Ty Bru has steadily built his name as a force in entertainment, fashion, and film. He’s one of those people who actually went after his dreams and made them a reality. His journey really is a story of starting from the ground up. If you aren’t familiar with his work, you’re missing out on some serious inspiration. He’s a multi-talented rapper, a fashion designer, and the director of the Mightier Than The Swords Awards film festival.
The new single, “Self Employed,” features his longtime friend and label mate Ed E. Ruger, along with the Canadian rap giant Merkules. The collaboration makes perfect sense; Ruger recently opened for Merkules at a show in Greensboro at Hangar 1819. The track is a reflection on their shared path, looking back at where they started and celebrating how far they’ve come.
A line from the hook captures the whole mood: “Paying dues already at the 1st of the month…self employed with my boys so we work when we want.” That lyric represents twenty years of dedication and hard work. The song itself is pure art. It’s built around a haunting melody that feels essential to the track. The whole thing pays respect to classic hip-hop, giving it a nostalgic feel that will resonate with longtime fans.
The track opens with Ty setting the tone over a smooth, classic beat. He delivers some genuinely thoughtful bars, with lines like, “It’s amazing what a little bit of trying might get you, let me hit you with the science.” That lyric really gets to the heart of the song’s encouraging message.
Across its four-minute runtime, every artist on the track brings their A-game. I’m not exaggerating; it’s a perfect collaboration. This is their story, a testament to their climb from sleeping on floors to living their dreams. As Merkules puts it, you don’t need a bathroom stall to read the writing on the wall.
You can support Ty by purchasing the song on Bandcamp. It’s also streaming on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, where it’s already racking up thousands of listens. This is what real, authentic hip-hop feels like. And the best part? Ty and his team have promised to drop a new song like this every other Monday for the rest of the year. With 15 new tracks planned, it’s going to be an incredible run for their fans.
While you’re at it, check out “PUT IT ON THE SET.” It’s another recent release from this series, a track full of raw energy and hard-hitting bars that showcase what this music is all about.
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