Show & Prove: Madeintyo
Words: Georgette Cline
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Summer issue of of XXL Magazine, on stands now.

Uber has rapper Madeintyo to thank for crafting an unofficial turn-up anthem for their riders.

“Uber Everywhere,” released on the 24-year-old’s You Are Forgiven EP in 2015, has amassed more than 32 million streams on SoundCloud since its debut last August and cracked Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Travi$ Scott jumped on a remix while Dave East, Maino and Uncle Murda each flexed on the beat. Hip-hop and fans alike are feeling Madeintyo’s (pronounced Made in Tokyo) vibe and for good reason. “It’s nothing to take too serious,” he says. “It’s everything to feel good. In 10 seconds if you’re not moving around, it’s not a Tyo record.”

This carefree attitude can be traced back to his skateboarding days as a teen when Madeintyo, born Malcolm Davis, had dreams of joining Pharrell’s Ice Cream skate team. But things changed after Tyo—who spent his high school years in Tokyo because his military pops was stationed there—heard Ludacris’ “Area Codes” and began writing rhymes. Despite his dad’s disapproval, the rhymer ditched college to pursue music. Three years later he recorded the K Swisha-produced “Uber Everywhere.”

Madeintyo attributes some of his early success to popular Miami party promoter, Julieanna “YesJulz” Goddard who took an instant liking to the record and flew the young MC out to the Sunshine State to perform at one of her events in 2015. YesJulz also posted more than a few entertaining clips on her popular Snapchat account of her making Uber drivers play the record while she was getting rides. “I remember finding the song and thinking, Man, this is a hit,” she says. “Tyo made a good song about a growing trend right on time. Everyone loves Uber.”

Now, Madeintyo is on to the next wave after dropping his second EP, You Are Forgiven 2, this past April. He just got 2 Chainz on the “I Want (Remix)” and has a Metro Boomin collaborative project due out later this year—all as an independent artist on Private Club Records, his label with his brother Royce Rizzy. “A lot of labels, a lot of everybody waking up,” Tyo explains of his buzz.

Don’t sleep.

Check out more from XXL’s Summer 2016 issue including our 2015 XXL Freshman year-end report card and Joey Badass, Raury and Dizzy Wright discussing how The Four Agreements changed their life. 

See 50 Fire Hip-Hop Albums You Need to Listen to This Summer

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