Tyrone William Griffin Jr. (born April 13, 1982), known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign (stylized as Ty Dolla $ign), is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Los Angeles, California.[1][2]
He first gained widespread recognition in 2010 for writing and producing the track "Toot It and Boot It" for fellow Los Angeles rapper YG, which helped establish his reputation in the hip-hop scene.[3][2]
Signing with Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Records in 2013, Ty Dolla Sign released influential mixtapes such as Beach House and his debut studio album Free TC in 2015, blending R&B melodies with trap production.[4]
His career is marked by prolific collaborations with major artists, including features on hits like "Paranoid" and "Or Nah," as well as co-creating the 2024 joint albums Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 with Kanye West, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.[5][6]
Ty Dolla Sign has earned six Grammy Award nominations across categories like Best Rap Song and Best R&B Album, reflecting his versatility in contemporary urban music.[7]
Early legal troubles, including a 2018 felony indictment for cocaine and marijuana possession following an arrest in Atlanta, briefly interrupted his momentum but were resolved without long-term conviction after program completion.[8][9]
Early life
Family and upbringing
Tyrone William Griffin Jr. was born on April 13, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, into a musical family; his father, Tyrone Griffin Sr., was a multi-instrumentalist who performed session work for artists including Rick James and Death Row Records affiliates, and later joined the funk band Lakeside.[10][11] His mother worked as a real estate agent.[10] Griffin's extended family included musical relatives, such as an uncle who played with the Isley Brothers.[11]His parents separated during his childhood, after which Griffin primarily resided with his mother in South Central Los Angeles, while his older brother lived with their father.[12][11] Exposed to his father's recording equipment from an early age, Griffin taught himself bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, and other instruments by sneaking into the home studio and experimenting independently.[11][13] This hands-on access fostered his early interest in music production amid the challenges of the neighborhood environment.[14]Griffin has multiple siblings, including brothers Noah and Jabreal Muhammad (known as Big TC), the latter convicted of murder in 2008 and sentenced to 67 years to life in California's Calipatria State Prison— a case Griffin has publicly contested, alleging his brother's innocence—and a sister named Angel.[15][16] During his youth in South Central, Griffin affiliated with the Bloods gang, in contrast to his brother Big TC's association with the rival Crips, reflecting the divided loyalties common in the area.[12]
Initial musical pursuits
Griffin initially pursued music through self-taught instrumental proficiency, beginning with the bass guitar under the influence of his father, a member of the funkband Lakeside.[2] He expanded his skills to include drums, guitar, keyboards, and the Akai MPC workstation, which facilitated early production experiments in South Los Angeles.[4]As a child around age eight, Griffin performed as a keyboardist for the nascent R&B boy band Immature, discovered by manager Chris Stokes alongside early associates like Brandy and Ray J; band member Marques Houston later recounted Griffin's involvement in their formative live setups before the group's 1992 debut.[17][18]In his late teens and early twenties, he co-founded the production team D.R.U.G.S. (Dirty Rotten Underground Sound) with friends Chordz 3D and G Casso, producing beats for local West Coast artists and honing a sound rooted in hip-hop and R&B instrumentation.[14]Griffin's songwriting pursuits advanced in 2004 upon meeting Kory in New York City, leading to the duo Ty & Kory; they released the mixtape Raw & Bangin' Vol. 1 in 2006, featuring tracks like "Hey Ty" and "Hustlas Theme" that showcased harmonized vocals over trap-influenced production.[19] A follow-up, Raw & Bangin' Vol. 2 in 2007, included guest appearances from Snoop Dogg and Ashlee Simpson on "Irresistable," marking early industry connections.[20] The pair also provided background vocals for albums such as Sa-Ra's The Hollywood Recordings (2007) and Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008).[21]
Career
Formative years and group work (2004–2011)
