Tyga has started a new chapter in his music career with a brand-new identity after more than 15 years in rap. The rapper has moved away from the sound that made him famous and introduced fans to $TARFACE. The project features ’80s-style synth-pop music and cinematic storytelling. He states that his new persona gave him the freedom to create without boundaries.
Tyga says the $TARFACE persona opened the door to a completely new creative direction
Tyga talked about the project in an interview with PEOPLE. He explained that he had made $TARFACE as an entirely different artist rather than altering his existing image. “I just feel like there’s no rules anymore,” he told the outlet. He added, “You have to just be okay with taking risks and doing things that you aren’t used to doing and get different results.”
The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson, said his late mother inspired the project. In 2025, his mother, Pasionaye Nicole Nguyen, passed away at the age of 53. Tyga told PEOPLE that they shared a love for ’80s music, movies, and culture. “Honestly, it was really just inspired by my mom,” he said.
Tyga also revealed that the concept came to him from another creative project. He wrote and filmed an ’80s movie called Baby, You’re a Star last year. He said the $TARFACE character later grew into its own project. Tyga also recorded with old recording equipment rather than modern plug-ins to give the music a warm ’80s style.
Tyga said he studied albums like Purple Rain and Off the Wall while making the record. He also watched Scarface daily in the studio as it helped shape the story of the album. He told PEOPLE that he wanted to tell the story of Scarface and Elvira’s love in his own way. Although he knows some fans may not like the change, Tyga said he feels connected to the music and plans to build the $TARFACE world through videos and pop-up shows in New York and Los Angeles.
TELL US – CAN TYGA’S $TARFACE PERSONA OPEN A SUCCESSFUL NEW CHAPTER AFTER 15 YEARS IN RAP?
