Avenue Interviews Tay F. 3rd by Vic Stunts

If you’ve been paying attention to hip-hop in LA since before Instagram, Twitter, Facebook  and Soundcloud was poppin’ and we all used a now antiquated website called Myspace that was a combination of all four aforementioned social networks. In those days of Myspace artists uploaded their music to their Myspace Music profiles so their online friends were able to download and play their music, just like Soundcloud does now. One of the people who quickly rose in popularity and gained many “friends” was a Long Beach rapper named Tay F. 3rd, who was at the forefront of the newly birthed Jerking movement that dominated the whole LA area for a short period, with music being made by kids at home on their laptops and makeshift studios.

I discovered Tay’s music in 2008 via some hoochie’s profile. I was Myspacing late one night during the summer and this girl had Tay’s song as her profile-song, it was the dopest remix to T-Pain and Lil Wayne’s “Can’t Believe It” where he ingeniously said, “I get so deep you could feel it in your soul, now let me drink the milk from your cereal bowl” among other clever pornographic bars.

Since then, Tay has aligned himself with LA’s biggest radio personality Big Boy, done a lot of growing, released so much good music while collaborating with many marquee artists such as DJ Quik, Glasses Malone, E-40 and more. Now as he preps his new project and possible new label venture, I interviewed him and asked him about a few of these things.

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Vic Stunts: What is your relationship with Big Boy? And Big Boy Music.

Tay F. 3rd: I’m his artist lol first artist at that which is a blessing.

Vic Stunts: What is the next project you’ll be releasing?

Tay F. 3rd: Sandbox 2.

Vic Stunts: What producers and artists do you plan on working with on Sandbox 2?

Tay F. 3rd: As of artist I’m not working with nobody besides my label mates (Fly Wayne, Ysep, Garret Douglas etc), but producing wise it’s a long list from Ear Drummers to LOS (League of Starz).

Vic Stunts: Will we hear Sandbox 2 before 2015 is over?

Tay F. 3rd: Maybe 🙂

Vic Stunts: Describe Sandbox 2 in two words.

Tay F. 3rd: Very melodic.

Vic Stunts: When I wanted to do this interview, I went to your Twitter, and I seen you alluding to signing a major record deal. Can you elaborate on this?

Tay F. 3rd: Can’t really say much bout it, honestly.

Vic Stunts: I also noticed you were going door to door handing out hundred dollar bills, what inspired you to do that?

Tay F. 3rd: Haha blessings man, it’s always good to give back and plus it was people who were following me so I owe em that at least.

Vic Stunts: That’s real, so when you first came up and had your first record “I Smoke I Drank I Jerk” all over Power 106 did you feel like you were ready for all the attention yet?

Tay F. 3rd: Not at all, I was childish and didn’t know how to handle the wave. I definitely wish God planned it on me now but then again god never make mistakes so I’m aware and such now.

Vic Stunts: What were some of the reckless things you did after your song reached radio success, and did you get a record deal during that time?

Tay F. 3rd: I was poppin’ pills, I was just out of control. My whole life was definitely in a bad state, my mind was just in a bad place, I was having flings (lol), cheating jail, and all types of things. I couldn’t even get a deal I was in jail when my song was on the radio. 

Vic Stunts: That’s crazy, one thing I’ve noticed is how far your flow, and style have come (since back then). You went from the King of Jerking music to now making songs where you’re doing positive records like A OK and singing, making bangers like Monogamy. Can you tell us about how your music has evolved so much?

Tay F. 3rd: Really just growing up, I’m maturing I wouldn’t say I’m changing because I’m regally the same person. I’m just opening more I think, allowing my personal feelings to dwell out more instead of hiding them.

Listen to one of Tay’s latest singles below.