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Family Bidness Podcast Crew
We interview artists and creators to give them a platform to speak on their journey, who they are, and give some insight/knowledge into whatever field they’re a part of.
Family Bidness Podcast Crew
Loyalty
There's something magnetic about an artist who refuses to compromise. Meet Loyalty - a Chicago R&B vocalist whose journey from the projects of Cabrini Green to the stages and studios of the Windy City reveals what genuine musical dedication looks like in an age where authenticity is increasingly rare.
From his first childhood performance singing Boyz II Men at the Chicago Hilton to transforming a $7 investment in blank CDs into a street-hustling empire, Loyalty shares the unfiltered story of building a career one fan at a time. While everyone around him gravitated toward rap, he remained steadfast in his commitment to soul-stirring R&B, becoming the go-to hook singer for countless Chicago artists while developing his own distinctive sound.
The conversation explores how Loyalty's natural talent for melody often emerged spontaneously during studio sessions - humming hooks that would eventually become centerpieces of songs. We dive into the creation of his breakthrough track "Blazer," which began as a humorous studio exchange before evolving into a club favorite. Loyalty also shares vocal maintenance secrets (avoid dairy!), memories of celebrity encounters on Michigan Avenue, and his experience transitioning from group member to solo artist.
What resonates most is Loyalty's seemingly paradoxical combination of unwavering artistic principles and entrepreneurial adaptability. As he prepares to release his first solo EP, he offers powerful insights for any creative person navigating today's music landscape: stay true to your voice, maintain relationships that matter, and remember that sometimes the most direct path to your audience is simply showing up where they are.
Follow Loyalty's journey on Instagram @rnb_loyalty and listen to "Blazer" available now on all platforms. His debut EP drops soon.
We're going to get this thing going. You know what I'm saying? I'm DJ Trouble Kid. I'm here with Marquette Wizard.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, we here.
SPEAKER_02:We here. You know what I'm saying? Wizard, what we doing, man? Talk to us. Tell the people who we with, man.
SPEAKER_00:Hey, yo. We got Unk in the building, man. We got the R&B artist that is going to be around Chicago, man. You're going to hear from him, bro. Amazing music, man. An amazing individual as well, man. We was talking. We had a conversation before we started and stuff like that. Everything, you know, the vibe is amazing, you know, and he's got a lot of gems to share. Man, we got loyalty in the building, man. Yes, yes. Loyalty in the building without the children. Yeah. The right way, the right way. Mr. R&B. Mr. R&B in the fucking building, man. So just to start out, man, tell us a little bit about yourself, man. What part of the city are you from? Like, where'd you grow up? Stuff like that. Born and raised in Cabrini-Green. You know, of course, everybody say the struggle is real when you're in front of projects, but born and raised in Cabrini, now reside on the south side of Chicago, low end. You know, just an independent artist, just been grinding for so long. You go check that video out on YouTube. I'm a great father, a man of God. Amen. You know, and... I just believe if you don't grind, you don't shine. So that's the way I go about it.
SPEAKER_02:And I can attest to that. Man, I had a very wonderful first interaction. You know what I'm saying? And for the people that are listening, we're going to take y'all back for a second, man. One day... I was about 17, 18 years old working my little internship. We ain't got to shout out the company. You know what I'm saying? But we will shout out the program. Shout out to Ace Mentor Program because they did position me for some amazing opportunities. But one day I'm just downtown moseying my way through with my coworkers. We just ate lunch. And I just see these gentlemen on the side of Michigan Ave selling some music. And something about it intrigued me. And I think it was the approach. I really think it was the approach. I'm like, I feel intrigued about it. But it was something I wanted to do, man. It was the Famous Stranger project from Pauly the Great. You know what I'm saying? Y'all was there selling them joints, man. And what was dope about it, it was like one was selling one CD and you was selling the other. It was like you buy one CD and the other one came around like, hey, man, I got this one, man. And it was like how fast the deal came. I'm like, I can't refuse this. They
SPEAKER_00:give you an offer you can't
SPEAKER_02:refuse. Yeah, they gave me one of them Madison. For my people that's in Chicago, they're They gave me one of them Madison deals, man. Y'all know what I'm talking about. If you know, you know. If you know, you know. If you wrote down Madison and Pulaski, you know what I'm talking about. You know what I mean? They gave the kid one of them deals. I said, man, I can't refuse this. And then, man, you know, we truly been locked in since because I realized, you know, we had a mutual acquaintance. We're going to talk about that a little later on. But what led to this journey of you becoming an R&B singer?
