$tylez is a true product of the Bronx and the definition of an independent artist. Born in Arizona but bred in New York, Ajaay was thrown in the fire and forced to grow up quick after his family made the cross-country move to the Bronx at age 9. As a way to escape the hardships of inner city living and connect with his new surroundings, $tylez began making music in his stepfather’s home studio and posting it up on Myspace. When people at school began to react favorably, he booked his first official studio session and all other interests were out the window. Influenced by the likes of Chris Brown, Drake, J. Cole & Meek Mill, it didn’t take very long for $tylez to create catchy hooks and strong melodies that appealed to a wide audience bridging the gap between R&B and hip-hop.
In 2015, $tylez had his first child and came to a turning point. Instead of falling back from the music, he doubled down. Money was tight, but instead of backing down he chose to invest in himself and picked up a camera to begin shooting, directing, and editing his all of his own Music Videos. As new needs arose, he learned new skills. His strengths as an artist and videographer grew quickly after years of working with notable NY producer and engineer Mike Kuz - from whom $tylez learned the ins and outs of mixing and mastering. When he got the news that he’d soon be father to a new daughter in 2017, now with a firm grasp on the recording and video production process, is when $tylez decided he needed to be fully self-sufficient - mastering every aspect of being an artist, from music production to videography to marketing. Before long and ever since, every video is self-directed, every graphic self-designed, and every song fully written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by $tylez himself - even forming a company in 2018 called iN House Multimedia Group that’s still in operation today to solicit video and design services to other artists.
In addition to video production and pure rap talent, this man’s singing ability is not to be slept on, as he frequently showcases his range by switching effortlessly between rapping and singing, even producing a full R&B project in 2018 titled ‘Visionary: Red’ - featuring fan-favorite “Thats My Baby”. Over the years, he’s embodied the essence of independence, putting out a steady stream of high-quality singles accompanied by well produced, high end visuals like “Be Alone,” “Grind” and “Nothing New”.
Right now, with the city zigging towards the heavy bass sounds of drill, this could be the perfect time to zag to the melodic pain and relatable sound of $tylez. Being developed into a fully-fledged independent artist, with an in house production company, and a bubbling force within the Bronx hip hop & RNB scene - I think its safe to say $tylez is just one catchy single away from topping the Billboard charts.
- Aidan Press Play Agency