Bryson Tiller Bio
Bryson Djuan Tiller (born 2 January 1993) is an American R&B singer, rapper, and songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky. Known professionally by his stage alias Pen Griffey, he rose to mainstream prominence in 2015 with his debut studio album Trapsoul, which blended trap-influenced beats with traditional R&B vocals. Over the course of his career, Tiller has earned two BET Awards and four Grammy Award nominations, and he continues to be recognized as one of the defining voices of contemporary R&B.
Early Life and Background
Bryson Djuan Tiller was born on January 2, 1993, in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother passed away when he was four years old, after which he was raised by his grandmother. He lived with his cousins, Ryan and Kevon Smekrud, until he was 17 years old, and he has three brothers. Tiller attended Iroquois High School in his hometown of Louisville.
During his teenage years, Tiller began singing and rapping at the age of 15, an early creative outlet that would eventually shape his musical direction. He has credited his uncle with introducing him to the first album by singer Omarion, which sparked his desire to pursue singing. By the time he finished high school, Tiller had already begun laying the groundwork for a career in music, though he would not graduate from Iroquois High School until June 2020.
Path to Music
Tiller’s entry into the music industry began in 2011 with the release of his debut mixtape, Killer Instinct Vol. 1, a 21-track project that showcased his early fusion of R&B melodies and rap flows. In 2013, Tiller became a father and stepped away from music for a period, taking jobs at Papa John’s and UPS to support his daughter, Harley. This brief hiatus from performing allowed him to refine his craft and prepare for a return to the studio.
In October 2014, Tiller uploaded his debut single Don’t to his SoundCloud account, where it gradually gained traction among music industry insiders. The track was officially released on iTunes in May 2015 and quickly became the foundation of his major-label career. Early co-signs from producer Timbaland and rapper Drake drew significant industry attention, eventually leading Tiller to sign a record deal with RCA Records, announced on August 25, 2015. Tiller notably declined an offer to join Drake’s OVO Sound label, choosing to forge his own path with RCA.
Bryson Tiller Career
Early Career (2011-2014)
Tiller recorded his first mixtape, Killer Instinct Vol. 1, in 2011, releasing 21 songs that demonstrated his melodic sensibilities and trap-leaning production instincts. The project circulated among local audiences in Louisville, helping him build a small but loyal following. Following the birth of his daughter in 2013, Tiller paused his musical pursuits to work at Papa John’s and UPS, a period he later described as essential to grounding his artistic vision.
During this early stage, Tiller developed the songwriting discipline that would later define his career, drawing inspiration from artists such as The-Dream, R. Kelly, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Drake. By 2014, he was ready to test his sound on a larger platform, uploading Don’t to SoundCloud in October of that year. The song’s slow, atmospheric production and confessional lyrics attracted attention from established figures in the industry, setting the stage for his breakthrough.
Breakthrough (2015-2016)
On October 2, 2015, Tiller released his debut studio album, Trapsoul, which debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 and later climbed to number eight. The album spawned three notable singles: the lead single Don’t, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received septuple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); Exchange, which peaked at number 26 and earned Tiller a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song; and Sorry Not Sorry, which reached number 67. The album itself was eventually certified triple platinum by the RIAA.
In January 2016, Tiller launched the Trapsoul Tour to promote the album, with opening act THEY. On March 12, 2016, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer presented Tiller with the key to the city and proclaimed the date as Bryson Tiller Day. That May, he made his US television debut, performing Exchange on Late Night with Seth Meyers. In June 2016, Tiller performed at the BET Awards, where he received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
True to Self and Continued Success (2017-2018)
Tiller’s second studio album, True to Self, was released on May 26, 2017, a month ahead of its intended schedule. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, earning 107,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, including 47,000 pure album sales, and became Tiller’s first chart-topping record. Also in 2017, Tiller partnered with Nike, Inc. to provide a new Wyandotte Park for children and teens in Louisville.
That same year, Tiller guest appeared alongside Rihanna on DJ Khaled’s single Wild Thoughts, which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart. In August 2017, he released a collaborative single with Jazmine Sullivan titled Insecure, the title track for the HBO series Insecure. In January 2018, he performed Wild Thoughts with Rihanna and DJ Khaled at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, further cementing his presence on the global stage.
Anniversary and Recent Work (2019-2024)
Throughout 2019 and 2020, Tiller was featured on several songs by other artists while preparing his next project. On October 2, 2020, he released his third studio album, Anniversary, marking the fifth anniversary of his debut. The album included a guest feature from Drake and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. A deluxe edition of Anniversary followed on February 26, 2021, adding five new tracks and a feature from Big Sean.
On November 19, 2021, Tiller released his first Christmas album, A Different Christmas, a project inspired by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, the latter of whom featured on a track titled Lonely Christmas. Tiller’s daughter Halo also appeared on the closing track. In 2024, Tiller released his self-titled fourth studio album, Bryson Tiller, on April 5, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and spawning the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 single Whatever She Wants.
Notable Works and Milestones
Tiller’s signature work remains Trapsoul, which established his signature sound of trap-influenced R&B and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song with Exchange. His landmark moment came in 2016 when he received the key to the city from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and won two BET Awards for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. His musical style, which he has described as the perfect marriage between hip hop and R&B, has drawn comparisons to Drake, Jeremih, PartyNextDoor, and Tory Lanez.
Bryson Tiller Award Nominations
Bryson Tiller has received four Grammy Award nominations across his career, reflecting his consistent presence on the major R&B and hip-hop stages. Two of these nominations were earned for his work with singer H.E.R., specifically on her 2018 single Could’ve Been and her 2021 album Back of My Mind. Additionally, his 2015 single Exchange earned him a nomination for Best R&B Song, further demonstrating his songwriting credibility.
Bryson Tiller Awards Won
Bryson Tiller has won two BET Awards during his career. At the 2016 BET Awards, he received the award for Best New Artist as well as Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, marking his first major industry recognition. He has also received the key to the city of Louisville, presented by Mayor Greg Fischer, in acknowledgment of his cultural impact.
Upcoming Projects
In 2025, Tiller announced plans for a first-ever double album project, consisting of two separate releases titled Solace and The Vices. Tiller confirmed on his Instagram in May 2025 that both albums were finished and awaiting sample clearances. He released The Vices on August 8, 2025, with Solace expected to follow.
Bryson Tiller Family
Bryson Djuan Tiller’s family life has been shaped by both loss and growth. His mother passed away when he was four years old, after which he was raised by his grandmother alongside his three brothers and cousins Ryan and Kevon Smekrud. Tiller has two daughters, the first of whom, Harley, was born in 2013, and the second named Halo.
Personal Life
As of 2018, Bryson Tiller is in a relationship with Kendra Bailey, the mother of his second child. Tiller has stated that he will probably never do video interviews, preferring to maintain a shadowy public persona that lets his music speak for itself. He graduated from Iroquois High School in Louisville, Kentucky, in June 2020.