SPEAKER_00:Man, um... Starting in high school, I was singing, doing talent shows and stuff like that. But I was always singing. I've been singing since I was seven years old. My first show was at the Chicago Hilton. My stepfather, he was working at the Chicago Hilton. They had something like a banquet going on or whatever. It was a big event. The first song was Boyz II Men. I was young, but you know, when you young, You sound good, but you don't know the words. And, you know, the crowd, they be like, sing, boy. So, it's like, okay, after that, I'm like, I got to take this serious. You know what I'm saying? They want you to go in. Exactly. They want me to
SPEAKER_02:go in. They want you to take your time. You
SPEAKER_00:good. Exactly. Right, right. They take your time. I mean, right, right. If you hear that, sing, boy, that means, hey, you're going all the way. So, after that, like I say, it was from seventh grade and then grammar school. Singing to females, of course. They want me to sing Sweet Lady by Tyree. That was my favorite song. That joint. Then led to high school. I was doing talent shows. So I'm like, man, either I'm going to play basketball or I'm going to do some music. I chose music. And since then, I've just been singing and singing and singing. After high school, I found a way like, man, okay, if I ain't getting paid for this music right now, how am I going to get some money? Shout out to my man, Bulletin, Cash, you know, MTG, Meet the Grinders. We actually went to this store called IQ Store. I took a leap to faith, quit my nine to five and everything. I said, look, they like, baby, go downtown and sell some music. I'm like, we can't sell no CDs, bro. Ain't nobody got CD players. I was thinking like everybody else thinking nowadays. I had a little 20 pack. I paid about like$7 for the 20 pack of CDs. Just wrote my autograph on it, put it in a little plastic, bagged it up like it was, you know, some drugs or whatever. Go downtown, I probably, I sold all 20, but I came home with like$300 off$7. I'm like, did I make$200,$300 off$7? Something just fucking clicked right after that. It's just like, this is better than having a nine to five, shit. Jackpot, you know what I'm saying? This is like a goldmine. I said, you know what? And I've been through hell doing it, like going to jail, police beat me up, like all type of shit. I've been through it all, bro, like. But you'll never believe it until you see it. But you actually witnessed it. One question that I do have, because we were talking about this hustle, this drive. You had to get out there and you had to push your shit off. What inspired that hustle to keep going? What inspired you? What motivated you to keep going throughout these years as you've been building? Oh, man. Like I said, I made my first amount. I just kept going because I figured I could pay my bills off this. That was like the catalyst. Exactly, yeah. And I was doing the math. People that have nine to fives don't even make this much every two weeks. And I'm making a two-week check in two to three days. Right, like afternoon or some shit. So it's like re-up, stretch it, re-up, stretch it every day.
SPEAKER_02:Same concept.
SPEAKER_00:But I had the mindset to say, if I got a hundred pack of CDs in my backpack, I'm not going home until they're gone. That was my everyday mindset. That's a goal, yeah. And I was just pushing just like that. And it made me just stay strong. It's my passion. You got to love doing this. Because you get a million no's and a million yes's.
UNKNOWN:Right.
SPEAKER_00:That's the mindset you got to have. But my rebuttal game is crazy. Like, there's no telling me no. That's a fact. I've witnessed it. And you got
SPEAKER_02:to have... I've witnessed it in person.
SPEAKER_00:You got to have a hell of a mouthpiece to do what I'm doing. And your appearance. Like, you got to dress, look appropriate. Like, I'm in the shop every other week. I make sure I'm crispy-lined and everything, fresh gear, because they pay you what you look like. If you look like a bum, you're going to get a... If you look like a bum, you're going to get a... Bomb change, you know what I'm
SPEAKER_02:saying? Let me ask you this, right? Because you look a lot like... I'm doing the math as I'm sitting here looking at you, and I'm sitting back like, black don't crack. Because I'm sitting back like, he's talking about a sweet lady. I'm just sitting back doing the math. We ain't going to throw no age out there. We ain't going to do none of that. But let me ask you this, right? When did you realize that... This is what you really was going to do. Not just the hustle of it, of selling it, but also the singing, both. When did you realize that this is my turning point? This is what I'm
SPEAKER_00:going to do? Man. First of all, Dylan was singing this in Breath of Fresh air. Music is Everything. It changed people's lives. That's when I realized, when somebody inboxed me one day like, bro, it was a fan of mine. Shout out to B Crop now. They from Valpo, Indiana. Met them years ago. To this day, I met them when they probably like 12, 15 years old. They 21. His mother bought my album, gave it to her son. He inboxed me like, bro, this music is fire. You guys like, I never thought it was going to sound like this. So people always think I don't want to hear that BS. The new age rap. No, I ain't knocking it. You know what I'm saying? But we bring music with substance. That's a big difference. That's a fact. You know, so then with me singing, it's a big deal. Everybody think I'm a rapper when they see me at first. So when I start, once I open my mouth and start singing, people be looking like, oh shit. This guy really can sing. And what made me keep going? I signed my first titty. I'm going to keep it real with you. I was standing outside of Subway on Michigan Avenue. This is crazy. It was crazy, bro. It's real talk. That's real, though. This is real. This is real. This is real shit. I wish somebody would have recorded this at that moment. But a girl came out of Subway. I've sung to her first. You know what I'm saying? She's like, I got to go on Subway and get some change. So she came back out. I'm like, you know what? I'm like, okay. Signed that John. The man that you came out. Yeah, I signed your titty. That go a titty. I'm going to
SPEAKER_02:sign
SPEAKER_00:that titty. At the same time, you know, I meet a lot of celebrities doing this stuff. Like, you never know who you're running to. I done met Kim, the guy. I can't stop loving you. Wow. First of all, he walked past me. I said, Kim, man, I love your music. He said, you do sing one of my songs. What? He came back. You look like challenge accepted. That's easy. I'm from Chicago, bro. We do this here. He had a show in Chicago. So he came back, though. It was cold as hell outside. We out there. I got a scarf on. Probably had a
SPEAKER_02:peli coat. You had a peli coat? Of
SPEAKER_00:course.
SPEAKER_02:I'm scarred with a peli coat. That's a real R&B Chicago nigga.
SPEAKER_00:You see what I'm saying? He got the scarf with the peli. He put me on his page, bro. That was a blessing. He grabbed his phone. And selfie-wise, he hit a few notes on your song. He told me to sing my song. So I hit him with a Buick. He was like, oh, you nice, putting me on his page. My followers went up to the roof that night.
SPEAKER_02:Let me also ask you this, though. Because you also look wise, right? Look... Because to be an R&B artist, to be a celebrity, you have to look the part.
SPEAKER_01:And
SPEAKER_02:it goes beyond fashion. I think it goes just health. How have you been able to maintain your health over these years? Because when I tell you, Black Don't Crack, you look the same as when I met you. And I'm just like, what's the secret?
SPEAKER_00:What's the secret? Music is a stretch relief. Walking. Walking is a good exercise, you know, good for your brain. At first when I was grand, I was just walking like from Roosevelt. I would just walk around, random people, hand in hand. But that was actually helping me lose weight at the same time, sweating and whatever. Grinding, sweating, talking, and walk from here to Oak Street. Me and all types of celebrities, whatever. So yeah. Of course, drink a lot of water. And I still work out a little bit. I play basketball. That's why I do a little couple of drills when I ain't doing music. So, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Real quick, real quick, real quick. We in the gold, man, with it. So, I got to shout out to Popo. Popo! Popo! Come back, come back, come back, come back real quick. Come back real quick. You know, this the man of the house. You know what I'm saying? This is the creator. You know what I'm saying? You know, I just wanted to have a moment where we introduce Pops. Pops, me loyalty, you know what I'm saying? I met Loyalty when I was in high school. I was working downtown at ACOM. He was selling CDs. When I bought the CD, listened to one of the tracks on there, watched the video, realized he knew Uncle Doe, who you know as... Marker. So, you know what I'm saying? I definitely wanted to make sure y'all got acquainted. But even more so, this is your first time down here while we pod. So I just wanted to stop, create this moment so you can see it going down. Because Pops is a huge fan of Drake Champs. He loves Drake Champs. I watched that too, yeah. So... Get a percentage on my light bill, too. I got y'all, man. Hey, man. I got y'all, man. Look. Hey, man. He looking around like, man, I see lights, laptops. Microphones. Head for action. I say, okay. Taking it out. Going to take it out of my allowance. Nah, we going to make sure Pop's situated, man. Shout out to Poppo, man. Poppo. That's the king, man. He the king on the block. He the king of the house. King of the world, man. Rob Markman, salute. You know what I'm saying? The one and only Papo. But I wanted to ask, because we just spoke on the health topic, right? You say taking walks, drinking a lot of water, right? You touched on a few other things, playing basketball, remaining physically fit, right? What are some of the things you do to maintain a voice? I mean... Because I know some people... Oh, yeah, we out drinking. Shout out to... As a matter of fact, we're not going to give them no shout out. They ain't paying us. They ain't paying us. We need a sponsor first. I had to nip that shit in the bud real quick. I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. There, bud. Whoa. Thank God
SPEAKER_00:for T.
SPEAKER_02:Thank God for T. We just going to leave that there, right? We're going to leave that there. So T, I'm assuming, is one of the methods to maintain in the boys, but... Walk us through, because I'm a rapping DJ, bro. Outside of that, you know what I'm saying? I don't know the vocal training, so to speak. So can you walk us through, for those who may not know what that looks like?
SPEAKER_00:Okay. First of all, most singers don't supposed to eat dairy products. Oh, damn. Okay. You know what I'm saying? I got to get that out. Dairy products, you know. It's like the mucus, no? Yeah, the mucus. Yeah, exactly. Wait, wait, wait.
SPEAKER_02:I got to quit. How y'all eat mac and cheese for Thanksgiving then? What y'all... You got to cheat one day. Oh,
SPEAKER_00:okay, okay. Right, right. Back to the beat. Back to the beat. I can't turn down mom's macaroni, that Big Mac. Bro, come on. Come on. We told her to make two pans. Oh, man. She would have made three. Got the breadcrumbs on top of the toast. Take it home, you know what I'm saying? Right, she's going home with me. But yeah, um... My choir director, when I started, I was singing in church too. Of course, you know, most singers come from church or whatever. So I have a church background. He used to tell us to do the me, me, my, mo, moo, all that. Me, me, my, mo, moo. Do that a lot of times. Sometimes you just yell, you know, singing in the shower, stuff like that, you know. Do warm-ups and stuff. Yeah, warm-ups and stuff. Yeah, yeah. The me, me, my, mo, moo is part of the warm-ups. You know what I'm saying? And, um... Drink lukewarm water, not cold water. You know, that helps. You said like tea and like other things. Yeah, tea, water. Like I say, lay off on the dairy products and stuff like that and just do your vocal warm-ups. Yeah. And you have to sing from your diaphragm. Your singing comes from your diaphragm. My mother used to tell me, I sound like I was singing through my nose. I was like, what are you saying? What that mean? You know what I'm saying? But I understand because my quadrant is like, if it don't feel good, it ain't good. And I understood what she mean about it. So singing from your diaphragm, your voice projects even more. So would you say it's kind of like an experience of just learning your body a little bit more? Like kind of how certain things function within that maybe? Another thing I did want to ask you about, we did bring up Doe, so can you speak more on your relationship with him? Like where did y'all connect and how did that relationship get started? Man, I met Doe Boy through Poli. They all met, it's funny how we met, it's crazy, because we was with this guy back then with a group, I was with a group called Guap Getters, or whatever. It was two guys that was rapping, and I was the singer. So we ended up meeting with this guy named Jason at his house, we had a little background party or whatever. I walked up the podium like I knew him for 20 years. What's up, bro? And the vibe was just like... Like right away. Right away, you know, so we kicking it with the band. Doughboy had a video shoot, No More Mr. Nice Guy. When I said it was cold outside and the man ain't had no shirt on. Yo. I said, bro, you can't be serious. Like, bro, let me get something that you drinking, bro. You know what I'm saying? But yeah, that video shoot was No More Mr. Nice Guy. That's when I met Doughboy. Nice. And then, like I said, it's like everybody I meet, It be like, the energy be already there. Like, man, you a cool guy. You know what I'm saying? Are you singing? Now I need you on this hook. But everybody don't think I sing. I got the rapping appearance when you first meet me. You know what I'm saying? The only time I get on the stage, I dress a little casual, you know, depending on what type of event it is. But yeah, I met him through his first video shoot. And he was like, man, you sing? I need you on the hook. That's what everybody say. Every time I meet somebody and I tell them I sing, oh, I need you on the hook. We ain't got too many singers. Everybody rapping.