In 2004, Tyrone Griffin Jr., performing as Ty Dolla Sign, formed the R&B duo Ty & Kory with his writing partner Kory after meeting in New York City.[10] The pair signed a recording contract with Venus Brown's Buddah Brown Entertainment and released tracks such as "Lights Go Out," establishing an early foundation in melodic R&B and hip-hop-infused sounds. They followed with mixtapes including Raw & Bangin' Vol. 1 in 2006 and Raw & Bangin' Vol. 2 in 2008, while preparing a debut album titled Junior Radio slated for early 2008 release, though the duo eventually disbanded amid managerial issues and financial setbacks.[22]Griffin co-founded the production collective D.R.U.G.S. (Dirty Rotten Underground Sound), a seven-member team based in Los Angeles that included producers Chordz 3D, G Casso (also known as GC), Buddah Shampoo, Nate 3D, James Koo, and Fuego.[14] Through D.R.U.G.S., he honed his skills as a multi-instrumentalist and producer, contributing bass lines, hooks, and beats to various projects while guesting on albums by artists like Sa-Ra and Erykah Badu.[21] This period emphasized underground collaboration, with Griffin focusing on songwriting and production rather than lead vocals.By the late 2000s, Griffin affiliated with the Los Angeles-based collective Pu$haz Ink, founded by rapper YG, which fostered a network of producers, rappers, and songwriters emphasizing West Coast street-oriented R&B and hip-hop.[4] His breakthrough within this circle came in 2010, when he co-wrote and produced YG's single "Toot It and Boot It" for Def Jam Recordings, which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked his initial mainstream exposure through hook vocals and production.[14] In 2011, Griffin transitioned toward solo efforts with his debut single "All Star" featuring Joe Moses, produced under his own direction, signaling the end of his primary group-oriented phase.[4]
Mixtape breakthrough (2012–2014)
Ty Dolla Sign achieved his mixtape breakthrough with the release of Beach House on October 1, 2012, a project that introduced his signature melodic R&B-infused hip-hop style centered on themes of hedonism, relationships, and West Coast party culture.[2] The mixtape featured production from frequent collaborators like D.R.U.G.S. and included tracks such as "My Cabana" with Young Jeezy, helping to build underground buzz through streaming platforms and social media shares.[23]Building on this momentum, he followed with Beach House 2 on July 1, 2013, hosted by DJ Drama and featuring guests like YG and Too $hort, which expanded his audience via appearances on hip-hop blogs and mixtape circuits.[24] The sequel refined his formula of catchy hooks over trap-influenced beats, solidifying his reputation as a hook specialist in Los Angeles' rap scene.[25]In early 2014, after affiliating with Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment, Ty Dolla Sign released the Beach House EP on January 21 through Taylor Gang and Atlantic Records, marking his major-label entry.[26] The EP included high-profile collaborations with artists like Travis Scott, Wiz Khalifa, and French Montana, and its lead single "Paranoid" featuring B.o.B—produced by DJ Mustard—debuted at number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 before peaking at number 29, while reaching number 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in its 13th week.[27] This track's success, driven by radio airplay and music video rotation, represented his first significant mainstream crossover.[28]Critics noted the EP's polish, with Pitchfork commending its balance of commercial appeal and core elements like layered synths and bass-heavy production, distinguishing it from the prior full-length mixtapeBeach House 2.[28] Later that year, on August 27, 2014, he dropped the free mixtapeSign Language, boasting features from Big Sean, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Juicy J, which maintained his prolific output and reinforced his feature-heavy collaborative approach amid rising demand for his vocal versatility.[29]
Major label debut and consolidation (2014–2016)
In 2012, Ty Dolla Sign signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records.[2] This deal marked his entry into major label backing, following independent mixtape releases. His first project under the label, the Beach House EP, was released on January 21, 2014.[26] The seven-track extended play featured guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, B.o.B, French Montana, Trey Songz, Twista, Jay Rock, Travis Scott, and Fredo Santana, with Ty Dolla Sign handling most production.[10] The EP capitalized on the momentum from his prior single "Paranoid," which had gained traction prior to the release.[25]Building on the EP's exposure, Ty Dolla Sign released his debut studio album, Free TC, on November 13, 2015, through Taylor Gang Entertainment and Atlantic Records.[10] The album, dedicated to his incarcerated brother TC, debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 chart, moving 31,274 album-equivalent units in its first week.[30] It included collaborations with artists such as Future, Rae Sremmurd, Kanye West, and Fetty Wap, and was led by the single "Blasé" featuring Future and Rae Sremmurd.[30] Despite mixed critical reception, the project solidified his presence in contemporary R&B and hip-hop, emphasizing themes of street life, relationships, and personal struggles.[31]To maintain momentum, Ty Dolla Sign issued the Campaign mixtape on September 23, 2016, distributed commercially via Atlantic Records.[32] This release featured high-profile guests including Future, Swae Lee, and Tyrese, and served as a bridge to future solo work while showcasing his hook-writing prowess on tracks blending trap influences with melodic elements.[33] During this period, his feature appearances on songs by artists like Kanye West and 2 Chainz further enhanced his industry standing, contributing to his consolidation as a go-to vocalist and producer in the genre.[34]
