Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson (born November 19, 1989) known famously as Tyga is a prodigious American rapper and songwriter.
Having cut his teeth with a series of independent releases, he signed a recording contract with the esteemed labels Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records in 2008.
Facts About Tyga
- Full Name: Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson
- Stage Name: Tyga, T-Raww
- Born: 19 November 1989
- Age: 33 years old
- Place of Birth: Compton, California, United States
- Nationality: American
- Parents: Pasionaye Nguyen
- Spouse: Jordan Craig (m. 2010-2011)
- Children: King Cairo Stevenson
- Occupation: Rapper • Songwriter
- Net Worth: N/A
Early Life & Education
Tyga was born on November 19, 1989, to parents of mixed Jamaican-Vietnamese heritage. His mother, Pasionaye Nguyen, is of Vietnamese origin, while his father is of Jamaican descent.
Growing up, he was heavily influenced by the likes of Fabolous, Lil Wayne, Cameron, and Eminem, and he has often spoken about his humble beginnings in a low-income family
He graduated from Gardena High School and has since gone on to become a successful rapper and songwriter, signing a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records in 2008.
Career
Early in his career, Tyga put out a handful of demo tapes and mixtapes. His 2007 debut mixtape, Young On Probation, caught the attention of Travie McCoy, the lead singer for the California rap group Gym Class Heroes. Travie McCoy, impressed by the young musician’s potential, offered him a recording contract with DCD2 Records, one of the many independent record companies (known then as Decaydence Records).
Around the same time, Tyga collaborated with fellow West Coast rapper Schoolboy Q and formed the record label G.E.D. Inc. (Grinding every day, Getting every dollar, or Getting educated every day). He also has a G.E.D. Inc tattoo above his right eyebrow.
On June 10, 2008, Tyga‘s first album as a solo artist, titled No Introduction, came out on Decaydance Records. The single Coconut Juice with Travie McCoy came out before the album. Diamond Life, one of the songs on this album, was used in the video games Need for Speed: Undercover and Madden N.F.L. 2009, as well as in the movie Fighting, which came out in 2009.
Late in 2008, Tyga inked a record deal with Lil Wayne‘s Young Money Entertainment, a branch of Cash Money Records. He and Lil Wayne first crossed paths at the 2008 Video Music Awards, where he performed a remix of This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race by Fall Out Boy.
After signing with the label, Tyga made an appearance on the Young Money track Bedrock and released the mixtape Fan of a Fan with Chris Brown, DJ Ill Will, and DJ Rockstar. The mixtape featured collaborations with other artists, including Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, and Kevin McCall. Music videos were released for four of the tracks: Holla at Me, G Shit, No Bullshit, and Deuces.
The single Deuces was the first release from the mixtape and reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart by August 26, 2010.
At the 53rd Grammy Awards, the song Deuces was a nominee for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Chris Brown‘s fourth studio album, F.A.M.E., featured the track, among others. In an interview with MTV, Tyga divulged that the mixtape was crafted in a mere seven days.
Discography
- Juicy
- Taste
- Loco Contigo
- Ayy Macarena
- Freaky Deaky
- Ayo
- Fantastic
- Too Many
- Ice Cream Man
- Bedrock
- Rack City
- Hookah
- So Pretty
- Bored In The House
- Touch It
- Ride out
- Lift Me Up
- VIDA LOCA
- Switch Lanes
- Krabby Step
- SWISH
- Dip