Interview: Ty 615 on Nashville Rap, Scar-Tissue Faith and the Fire That Refuses to Go Out –

Ty 615 speaks with the kind of open-hearted realism that makes his music hit harder than surface-level motivation ever could. In this A&R Factory interview, the Nashville artist reflects on carrying his city in his name, writing from pain without overthinking the production, and using personal scars as proof that shame can be survived. Across the conversation, he touches on failed businesses, his GED, the loss of his brother, the power of flawed people seeing themselves in music, and why his seminal release, 1 of 1, became a statement about turning light and darkness into self-acceptance. Rooted in introspective hip-hop, melodic rap and soulful storytelling, Ty 615’s perspective is refreshingly generously grounded.

Welcome to A&R Factory, Ty 615. Thanks for taking the time to talk about your new music, Nashville, self-reflection and how you’re turning pain into catharsis to help others 

Your music feels rooted in real conversations with yourself, especially around pain, faith, resilience and learning to love who you are. When you are writing new material, is it hard to balance honesty, privacy and relatability?

Nah, I have always been pretty open in music. Most of my songs are based on my life so it comes with the territory. People have a lot in common, so I would say most stories are relatable. I try to not think about it too much and just let it flow how it comes.

You have said your purpose is to shed light on your pain so other people can love themselves despite their flaws and mistakes. Was there a particular moment when music stopped being only self-expression and started feeling like something that could guide people through their own battles?

For me the first time I heard it touched someone’s heart. I had a friend send me a video of this girl she met about how her mom went through some of the same struggles as mine. Whenever I question myself that is one of the stories I go back to that keeps me going.

Your newer music carries a strong message of forward motion without pretending life suddenly becomes easy the minute you decide it should. Would you say there’s a lack of emotional realism in motivational hip-hop as a whole? 

I wouldn’t say there is a lack at all. With all the different people putting music out I feel like you can find anything you’re looking for really.

Nashville is so strongly associated with country, but your sound brings introspective hip-hop, melodic rap and soulful storytelling into the city’s wider musical identity. What does representing Nashville mean to you as an independent hip-hop artist?

I love my city and it has been a big influence in my music. When I was younger I could recognize how big music was to the city. I just always had a love for it. The city comes with great energy and most anyone you meet here is involved with music in some sort of fashion.One thing with Nashville though you got the labels here and all that for country. In the city we had two pretty big artists in Buck and Lito. Jellyroll was an underground artist from here until he blew up big as well. Its rich with talent for real so it mean a lot to me to represent the city especially with me like carrying that in my name fr.

You have been open about failed businesses, looking for love in the wrong places, dropping out, getting your GED and being humbled over and over again. How have those experiences shaped the kind of artist you are becoming now?

“You don’t fail til you quit and I ain’t giving up just cuz I’m 36.” Is a line from my new album. Its just adds to my testament. Like no matter happens in life I can say I went for it. I didn’t play scared. Even though Ive been vulnerable in my music in the past, I realize how much sharing your story can help others who may have similar struggles. Whether it is the music or like me just showing other things I do in life I realize the impact it has on people. My brother passed away and one thing a lot of people said was how he was my biggest fan and to me like I have to keep pushing I remember how he looked up to me. So it s a different kind of fire now.

Projects like 1 of 1 speak to the idea that what makes us different can become our greatest strength. What did making that project teach you about your own light and darkness?

It’s like they say opposites attract and compliment each other. In the sense of light and dark. You can’t appreciate the light without the dark and vice versa. Your story Is what built you into who you are today. Maybe someone seeing your failures will help them to not do it or like knowing other people go through similar things you know you are not alone. Everybody look a way on social media and in front of everybody but in real life we are all flawed and do stupid things. Make mistakes etc. That’s what brings people closer.

You clearly value learning, open-minded conversation and being comfortable enough to say what you do not know. How does that mindset feed into the way you collaborate, write and move through the music industry?

It gives me more to talk about and in a meaningful way. I have been in a lot of different spaces so being around different kinds of people or having music with different subject matter I feel comfortable just about anywhere. Im grateful for that.

When people hear your new music, what part of themselves do you hope they feel brave enough to face, forgive or rebuild?

The parts you feel are unforgivable, the parts you hate yourself the most for. We all do things and make mistakes. The past is over and while you may not be able to change what’s happened you can change how it impacts the rest of your life. Always strive to enjoy life.

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Find Ty 615 on all major streaming platforms and social media sites via this link.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast