TNYG Crafting Inspiration

TNYG (pronounced Tony-Gee), also known as Antonio Garcia, is an independent artist with nine years of experience in music creation and performance. He has several collaborative projects with RapperStore (RS), the recording studio in Boise, Idaho. I had the privilege of sitting down with TNYG on two separate occasions to dive into discussions about his artistic journey, his inspiration sources, and his advice for fellow artists.

The journey to Rapperstore began when TNYG and RS CEO Mac Dylan met in 2015. The two artists formed a friendship while rapping, making music, and touring together with Mac's group,'WildBunch.' They parted ways, as TNYG began working on being an independent artist, and Mac grew into producing, making beats, and engineering.

"In 2022, we crossed paths again. I hit him up, told him how proud I was of his accomplishments. Mac invited me down to RS and I met Kasin Pointe, Konquest, Chaotic, and the other artists," said TNYG. "I want to add value and help where I can. I attended the weekly studio meetings: taking in information, giving back value, adding, helping where I could, and initiating."

TNYG has his own recording studio setup at home and enjoys the hands-on experience and learning through the process. He has recorded a few songs at Rapperstore, but they have been collaborative tracks. The friendship that started 7 years earlier grew into a business venture.

Utilizing the RS studio as a venue, TNYG started throwing shows to get the artists together and get the community involved.

"We grind it out and RS knows that I am there for them if they need help or support; and vice versa, they are there for me. RS has been there for me anytime I have needed help."

TNYG finds inspiration in creating music, listening to other artists, and exploring books by favorite authors. He says the main thing that inspires him to create his own music is the creation of something that once only existed in his mind before it happened. The process of making sounds (pressing buttons, scrolling samples, and putting things together) often leads to writing inspiration for TNYG.

"It’s interesting that the main source of inspiration is in the creation; it’s in the process of doing that inspires me to make more music. Then, when I hear the finished product, that inspires me to make another one. It’s never like I made this one song, and that’s the end and I am just done. I can do better than that. I can do different things. So while I am still appreciating what I just made, it’s always that hunger that is like: what’s next; what else can I do; I’m gonna one up myself."

TNYG also finds inspiration in the expression in the art itself. He explained he used to be tuned in to writing what he felt (heartbreak, a good day), and writing only to those moments, but he now writes what he finds fitting to the instrumentation he makes.

"In beats phonically, I hear words with certain keys and sounds. I mirror those words back; something just fires off in my mind, I write it down. This is the expression ‘being in the moment’* and being present in that moment within that creation. That’s what I like. That’s what inspires me."

TNYG says that he has to be continually in the practice. He sits at his desk and he figures it out. It might be good, he said, or it might not sound great, but it is about showing up daily. He said it gets easier to create, which then fuels the inspiration to create more.

His current catalog of other creatives includes Drake, MIKE, LARUSSELL, RUSS, Kendrick, and J Cole. He doesn't look at these artists only for the music they create; TNYG likes to

know what they do for the community, and who they are as people.

"When I see Drake: he’s professional, grounded, confident in his abilities, articulates himself very well, and he creates great music. When I listen to Mike, he's spiritual and grounded in

knowing who he is; his self-awareness and the freedom that he displays when he creates music. With LARUSSELL, his music is great and powerful; but his business moves, the

behind the scenes, doing his own merch, doing his own shows, he has his whole team gathered. He feeds everyone with his creative innovativeness which is great. RUSS preaches independence and to go get it, do it yourself, go figure it out. It might take longer or be harder, but you are figuring it out yourself and cutting out the middleman."

TNYG explained it is not just their music that inspires him; it is who they are that makes him want to consume their music. He says at some point, people will hear a Drake track, but for

underground artists, you don't get the chance to come across their music. Without seeing those profiles and viewing who those underground artists are, TNYG says, he wouldn't know the music.

On his social media platforms, TNYG will share posts of the books that he is reading. He has many inspirational titles to recommend: 'The Alchemist,' 'The 48 Laws of Power,' 'Hustle

Harder, Hustle Smarter,' ‘The Creative Act: A Way of Being,’ and 'Atomic Habits.'

"James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits' is a book that really helped. All these books really helped when I read them; it was like refreshers. But the one that helped me the most when I needed

it was: ‘The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment’ by Eckhart Tolle. To just be present in the moment and not dwelling on the past or future; it’s a really great spiritual book.”

TNYG’s advice to new artists is to focus on one thing at a time. He says if you are an artist, musician, vocalist, or a songwriter, focus on that and write as many songs as you can. He says there will be good and bad songs, but master that craft.

“Mastering a craft is a continuous thing; you get to the point where it’s second nature and you don’t have to force what to write about. We will all have those moments (before it’s second nature), but it will be less of those moments as we evolve in that art. So you get that (songwriting) down, and then add something else. Maybe pick up an instrument and then another instrument; get that down, and then add something else. Whatever you think will help you get

to that next level in your career path as a musician. Step into that, but don’t lose what you have already done. It’s like the spinning plate analogy: you don’t start with ten spinning plates all at once, you start with spinning one plate, you get the balance right, and you get another, and get it right, and get everything spinning and going. You are keeping all the plates spinning, and not dropping them, while balancing everything together.”

He says once you master one thing; then step into marketing, step into making shows, step into graphic design—whatever is going to be the most beneficial for you as an independent artist. TNYG says you will have to do more than write songs and rap; so really step into the role

knowing that it will be more than just rapping.

“You are gonna have to learn to write, rap, perform, record, mix, master, engineer, produce, graphic design, and more. But don’t start with all that; start with one thing, and then confidently move to the next plate.”

Find TNYG at www.tnygmusic.com and @tnygmusic on all social platforms.