SPEAKER_02:And that's real because my introduction to you sonically was through the hooks. And that brings me to my next question. How did you stick to your guns in the midst of being around all the hip-hop and rap artists you were around? Because you are one of many. I can't even say many. You were one of few... R&B artists, like, amongst the circle, for real. You know what I'm saying? Like, that don't waver. Right. You see what I'm saying? Because we know a few guys that, you know, that can do it all, that can jump in all these different pockets. But you like, you're like, nah, this is what I do. Right. This right here. And when I say this, like, and I don't, and it's not to even say that dance is a gimmick, right? But what made you stick to your guns so far in this
SPEAKER_00:journey? Man, I'm like, I'm going to stay in my lane. Because, like I say, everybody rapping. I can rap, but I'm like, I'm not going to rap. Singing, it's like, singing just takes a lot to sing. Because it's more of a feeling to it. You know what I'm saying? Rappers just be, like you're talking, you're just putting words together. It's like a rhythm. It's a flow, but it's like, yeah. But singing, you got to know when to breathe. You got to know, you know, inhale, exhale, all that. You got to know how to control the vocals. You say it's like a more delicate process. Yeah, it is. It takes a lot to sing. That's why every time I meet people, I wish I knew how to sing. I'd be singing every girl I walk up to. I'd be like, no you won't. That'd be weird. Then you'd just be tired. Exactly. You're
SPEAKER_02:probably going to strain your voice. First and foremost, it's a lot of what happened.
SPEAKER_00:Right, exactly. Everyone you walk up to on the street. They
SPEAKER_02:outnumber us.
SPEAKER_00:So what it was, I'm like, I'm going to stay in my lane. Every time I'm around rappers, they'll play some music, like an instrumental or whatever, and I just slowly find my way in. Because I'll be on the side
SPEAKER_01:like...
SPEAKER_00:They like, do that again. They be low-key listening like, oh, he can sing. I ain't even got to let people know. I just start humming that to myself like... That note right there could fit in this part. You know what? Write me an eight. Write me a Walter Bam. Eight bars or whatever you want to fit in here. And I just found my way. That's how I got on most of their albums. That's how I got on most of their albums. They don't even ask me. Dope boy be recording the whole section. I'm over there. Like the song we got now, I found my way on that one, just harmonizing. He like, Ello, I need you on the hook. I heard you. Definition of a smooth operator. Yeah, yeah. Holy shit. That's how I make all they, got on all they mixtapes. Just being around them and just singing to myself. But I'm singing to the beat and they like, we need that. You know what I'm
SPEAKER_02:saying? I'm going to say this right, because I think that's very interesting. Because it's almost kind of the opposite for us in the hip-hop and rap arena. It's almost like if you're in the studio, you're not getting on the shit unless your shit is the shit. You see what I'm saying? Nigga, you could be in the background rapping your ass off. Nigga be like, nah, we don't need that. Nah, fam. That shit don't fit. You better read
SPEAKER_00:the
SPEAKER_02:rumor. And I think also, too, man, what makes that special is that I think that balance is necessary. I think that shit is very necessary. And I think that's what's also separated the music that's come from y'all from what came from everybody else. Because hip-hop went through a period recently, and it's still going through it. It's always going through it, if we're being honest. It's resurgence of some sort. everybody's trying to do everything. I even have records where I'm like, I'm a pussy. Turn my tone on, baby. Get my verb right. It's different. It's nothing like having the voice. It's nothing like having that voice, man. I just want to say salute to you because you've stuck to your guns this journey, man. Not only that, man, but you came back with a record. Pulled up on me with a record. Not
SPEAKER_01:just any
SPEAKER_02:record. Not just any record, right? So I just want to give y'all some insight. I'm about another story time with DJ Trouble Kid. You know, this is to flash forward, right? I'm now an adult, man. You know, I'm DJing. I'm at the W Hideaway Lounge. Shout out Keeba. You know what I mean? Shout out the whole Weekend crew. Y'all know what we do up there. I used to send out these flood text messages with the flyers, the details. And one particular Saturday, I'm just like, hey, I'm coming through. Coming through. And he did just that. And he didn't walk in with a crowd or any of that. He literally just pulled up by himself. You know what I'm saying? Got himself a drink. And while I'm DJing, I just get an airdrop notification. Yeah. And I knew who it was from. I just knew who it was from. And I was like, you know something? I don't normally do this, but I know who it's from. And what was the beautiful part about it was, mind you, I'm mid-bar, mid-DJ set. So I'm just playing this shit. Like... I said, he in the building, why not? I never heard the song before. That shit couldn't have been it. It could have been an unmastered. I'm playing it, though, because who it is. Man, look. Moments later, this man was performing a damn record for the second time in the same night by popular demand. I need you to talk to me about this Blazer record, man. Where did that come from? What inspired
SPEAKER_00:this record, man? It's funny you ask that question. I'm the guy that's around the groups, around the rappers. When there's negative energy, I try to build it. Make everybody laugh. I'm silly. I always have my silly time with the guy that makes people laugh. So we was just in the studio. Shout out to KD Yonkaki. He mixed and mastered
SPEAKER_02:it. Musical genius. Yeah, musical genius.