Collaborative peaks and experimental phases (2016–2018)
Ty Dolla Sign released the mixtape Campaign on September 23, 2016, through Atlantic Records, featuring guest appearances from Future, Migos, Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Trey Songz, and Wiz Khalifa among others.[33][35] The project, comprising 16 tracks, incorporated trap and hyphy elements alongside his signature R&B style, marking a shift toward more upbeat, party-oriented production compared to prior works.[36] Tracks such as "Zaddy" highlighted his melodic hooks and versatile vocal delivery, contributing to the mixtape's reception as a transitional effort blending commercial rap influences with personal songwriting.[37]Throughout 2016 and 2017, Ty Dolla Sign's collaborative output intensified, with prominent features on high-profile releases including Kanye West's "Famous" from The Life of Pablo (February 14, 2016) and Taylor Swift's "This Is What You Came For" (also 2016), which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.[38] These appearances underscored his demand as a hook provider in hip-hop and pop, often credited for enhancing tracks with layered harmonies and ad-libbed flair. His contributions to DJ Khaled's albums and other artists' projects during this period exemplified a peak in feature work, where he appeared on over a dozen singles, leveraging his production skills to fuse R&B sensibilities with trap beats.[5]In 2017, Ty Dolla Sign issued his second studio album, Beach House 3, on October 27 via Atlantic Records, concluding his Beach House series with 20 tracks featuring artists like Travis Scott, Swae Lee, and Skrillex.[39][40] The album experimented with electronic and psychedelic textures, as seen in productions incorporating Skrillex's dubstep influences on "Where Ya At," reflecting an evolution toward genre-blending experimentation while maintaining introspective lyrics on relationships and excess.[41] A deluxe edition followed on May 11, 2018, adding six new songs and further collaborations.[42]The period culminated in the collaborative EP MihTy with Jeremih, released on October 5, 2018, which paired their vocal styles over six tracks emphasizing smooth, mid-tempo R&B with subtle trap undertones.[5] This project represented an experimental duo format, prioritizing chemistry between singers over solo dominance, and included standouts like "The Light," produced to highlight mutual strengths in melody and harmony. Such ventures illustrated Ty Dolla Sign's phase of pushing boundaries through partnerships, balancing commercial features with creative risks in sound design and thematic depth.
Feature-heavy era and personal projects (2019–2022)
In 2019, Ty Dolla Sign shifted toward a prolific output of guest features, contributing vocals and songwriting to tracks by established artists amid a lull in his solo releases. Notable among these was his appearance on Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer" with Nicki Minaj, which debuted and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2019, bolstered by its viral appeal and summery production.[43] This period marked an extension of his reputation for elevating collaborations through layered harmonies and atmospheric R&B elements, as seen in additional features like FKA twigs' "holy terrain" earlier that year, though commercial peaks were sporadic without a concurrent solo project to anchor his visibility.On October 23, 2020, he issued Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, his third studio album, which compiled 25 tracks emphasizing ensemble performances with guests such as Kid Cudi, Post Malone, Kanye West, and Roddy Ricch, thereby encapsulating his feature-centric approach in a structured format.[44] The release, via Atlantic Records, highlighted his production versatility across trap-influenced beats and introspective cuts, earning aggregate scores around 74/100 from user and critic reviews that commended its star power but noted occasional redundancy in the collaborative formula.[45]In 2021, Ty Dolla Sign sustained his collaborative momentum with features on Kanye West's Donda, including vocal contributions to high-profile tracks, before culminating the era in a joint album with dvsn, Cheers to the Best Memories, released August 20 via OVO Sound.[46] The 11-track project, co-produced by Noah "40" Shebib and others, delved into relational introspection with interludes and slow-burn ballads, receiving praise for the artists' vocal interplay but criticism for formulaic execution in places.[47] This release, alongside ongoing features, underscored a phase prioritizing interpersonal synergy over standalone solo endeavors, yielding modest chart traction but reinforcing his niche as a reliable hook provider in contemporary R&B and hip-hop.
