Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith Is The Carters' Friend You Should Be Concerned With
The moment we all waited for finally arrived. The Carters (JAY-Z and Beyoncé) released their joint album, 'EVERYTHING IS LOVE,' this past Saturday. The album was a longtime coming since the rumors first surfaced in 2014, around the time of the first 'On The Run' tour. 'Lemonade' and '4:44' came and went and still there was no album. The rumors reached a fever pitch when the 'On The Run II' tour was announced this past Spring. There was no was way The Carters would go on tour, under the same name, and deliver the same set. So, it was just a question of when the album would be released.
So, the album is here. Upon listening to the album it makes sense that this would be the third in the trilogy of albums. 'Lemonade' was Beyoncé's revelation of being cheated on, '4:44' was JAY-Z asking for forgiveness and 'EVERYTHING IS LOVE' is the reformation and reparation of them as a couple. Well played Carters, well played.
As for the nine track album itself, it leaves me stuck in the middle of seeing the 'On The Run II' tour. I had no initial interest in seeing this tour as it was virtually a replica of their first outing before they released this new album and even with the release of this new album there are only three of the nine tracks that I truly like and care to see and hear live. "APESHIT," "LOVEHAPPY" and "FRIENDS" are those songs.
Speaking of "FRIENDS," it is tied with "APESHIT" as my favorite not just because how I perceive it sonically but also the lyrics. It is a song that is perfectly aligned with my values and how I see friends; I see them as family. What also makes this interesting is the fact that I always thought Beyoncé never had friends. Her image is so tightly drawn that the only people she is publicly associated with is her mother Tina, her sister Solange, her cousin Angie and her Destiny Child's bandmates Kelly and Michelle but as she states, her friends are "closer than kin." Still, the most intriguing part of this song is "Ty Ty."
“Ty mama died, I was there, my nephew died, he was there,
Ty Ty there, E there, Breezy there, Juan there,
Ty Ty take care of my kids, after he done grievin’...”
If you listened to any JAY-Z song, starting from the late 90's, then you have heard JAY-Z mention Tyran "Ty Ty" Smith. Personally, I first heard his name at the 2008 Grammy Awards when Rihanna gave her acceptance speech for her award for "Umbrella," with JAY-Z. I asked myself who is this "Tah Tah," said in Rihanna's Bajan accent. To put it simply, Ty Ty is JAY's "day one." Illegally, he assisted Carter during his drug dealing days and also defended JAY'S honor against enemies such as R. Kelly and Jim Jones. When you are as loyal as him there is a permanent seat for you on the ride to the top. Smith was a huge part of Def Jam and currently has large role over at Roc Nation. He is responsible for overseeing the careers of Rihanna, Wale and Ne-Yo.
So when you are fooled by the smoke and mirrors of the faux friendships between celebrities, look past that to see who are the true foundations of your favorite public figures. I am looking forward to a visual for this song as I will like to see if The Carters show the world who truly matter in their personal life. Listen to "FRIENDS" below.