Tyshawn Johnson AKA Fly Ty: From New York Roots to Atlanta's A&R Scene

Tyshawn Johnson, known in the industry as Fly Ty, didn't have to search far to find his calling. Growing up in New York, hip hop wasn't just music playing in the background — it was woven into everything around him. That immersion made the transition into the industry feel less like a career choice and more like a natural next step, one that eventually carried him from a fan of the culture to a driving force behind it. Today, Fly Ty serves as V.P. of A&R at Epic Records while also running his own label, Against Da Grain Ent. It's a dual role that keeps him plugged into both major-label operations and grassroots artist development, giving him a hand in shaping careers from the ground up. His motivation, though, traces back to something far more personal than the music business. Fly Ty has said his children are his biggest inspiration — growing up without his own father in his life, he made a vow that if he was ever blessed with kids, he'd be everything his father wasn't. That commitment to breaking cycles shows up in how he talks about his work and his purpose. Right now, Fly Ty's attention is on a stacked release calendar. He's anticipating new albums from Future and 21 Savage, and he's especially excited about 2 Rare, an artist he recently signed who he believes is "about to shock the world," as he put it. Fans can also look out for a new album from @1skiog dropping 9/25, upcoming singles from 2 Rare, and a forthcoming project from Jamie Ray. Beyond the releases, Fly Ty hopes people take away a simple message from his work: don't let your worst moment define you. As he puts it, belief is the first step toward achievement — a philosophy that seems to guide both his business decisions and the artists he chooses to invest in.