High-profile partnerships and solo resurgence (2023–2025)
In 2023, Ty Dolla Sign began a prominent collaborative effort with Kanye West, forming the duo ¥$ and teasing material that would culminate in the Vultures series. The partnership gained traction through listening events and previews, building anticipation amid West's public controversies.[48][49]Vultures 1, released on February 10, 2024, marked the duo's debut joint album, featuring guest appearances from artists including Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Quavo. The project debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 148,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, and held the top position for a second consecutive week.[50][51] Vultures 2 followed on August 3, 2024, continuing the collaborative format with additional contributors such as Kid Cudi and Future, though it received mixed reception for its production and thematic inconsistencies compared to the first installment.[49] These releases elevated Ty Dolla Sign's visibility through high-profile streaming and chart performance, despite criticisms of the albums' rushed rollout and reliance on auto-tune-heavy hooks.[52]Shifting focus to solo work, Ty Dolla Sign released TYCOON on October 17, 2025, his first full-length solo album since Featuring Ty Dolla $ign in 2020. The 15-track project includes collaborations with Kodak Black, YG, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Future, Young Thug, and Quavo, emphasizing trap-influenced R&B beats and themes of independence and legacy.[53][54][55] TYCOON positions itself as a return to Ty Dolla Sign's core sound, with production highlighting his signature melodic flows and guest-driven energy, signaling a resurgence independent of prior joint ventures.[49]
Artistry
Musical style and production techniques
Ty Dolla $ign's musical style fuses contemporary R&B with hip-hop and trap elements, characterized by melodic singing layered over sparse, atmospheric beats that emphasize vocal hooks and emotional introspection. His approach often features heavy use of Auto-Tune to create a signature smoothed, futuristic vocal texture, blending raw R&B sensuality with trap's rhythmic minimalism, as evident in tracks like "Paranoid" from 2014, where pitched-up melodies contrast with subdued 808 bass lines.[56] This hybrid draws from West Coast rap's laid-back vibe, positioning him as a "mad scientist" songwriter who prioritizes vibe and replay value over dense lyricism.[57]As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist proficient in bass, electric guitar, and keyboards such as the Ensoniq TS-10, Ty Dolla $ign incorporates live instrumentation to add organic soulfulness to otherwise electronic productions, avoiding horns but layering guitars and keys for depth.[58] His production techniques emphasize sampling, inspired by J Dilla, involving vinyl digging and flipping obscure records into foundational loops, as in the bassline sample from Mythology's "The Soul Track" for "Ego Death" in 2020.[56][58] He typically works in solitary home setups with basic gear like a computer and microphone, testing mixes across speaker types including Augspurger mains and Yamaha NS10s to ensure translation, and generates high volumes of material—up to 13 songs daily—before refining for simplicity and live energy.[59][58]In recent projects, such as the 2024 collaborative album Vultures 1 with Kanye West, he has integrated AI tools for generating drums and experimental sounds, expanding beyond traditional sampling while maintaining a focus on spontaneous collaboration and ego-free iteration. This evolution reflects a production ethos rooted in efficiency and adaptability, where beats serve as emotional canvases for vocals, often crediting contributors with percentages for ideas to foster creative flow.[59]
Influences and evolution
Ty Dolla Sign's musical foundation stems from his upbringing in a family immersed in funk and R&B traditions; his father was a member of the funk band Lakeside, known for the 1980 hit "Fantastic Voyage," and his uncle performed with the Isley Brothers, exposing him to soulful harmonies and instrumentation from a young age.[60] He began playing bass guitar and keyboards as a child under his father's guidance, fostering a multi-instrumentalist approach that emphasized self-sufficiency in production.[61]His influences span genres beyond contemporary R&B, including Prince, whose versatility across instruments and styles informed Ty Dolla Sign's own genre-blending and guitar work on tracks like those from his 2020 album Featuring Ty Dolla $ign.[62] He has cited K-Ci of Jodeci and K-Ci & JoJo for shaping his ad-libbed vocal flourishes, such as the signature "ooh yeah," drawn from 1990s R&B hits like "All My Life," which influenced the smooth, emotive delivery on his collaborative projects.