“Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records…” A line from Eminem that many millennials sang along to as they battled the wild, wild west of middle school some 20 years ago. It’s also a sentiment that many like Tywon Bailey took to heart, because while it’d be easy to fall in line and get all parental advisory with his music – his faith led him to create clean content that is still as fine tuned as his peers. We talked about his choice to deliver clean content, the Miami scene, and how one should always treat a lady in this wonderful exchange.
Kendra: Being from Miami, were you influenced at all by the lively music scene that city presents?
Tywon Bailey: I would say yes, absolutely! You know Miami has its own style of hip-hop which involves a lot of dancing and “booty shaking” music. Although I did grow up listening to that, I was influenced by gospel and R&B!
Kendra: Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, R&B was a genre that topped the charts. Then it kind of took a dip but seems to be experiencing a resurgence. What do you think has sparked this newfound interest in the genre once again?
Tywon Bailey: Listen, singers are always going to win in the end because people love great singing! I think rappers are realizing that, which is why a lot of them are trying to sing now.
Kendra: What inspired you to approach R&B and hip hop from a clean perspective?
Tywon Bailey: My love for God and really wanting to make a difference in the industry. They say if you don’t stand for something you fall for anything, and I certainly stand for God at the end of the day! Plus, I believe that if Will Smith had a thriving career in music without conforming to the culture than so can I and many others.
Kendra: Our readers can hear your clean take on music with your latest single, “Down Wit It.” Is this song based on anyone in particular, or were you just vibing to a beat you had in your head and the lyrics just started to pour?
Tywon Bailey: So I try to make music from the heart and pick topics that are real to me so yes, this song was inspired by a relationship that I wanted to be in, and still do to this day. We are just taking things slow. I also wanted to school these dudes on the correct way to approach a lady. And all the ladies say AMEN!
Kendra: R&B is heavily rooted in Black communities, and right now those communities are out on the streets demanding nothing more than to be treated fairly by police. How do you feel artists can help Black Lives Matter continue to get their message heard?
Tywon Bailey: By continuing to raise awareness in the world through music and other avenues. We see it in sports, and even some churches are taking a stand on it. Music is an international language understood by all mankind and I think we should continue to spread the message by creating content.
Kendra: With all that has transpired this year, how do you feel 2020 has shaped your creativity and drive moving forward?
Tywon Bailey: It has definitely given me a chance to reflect and catch-up with life in general. I have had a chance to strengthen my relationship with God and with family during this time and I encourage everyone to do the same.
Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?
Tywon Bailey: Sure, right now I have a trio-band called FM that everybody can check out on YouTube under Tywon Bailey. We are really taking over the cover music scene there and it is growing. I’m also getting ready to release my EP, ‘THE EP,’ dropping in January 2021. But the one song that gets me through every time is “Way Maker.” I think it was originally made popular by Sinach but I like Leeland’s version because there is a part that says, “…even when I don’t see you’re working, even when I don’t feel like you’re working. You never stop, you never stop working!”