SPEAKER_00:So the whole gang was there, me, Doughboy, Poli, you know, Katie. You know, I'm joking around. I'm like, man, bro, one day I'm going to fuck a chick in my blazer. They like, what did you just say? I said, I'm going to have my Timberlands on with the long socks, and I'm going to put my blazer on, and I'm going to have sex in my blazer with a chick, and she's going to have her shit on, too. So Pony started laughing. He's like, you always saying silly shit. Well, y'all are as funny as hell. They down laughing. Everybody down laughing. I said, you know what? I got a beat. Put this beat on. So I'm like, okay. KD's like, you finna make a song about fucking chicken? I said, yeah, I finna make a song about fucking in the blazer. KD put the beat on. I'm just... I kept saying, blazer... But I wouldn't put nothing to it. I just kept saying, like, damn, I'm stuck. So KD like, KD like, fuck it, bro. Don't write. Because when you write, you're thinking about it too long. He said, just come here, sit down. I sit down and I'm just punching in. And this shit came like that. So we sitting there. So KD listening to this, he ain't got it playing out loud. KD like, bro, this is a fucking hit record. And Charlie was like, this is his record. That's my favorite song already. I'm like, what?
SPEAKER_02:But let me break this down for y'all too, right? Because a lot of people don't know what those sessions be like. First and foremost, bring your damn lungs. Yeah. And bring an extra one if you got it. Because they will smoke your ass under the table. Yes, they will. And if you can't smoke, I pray you know how to roll some weed. What? And if you don't, you will learn. You got to do something. You're going to learn, bro. You're going to learn. You got to know because that's really the energy, bro. You have to do something. It's no just sitting around. You got to add to the vibe some way, some how. Everybody doing something. Even if you sit and playing a video game and you relaxing yourself, that's really how these sessions go. Everybody has to add to the vibe and maintain a vibe, right? Yeah. We also know how funny these sessions could be because the jokes that are cracked. Because everybody's a fucking comic. Y'all got to realize how creative we have to be to make the music. So in the process of making this shit, we be cracking fucking jokes. But like you say, that's how these records come about sometimes. But look, you want to know how I knew it was a hit? And I really didn't have a concern once it was played. And those who've been working with Katie Yonkaki will vouch for this. Your shit is not a hit if you do not have musical genius. If that tag is not on your record, if you don't hit that shit on your record, keep swinging, my brother. But once I heard that, I'm like, at the beginning, that was the first thing I heard I say, ah, shit. Katie went wrong, brother. How has it felt for you to see how this track has been able to affect people in real time. Because you actually out here, you working the DJs right now. You really out here working this record, you know what I mean? And really getting in front of the people and pushing it. And again, that's why I didn't have a problem playing the record as a DJ, because I'm just sitting back like, yo, Unk really respects the process. You know what I'm saying? Really respecting the process, getting before the DJ. A lot of people think they could just skip us, which I respect because the way social media is, the way resources are, it's like everybody could do everything, so I get it. But you're actually taking the time to pull up and connect and build relationships and perform and all these things. So how has it been for you to see how this record has performed and, you know, How has it felt for you as an artist to see how your record is touching people in real
SPEAKER_00:time? It's truly a blessing because, like you say, how I brought the track to you, I did that one day at Club Hugh. Random. Walk in there, it was a nice crowd. Because
SPEAKER_02:Hugh
SPEAKER_00:be bustin'. Yeah, Hugh be bustin'. If you know, you
SPEAKER_02:know. Hugh be bustin'.
SPEAKER_00:My man, Mal Howes on the spinners. Another great supporter. When he met me the first time I performed... downtown somewhere, he was like, oh, you got it. Give you respect for nothing. Because I don't just sing, I entertain you. You know what I'm saying? Anybody can just stand there and sing at the microphone. But the people want to be entertained with their money. But yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Point and reach.