[62] Additional inspirations include Ella Fitzgerald's jazz phrasing, Nirvana's raw rock energy, and Skrillex's innovative electronic production, the latter directly impacting experimental elements in songs like "Ego Death" and "Midnight Hour" through hands-on collaboration.[60][62] West Coast hip-hop figures like DJ Mustard and YG also played a role, helping him adapt low-rider funk rhythms for club-oriented tracks.[61]Ty Dolla Sign's style evolved from the hedonistic, seduction-focused West Coast R&B of his early mixtapes Beach House (2013) and Beach House 2 (2013), characterized by mellow beats and explicit themes in songs like "Paranoid," to a more introspective phase with his major-label debut Free TC (November 6, 2015), which incorporated personal narratives about his brother's incarceration and emotional vulnerability.[61] By Beach House 3 (October 27, 2017), his sound shifted toward spiritual maturity, emphasizing monogamous relationships and melodic sparsity over dense production, marking a broader redesign of R&B with hip-hop crossover elements akin to those pioneered by T-Pain, Kanye West, and Drake.[61] Subsequent works, including trap-infused collaborations and electronic experiments on Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, reflect ongoing adaptation, blending soulful roots with producers like The-Dream and Skrillex for seamless, mood-shifting transitions.[62][63] This progression positions him as an advocate for R&B's hybridization with trap and psychedelia, influencing younger artists like PartyNextDoor and Kehlani.[61]
Lyrical themes and content
Ty Dolla Sign's lyrics predominantly revolve around hedonism, with recurrent motifs of sexual indulgence, drug consumption, and extravagant partying. In a 2013 interview, he described sex as "one of the biggest things in my life" since adolescence, a theme that permeates tracks like "Sex on Drugs" from his 2015 mixtape Airplane Mode, where he vividly narrates physical intimacy enhanced by substances.[64][65] This portrayal aligns with his self-described lifestyle of "uninterrupted hedonism," as noted in profiles of his work, including songs celebrating Maseratis, bottles, and fleeting encounters on albums like Free TC (2015).[66][67] Such content draws from his experiences in Los Angeles' music scene, where he positions himself as a "freaky lothario" chronicling casual relationships and substance-fueled nights.[68][10]Beneath the surface bravado, his songwriting reveals vulnerability, particularly regarding addiction and emotional dependency. Tracks like "Like a Drug" (2016) equate romantic obsession with narcotic highs, while recent material on Tycoon (2025) explicitly references popping Adderall and grappling with lost love, exposing cracks in his tycoon persona.[69][70] He has discussed quitting psychedelics after a traumatic mushroom trip tied to grief, influencing introspective lyrics that humanize his excesses beyond mere glorification.[71] This duality—hedonistic excess paired with personal reckoning—evolves across projects, as seen in Beach House 3 (2017), where spiritual undertones emerge amid party anthems.[61]Occasionally, his content extends to social commentary, such as advocacy for criminal justice reform in Free TC, dedicated to freeing his imprisoned cousin, blending personal narrative with calls for awareness of racial injustice.[72] Critics note this depth counters perceptions of superficiality, though his core output remains rooted in autobiographical tales of pleasure-seeking and its tolls, prioritizing raw experience over moralizing.[73][74]
Personal life
Relationships and family
Tyrone William Griffin Jr., known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign, was born on April 13, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, to Tyrone Griffin Sr., a musician and member of the funk band Lakeside, and Phyllis Mitchell.[75] His father's career provided early exposure to professional music environments, influencing Griffin's development as an artist.[13] Griffin has two siblings: a brother known as Big TC, who has faced incarceration and collaborated on family-themed tracks, and a sister, Angel Gold, also a musician who has featured on his recordings such as "Claudina Ave."[75][76]Griffin is a father to one child, daughter Jailynn Griffin, born February 1, 2005.[77] He welcomed her at age 22 and maintains an active co-parenting relationship with her mother, a teacher whose identity remains private; he has described their arrangement as positive, attending Jailynn's school events, assisting with homework, and celebrating her academic and athletic achievements, including her high school graduation in 2023 and pursuit of an MBA at Pepperdine University.[77] In a 2014 interview, Griffin called himself a "super-cool dad," emphasizing his efforts to balance touring with involvement in her soccer games and daily life, while crediting his own father for shaping his parenting approach.[78]Griffin has largely kept romantic relationships out of the public eye, with no confirmed marriage or current partner as of 2025. He dated singer Lauren Jauregui from approximately April 2017 to 2019, a relationship he publicly confirmed in October 2017 during a radio interview, following their collaboration on Fifth Harmony's "Work from Home."[79][80] Jailynn's mother represents an earlier partnership, though details beyond co-parenting remain undisclosed.[78]
