Ty is a veteran in the game. His career has seen him share stages with legends like Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, and Chuck D, and even creative forces like Andre 3000 and Linkin Park. Beyond his music, he’s an award-winning film director and a performer known for his intense, personal shows. As a proud member of the Iconoclast Crew, Ty Bru has become a foundational figure in his community, mentoring others while building his own legacy.
The new track brings together fellow indie trailblazer Ed E. Ruger and Canadian lyricist Merkules. “Self Employed” feels like a genuine celebration of the grind that defines an independent artist’s life. It captures the struggle and the eventual success that comes from years of hard work.
The song has a haunting, soulful melody layered over a classic boom-bap beat, giving it a timeless hip-hop feel. The verses are filled with real-life experience. The trio trade stories about their journey from recording in bedrooms to performing on stages across the world. The hook captures the song’s spirit perfectly, ringing out like a personal mission statement:
“Paying dues already at the 1st of the month… self-employed with my boys so we work when we want.”
Ty kicks off the track, setting the tone with that memorable hook and bars that detail his own story of building an empire from the ground up with his crew. “Self Employed” is the result of twenty years of sacrifice and self-reliance. It was clearly made by artists who have remained true to their sound and the culture that shaped them.
The idea for the song was sparked by the recent 20 YEARS OF MTTS festival, a four-day celebration Ty hosted at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro. The event got him thinking about his long history with Ed E. Ruger and their shared independent spirit. After a great show with Ruger in Greensboro, Ty decided to bring Merkules on board, and the powerful collaboration was born.
“Self Employed” is just the beginning. Ty and his team have 15 new songs ready to go and plan to drop a new one every Monday for the rest of 2025. The next single, “Put It On The Set,” is already out. It’s a hard-hitting, high-energy track that demands a listen.
The track has already gained nearly 2,000 streams on Spotify in its first few days, and the buzz is building. The response shows how Ty Bru’s dedication continues to resonate with fans of authentic hip-hop.
Support true independent artistry by purchasing “Self Employed” and more on Bandcamp.
Or stream the track now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and all major digital platforms.
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