https://soundcloud.com/tay-jireh

Kim's Responses= BLUE

Racquel's Responses = RED

I met Tay Jireh in my first year of University, and right away he became a homie. Always been a dope dude and a real ass nigga. I remember when he first started releasing his stuff and how passionate he was about it. I even had the privilege to see him perform some tracks live at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)! Such a surreal moment. When me and Racquel came up with the idea of showcasing a monthly artist the first man that came to mind was my dude Tay Jireh. Take a listen and you’ll see exactly why he had to be the first.

"Too Often"

Right away Tay Jireh brings us to a whole different dimension with this latest track. The vibes in this song are super smooth that you can’t help but get into a serious head bob...and not just any head bob..the type of head bob where your face is all screwed up and you may suffer from whiplash because this shit goes HARRD! Tay finds a way to deliver some hard truths but at the same time be so relatable that it literally feels as if you and him are sitting in a room conversing. A notable line for me in this track begins at 0:42 where Jireh says “women ask for the truth, then get mad when they hear it, but I won’t let your bullshit fuck with my spirit..”. Literally brought me to church and back because this nigga is preachinnn. Nothing but facts in this track, but what did I tell you. It’s fucking Tay Jireh. Duh.

This most recent track from Tay Jireh is fire. If you haven't been listening to his earlier tracks he’s put out, in short, he’s been bringing old school soul vibes while still staying relevant. The first time listening to his tracks I said that this guy is the Bruno Mars of rap in the way that Bruno infuses that old school vibe with pop music. Genius. My favorite point in this song starts at 2:24, “sometimes I feel pressured, sometimes I feel pain, sometimes I don’t ever want to wake up again…” etc. Listen and take in the lyrics of this song, it’s real and relatable. How is this guy not huge yet? I couldn’t stop bobbing my head to this, and all of his tracks.

"Key of Life"

This is a BANGERRRR. From the beat to the lyrics once again, you can really tell he put his heart into this (and all his other tracks too). What enhances this track even more (if that’s even possible) is the vocals of Leila Dey. Her voice really compliments the vibe of this song and it’s a change from most of his other tracks where he is solo. This is a song you can never get tired of, there’s real lyrics and beat switch-ups, how can you get bored of that? Personally, I love when a beat switches up, it keeps me invested. But that’s the thing too...you can never get tired of listening to this guy whether the beat switches or not. Tay Jireh just keeps impressing.

Tay Jireh shows us why he is one of the top lyricist of our times in this timeless banger. He did not come to play with you heuxs. This track is literally so bone chillin I can’t believe I actually know this dude. From the adlibs, to the fire ass bars, to the beautiful collab with artist Leila Dey, and that production! Key of life is the most fitting title as Tay Jireh brings us down this magical trip of life, dropping nothing but gems along the way. You can really hear the vulnerability in his rhymes and just know that he is the real deal. No bullshit. Don’t get me started on that beat switch up at 2:11...like what the actual fuck...how you gon do em like that? I can’t even choose a notable lyric from this track because it’s all HEAT. Truly hard to pick just one notable bar, but 3:41 “These days I walk around with a Bible, strategizing how to give hell to my rivals” just lets you know that Tay Jireh is here and here to stay.

"Earthstrong (Interlude)"

I just want to start with the fact that this song is one of Tay Jireh’s older tracks...yea I know...he’s been lit. Like what the actual fuck. The hunger and passion in this track is undeniable and is a great indicator of what’s in store. Tay Jireh shows us that he’s not only easy on the eyes, smooth with the flow, but is in tune with the real of this world. It’s crazy because you can actually hear the burden in his rhymes that he is carrying for our people as he rhymes about some of the issues the black community faces. In particular, our lack of independence and our greed over vanity and material things 0:42 “when they get so obsessed with Versace and True Religion. Modern day slavery, feel like they cotton picking”. Nuff said. This track definitely showcases that Tay Jireh has stayed true to him and is not only making music for the thrills of it, but isn’t afraid to be in the trenches and motivate his people.

This song is woke asf. If you ain’t woke, you might not connect with this song in the same way. This guy doesn’t give you a chance, he comes in with the fire bars from the beginning of his tracks. Again, this song comes with a lit ass beat switch up...like what? He really preaches the truth in this song. We as black people have become lost and obsessed with material wealth. This is the modern day slavery...obsessing over reaching where the white man is and buying into their brands but not supporting our own. Just when I thought Tay Jireh couldn’t get any better, he hits you with this track. Not only does he make you think about the truth in this world, he is revealing a part of his views and values. You get a delve into the mind that is Tay Jireh and I want more.