Substance use and health challenges
Ty Dolla Sign's early music career featured frequent references to codeine-based lean consumption, a mixture of promethazine-codeine syrup, soda, and candy, which he portrayed as part of a hedonistic lifestyle in songs like "Paranoid" from his 2013 mixtapeBeach House.[81] By 2017, however, he publicly renounced lean, declaring in an interview that "lean is dead" and urging others to "stay away from strong drugs like lean" due to its destructive potential, while acknowledging personal choice in substance use.[81][82]On September 5, 2018, Ty Dolla Sign was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, during a traffic stop, charged with felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, misdemeanor possession of drug-related objects, and misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer; authorities reported finding the substances in his vehicle, though his attorney maintained no drugs were on his person.[83][84] A grand jury indicted him on December 10, 2018, for the felony drug charges, potentially facing up to 15 years if convicted.[85] The charges were resolved in June 2019 after he completed an online drug prevention program, drug education classes via the Second Chance initiative, and remained substance-free for 13 weeks, leading to the case being wiped from his record.[9][86]No verified reports detail severe health complications or overdoses directly linked to his substance use, though lean's codeine component carries risks of respiratory depression, addiction, and organ damage, as noted in medical literature on opioid mixtures.[87] Ty Dolla Sign has not disclosed ongoing addiction struggles post-2019, aligning with his earlier pivot away from glorifying such substances.[88]
Political views and public stances
Ty Dolla Sign has occasionally engaged with political topics through his music and public statements, though he is not known as an overtly political artist. In September 2016, he released the mixtape Campaign, which addressed the U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, criticizing both candidates in its opening track by referring to Trump as "Don the Con" and Clinton as "Hilla the Villain," while asserting that neither would benefit urban communities.[89][90] The project included themes urging voter participation, opposition to police brutality, and broader calls for civic engagement in Black communities, reflecting a focus on grassroots mobilization rather than partisan endorsement.[91]Following Trump's election victory, Ty Dolla Sign reflected in a 2017 interview that the mixtape's political messaging had limited impact, stating, "I guess 'Campaign' didn't really work because Trump still won."[92] He has since maintained a low profile on electoral politics, with no recorded endorsements for major candidates in subsequent cycles, including the 2020 or 2024 elections.[93]In February 2025, amid controversy over collaborator Ye's (formerly Kanye West) antisemitic statements on social media, Ty Dolla Sign publicly distanced himself, issuing a statement that he "does not condone hate speech in any form" and emphasizing opposition to discrimination.[94][95] This stance aligns with his prior expressions of community-focused concerns but avoids deeper ideological commitments.
Legal issues
Criminal matters and arrests
In September 2018, Ty Dolla Sign, whose legal name is Tyrone William Griffin Jr., was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia, following a traffic stop near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Police discovered cocaine, marijuana, and THC in his vehicle, leading to charges of felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of THC, misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer.[96][97] He was detained with six others in the vehicle, but only Griffin faced charges.[98]On December 10, 2018, a Fulton County grand jury indicted him on the felony drug possession counts, along with the misdemeanor marijuana charge, potentially exposing him to up to 15 years in prison if convicted.[83][99]Bond was set at $6,000 shortly after the initial arrest.[96]The case was resolved without a conviction; in February 2019, the charges were suspended pending completion of a pretrial diversion program involving drug education classes.[100] By June 2019, upon fulfilling the program's requirements, the drug-related charges were dismissed, and the matter was expunged from his criminal record.[9][86] No prior or subsequent arrests have been publicly documented in connection with his criminal history.
