Our Artist of the Month for January: TYM
Something of a cross between German rap and hyperpop
Is he a rapper, or singer? It is not easy to classify TYM (pronounced ‘time’), our ARTIST OF THE MONTH. TYM also wanders around between genres like someone restlessly searching for, and ultimately finding, something. Because according to TYM, everything he sets to music, sounds good. Perhaps that is due to his roots?
Growing up in Stuttgart with his parents, with German and Belgian roots, it was perfectly normal for TYM to switch between German and English. He does so in everyday life and in his art. To this day, he combines not only two languages in his music, but also multiple genres. As the saying goes, ‘expect the unexpected’. A bit of indie here, and a bit of glitch, synth or hyperpop there. For TYM, it’s about what kind of feeling his music triggers and what it is supposed to say – the balance between the carefree and melancholic in life. This is decided for each song individually. This makes TYM so exciting and versatile as an artist. He surprises, continually re-invents himself, and yet is always true to himself.
Choir, drums and a lot of skating
TYM began to write his own songs in the 2010s after years of music training in drums, vocals and choir, preferring to organise his first performances in youth homes instead of sitting in school bored. In addition to music, he was also influenced by sport during this time: the Stuttgart skate scene became like a second home.
He published his first music projects from 2018, mostly on Soundcloud to start with. His EP LIGHTS was released in 2018. In the same year another EP was released called YOU. Several singles followed and in 2019 he released the album ME. In particular, the song LUST from the album made TYM famous in the scene. The album DEVIL NEVER EVEN LIVED followed in 2021. Finally, in June 2022, the single BISSCHEN HIGH was released. Produced together with T-Low and Luis, it reached 31 on the German singles charts.
Signature Look? He always wears a balaclava
TYM recorded, produced, mixed and mastered some of his songs by himself on the PC – keep it simple. But just like with language and genres, he mixes it up. As well as working alone, he also loves to write with a band or other producers. Alone. Together. He works with musicians from a wide range of genres, such as the indie band Zimmer 90 and the rapper Edo Saiya.
And if you’re wondering why he looks the way he does? Since 2021, TYM has only appeared wearing colourful balaclavas, which his girlfriend knits for him. This is perhaps the most consistent thing about a musician who wants to constantly evolve and go higher. In May 2022, the former Tokio Hotel ultra fan was support on the German leg of Denzel Curry’s “Melt My Eyez” tour. In December 2022 and September 2023 he had his first sold-out tours.
See more of TYM on Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
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Once a month, recordJet has an Artist of the Month. The recordJet crew chooses an artist that has especially impressed us. Apply here…