TL On The Beat: Artists Best Kept Secret

TL on the Beat is an up and coming artist and producer that is currently making a major splash in the music industry. Influenced by producers such as Timberland, Kanye West, and Lex Luger; TLs’ instrumentals or “beats” are known for their undertones of 808s and funkadelic melodies.

Music runs through his veins, TL’S family lineage includes the legendary jazz musician Duke Ellington. TL on the Beat recalls his interest in pursuing music began developing through his primary years of school. Although TL is well known as a producer, TLs’ musical roots began in middle school as a rapper in the group entitled Gwap Team. Unfortunately, the group did not have much success and eventually disbanded; leaving TL discouraged to pursue his talents behind the scenes.

Despite this minor setback; TL’s experience in the studio enhanced his interest in producing; giving the budding artist hope in establishing himself in the music industry once again. Over the next two years, TL was introduced to the popular audio mixing software known as Fruity Loops. From that moment on TL spent every weekend in the public library downloading the program and perfecting his craft.

Eventually, TL’s talent and connections began paying off. At the age of 20, TL had productions with top tier Atlanta artist including but are not limited to: Bankroll Fresh, Young Scooter, Justine Skye, Yo Gotti, Mr 2-17, and most recently Mike Will Made It, Rae Sremmurd & Lil Yachty. It seems that TL on the Beat is on a trajectory to become a household name for hip hop artist similar to Mike Will Made It and Zaytoven.

The Hype sat down with TL on the Beat to catch up with his past, present, and what is to come in the future.

What is your birth name? How has your upcoming in Decatur, GA groomed your talents and skills as an artist/producer?

TL: My birth name is Tyler Langley. Growing up in Decatur as well as my upbringing made me who I am today. As a child, I was exposed to different cultures at a young age. I stayed with my grandparents for a while; due to their religious beliefs, I couldn’t listen to rap music so I would always listen to jazz and Motown classics. Then I moved back with my mom and that is when things got different for me. I didn’t get exposed to hip hop until I was like 10 years old. I remember hearing Ms. Jackson by OutKast for the first time. Definitely was one of my favorites. Over time I started to get exposed to reggae/dancehall. My mom has a best friend who was from Costa Rica. We would always go to her friends’ house for parties and they will always play reggae music, turning into me making my own music in my bedroom. I started rapping for a while but I wasn’t a good performer what discouraged me from rap to making beats.

Tell us your experience working with established artists/producers such as Yo Gotti, Mike Will Made It and etc?

TL: My first experience working 1 on 1 with a major artist was definitely an eye-opener for me. Every time I would look at the boards and look into the booth I noticed that everyone in the room was rocking with the beat that I made for them. This experience was just one of those feelings that I can’t even explain. The first major artist I ever worked with was Rae Sremmurd. That relationship came from the artist that I was working with by the name of Impxct. Impxct and Sremmurd were from the same city, which is Tupelo, Mississippi. Impxct moved to Atlanta to go to college where we crossed paths while we both attended the Art Institute of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, GA. The initial work relationship transformed into me meeting Mike Will Made It. Mike Will Made It is a fan of my work and definitely liked the music Impxct and I would put together.

My placement with Yo Gotti stems from one of Mike’s producers from the ear drummers camp named Scooly. We collaborated on the beat together and then he sent it to Mike for placement. After that, I worked with Yo Gotti. I mean I know it sounds like some type of magic but that’s how it went in my eyes.

Can you recall the moment throughout your secondary years that you decided that the entertainment industry was your calling?

TL: Honestly I always wanted to do something in entertainment, I just didn’t know what I wanted to pursue. Now I understand what the industry is and what it consists of on a yearly basis. The moment I found out making music was what I wanted to do is when I saw that everybody enjoyed my content. It makes me happy when I get to fulfill others with that same feeling with something that I created

What is your direct relationship with your relative, legendary jazz artist Duke Ellington? If you were able to converse with Ellington; what would you have wanted to ask him regarding the music industry, advice, etc?

TL: Duke Ellington was my great grandmother’s first cousin. All of my family stem from New York; I am practically the only from Georgia besides my younger cousins. If I could ask Duke Ellington one thing I would ask for a collaboration. I would definitely like to put some of that funk on one of my beats and see where that would take us.

Take us through the production process when creating for your clientele?

TL: My process of working with a client is pretty simple. I usually start to see what is it that they need and start there before I take the job. If I’m making a beat for the client I usually have them come up with something or have something ready prior to the session. After I will have them repeat their lyrics and create a whole vibes around there performance and then we start the recording process.

What can we expect from TL on the beat in the future?

TL: What to expect from me in the near future is a whole lot of new music and multiple cool videos and a whole lot of TL on the Beat.