Civil litigation and disputes
In February 2024, the estate of Donna Summer filed a copyright infringementlawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Ty Dolla Sign (Tyrone William Griffin Jr.) and Ye (formerly Kanye West), alleging unauthorized use of elements from Summer's 1977 track "I Feel Love" in the song "Good (Don't Die)" from their collaborative album Vultures 1.[101] The suit, brought by Summer's widower Bruce Sudano as executor, claimed the interpolation occurred despite the estate's explicit denial of permission after Ye's team approached them in late 2023.[102] By June 2024, the parties reached a confidential settlement, leading to the removal of "Good (Don't Die)" from streaming platforms.[103]In November 2024, Memphis-based artists Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky, and Rayna B. Rufus initiated a separate copyright infringement action in federal court against Ty Dolla Sign, Ye, and Create Music Group, asserting that "Fuk Sumn" from Vultures 1 incorporated an uncleared sample from the 1994 track "Drink a Yak (Part 2)."[104] The plaintiffs alleged no licensing agreement was obtained despite the sample's prominence in the beat.[105] Ty Dolla Sign and Create Music Group settled their portions of the claims in July 2025, with court filings dismissing them from the suit, though the case against Ye proceeded.[106]Earlier, in April 2016, Ty Dolla Sign faced a breach-of-contract lawsuit from his former management team, seeking over $1 million in damages related to unpaid commissions and alleged mismanagement of business affairs during his early career rise.[107] Details on the resolution remain limited in public records, but no further escalation or judgments were widely reported. These copyright disputes highlight recurring tensions in Ty Dolla Sign's production work, particularly around sample clearance in high-profile collaborations, though outcomes have consistently favored settlements over trials.
Other activities
Film and television appearances
Ty Dolla Sign debuted in film with a minor role as Hemptathalon Smoker 1 in the 2012 stoner comedy Mac & Devin Go to High School, directed by Dylan C. Brown and starring Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa.[108]In television, he appeared as himself in a daydream sequence during the "Career Day" episode (Season 1, Episode 4) of HBO's Insecure on October 30, 2016, where the character Issa Rae imagines professional success involving the artist.[109] He reprised a similar cameo role in Season 5, Episode 8 ("Choices, Okay?!"), aired December 12, 2021, again portraying himself in Issa's fantasy of music industry collaboration.[110]Sign provided the voice for Ky, Jabari's irreverent friend, in the 2022 Netflix animated musical special Entergalactic, directed by Fletcher Moules and executive produced by Kid Cudi, marking one of his more substantial acting contributions alongside voicing talent like Timothée Chalamet and Jessica Williams.[111][112]In 2024, he portrayed Clarence, a character confronting Ronnie Mathis, in Season 3, Episode 9 ("Breeze") of Starz's Power Book III: Raising Kanan.[113][114]
Business and entrepreneurial efforts
Ty Dolla Sign co-founded EZMNY Records with industry executive Shawn Barron, who originally signed him to Atlantic Records in 2012.[115] The label's first signee was singer Leon Thomas, whose track "Mutt" achieved notable success, prompting further expansions.[116] In May 2022, EZMNY entered a joint venture with Motown Records to develop and distribute artists under the imprint.[117] By June 2025, EZMNY partnered with Create Music Group in another joint venture, leveraging the latter's data-driven platform to empower emerging talent amid the label's growing roster.[118] These deals reflect Sign's shift toward artist-centric ownership models, emphasizing direct distribution and revenue retention over traditional major-label dependencies.[119]In April 2025, Sign partnered with Good Money LLC, the company behind the ultra-luxury Le Bon Argent Champagne brand, expanding into the premium wine and spirits sector.[120] The collaboration aligns with his "Easy Money" branding, derived from "Le Bon Argent," translating to "good money" in French, and positions him as an equity partner in marketing and promotion efforts for the high-end product line.[120] This venture marks his entry into consumer goods beyond music, capitalizing on his personal affinity for luxury lifestyles documented in his discography and public persona.[121]
Discography
Studio albums
Ty Dolla Sign's debut studio album, Free TC, was released on November 13, 2015, through Atlantic Records.[122] The project, executive produced by the artist alongside Wiz Khalifa and others, debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 30,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[43] It featured collaborations with artists including Future, Joe Moses, and Kanye West, emphasizing themes of incarceration tied to the artist's brother, TC.[123]His second studio album, Beach House 3, arrived on October 27, 2017, via Atlantic Records, serving as the final installment in the Beach House series that began with extended plays.[40] The album peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200, driven by singles like "Love U Better" featuring Lil Wayne and "Campaign."[41] It included guest appearances from Swae Lee, Kodak Black, and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, with production highlighting the artist's signature melodic R&B and trap influences.[39]Featuring Ty Dolla Sign, released on October 23, 2020, by Atlantic Records, marked his third studio effort and debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 with 44,000 equivalent album units, primarily from streaming.[124] The album topped the Top R&B Albums chart and reached number 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, featuring high-profile guests such as Kid Cudi, Post Malone, Kanye West, and Anderson .Paak across 25 tracks.[125] Its release capitalized on the artist's role as a prolific collaborator, with tracks like "Ego Death" (with Kanye West and Skrillex) underscoring his hook-driven style.His fourth studio album, Tycoon, was issued on October 17, 2025, through Atlantic Records.[126] As of late October 2025, specific chart performance data remains emerging, though it continues his pattern of blending R&B, hip-hop, and guest features consistent with prior releases.[21]
Ty Dolla Sign initiated his recording career with independent mixtapes in the early 2010s, blending contemporary R&B, trap influences, and hook-driven production that highlighted his songwriting and vocal versatility. These releases, often hosted by DJs and distributed via platforms like DatPiff, built his underground following in Los Angeles before major label involvement.[127][128]His debut mixtape, House on the Hill, arrived in 2011 and featured collaborations with artists such as Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg, showcasing early affiliations in the West Coast scene.[5] This was followed by Back Up Drive Vol. 1 later that year, emphasizing raw, party-oriented tracks produced by emerging talents like DJ Mustard.[129]Back Up Drive Vol. 2 extended this series in 2012, incorporating more guest appearances and hosted by DJ Ill Will, DJ Mustard, and the LA Leakers.[129]In May 2012, he collaborated with rapper Joe Moses on the joint mixtape Whoop!, which leaned into club-ready anthems and further solidified his production role in LA's hip-hop circles. The Beach House mixtape, released on October 1, 2012, marked a pivotal shift toward smoother, atmospheric vibes with tracks like "Toot It and Boot It" remnants from prior features, helping secure his signing to Taylor Gang Entertainment and Atlantic Records.[4] Its sequel, Beach House 2, dropped on July 1, 2013, expanding the series with denser guest lists including AAP Rocky and [Pusha T](/page/Pusha_T). Later mixtapes like *ign Language* (August 2014) and Airplane Mode 2 (October 2015) bridged to his studio era, focusing on melodic introspection amid rising fame.[129]Extended plays began with the commercial Beach House EP on January 21, 2014, via Atlantic Records, compiling reworked mixtape cuts like the hit single "Paranoid" (featuring B.o.B and Joe Moses) alongside new material such as "Work," which peaked on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and propelled his mainstream breakthrough.[130][131] The EP's seven tracks, running 33 minutes, emphasized his signature falsetto and party themes, earning critical notice for production polish.[132] Subsequent EPs were limited, with Spotify Sessions in 2016 offering acoustic reinterpretations of prior hits, though primarily promotional rather than original content.[133]
Commercial debut; lead single "Paranoid" chart success.[130][131]
Spotify Sessions
EP
2016
Acoustic covers of hits.[133]
Awards and nominations
Grammy recognitions
Ty Dolla $ign has received six Grammy Award nominations as of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, with no wins.[7]His latest recognition came at the 2025 Grammys for Best Rap Song for "Carnival," co-performed with Ye and featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti from their collaborative album Vultures 1.[135][136]Earlier nominations include contributions to Album of the Year for H.E.R.'s Back of My Mind (2022), where he performed on tracks such as "Cheat Code"; Best Melodic Rap Performance for "WusYaName" by Tyler, the Creator featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign (2022); and Best Dance Recording for "Midnight Hour" with Skrillex and Boys Noize (2020).[137][138]The remaining nominations stem from his songwriting and production credits on other nominated works, reflecting his frequent collaborations across rap, R&B, and electronic genres.[7]
Ty Dolla Sign won the Best Group award at the 2024 BET Awards alongside Ye for their collaborative efforts on the album Vultures 1.[139]He received the Feeture Collab Impact Award at Billboard's Future of Music and Money event, presented by UBS, on September 6, 2025, recognizing his influence in feature collaborations within hip-hop and R&B.[140]In 2019, Ty Dolla Sign secured the MTV Video Music Award for Best Power Anthem for "Hot Girl Summer," his collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj.[141]His feature on Fifth Harmony's "Work from Home" earned the Favorite Song award at the 2017 Kids' Choice Awards.[141]