SPEAKER_00:All that. I'm going to give you eye contact. You're going to feel me when I'm singing to you. Everything but dancing. Exactly. I could do that, but it's certain songs you got to, every song you can't get your Chris Brown on. That's a fact. But I say, my house was down. He like, L.O. in the building. Don't nobody know who L.O. is right now. Shout out to my man L.O. I'm just like, you know, humming at the bar, sipping. He like, come
SPEAKER_02:here.
SPEAKER_00:He like, come here. I know you. Send me some music. You know, I sent her the blazer. He like, I got you. You don't want to tell people who are there because they get hating on you. You know how that goes. I don't want to vibe. I said, just play it whenever you're ready, when it's perfect timing. He's playing all R&B joints. He mixed that joint in so smooth. So I'm just vibing. I'm vibing. I'm looking around. Females like, oh shit, they dancing on each other. I'm like, yeah. I'm sitting there by his face expression. And that's the one. He brought it right back.
SPEAKER_02:He
SPEAKER_00:still had to bring that back.
SPEAKER_02:And
SPEAKER_00:after that, he's like, man, that's a hit. That's unreleased. That song is actually going on my album.
SPEAKER_02:I gotta say this, man. I just respect it. I just respect the hustle, the process, man, because again, like, You been doing this shit for some time, and you still pushing forward. You still going. You still getting out here. I remember another day in the summer, I'm just casually going to the beach. I had the purple Vs on me. If you know, you know. But I had copped some snacks before I got to the beach. And I'm just like, man, I seen Unk on the side. I say, man, hey, man, grab some of these Pringles, man. You know what I'm saying? What you need, man. Get what you want, man. Because I see you out here grinding, man. And it's like, you just got to add to it instead of trying to take it away. How soon will it be before... We get this album. Because you just snuck something in that I didn't even know about. You just said, that's going on my album. Yeah, yeah. So how soon before we see you out here with your album?
SPEAKER_00:I'm going to drop it probably, what? Top of the year. Top
SPEAKER_02:of the,
SPEAKER_00:oof. Top of the year. Prime time. Soon when that song come out.
SPEAKER_02:Top of the year. So by the time y'all will probably be listening, by the time y'all be listening to this, the people can expect... some new music from
SPEAKER_00:you on all DSPs. I want to do some real promo for this joint. When I say you're going to see me, you're going to see loyalty everywhere. This album, I cried on some songs on this album. You're going to really feel me on this joint. How many songs you got on the album? It's actually an EP. Oh, okay, okay. Because everybody's attention span is not... You know what I'm saying? It's not what it used to be. So you got to give them... Six to eight songs, bam. R&B, straight me. I probably have a couple of features, you guys. Right, right. Do you have
SPEAKER_02:a title for it
SPEAKER_00:yet? Nope.
SPEAKER_02:All right, so we still... So we getting... Hey, man, we getting some fresh, some
SPEAKER_00:fresh, you know what I'm saying? Fresh heat, fresh heat.
SPEAKER_02:Fresh off the
SPEAKER_00:press, baby. We getting some new news. People telling me I should just put my name on it, just instead of saying Loyacy, just put me as a gentleman. I'm like, I can go many ways with it, but I want this... Actually, this is going to be the one. Because I've been doing so many features. Like I said, I'm on everybody's album. Everybody's like, man, we're waiting on you. We want to hear all loyalty. I got you. Because every song, every feature I'm on, people are running that back. Like, he makes this song. He makes this song. Like I said, I was with a group at first. I had to go solo. Because, you know, stuff don't start.
UNKNOWN:Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:So I know we spoke about the group, but how long were you in the group for? Man, for some years. Like I said, it was called the Guap Guitars. I had an album called, we had a mixtape called No Chaser and 100 Proof. And after them two joined, we done sold over 100,000 copies of those. That's big fact. State to state, hand to hand. Beautiful. Independently. Independently. Yes. We could go to the record labels like, hey, I sold a million copies. It's a different kind of grind. Yeah, exactly. Ten toes down without a frown. But yeah, I've been in the group for years. I was with that group probably about five years straight. I started seeing when we started doing good shows and the crowd reaction, they like, no, bro, you got to go solo. I'm like, I'm trying to be loyal, you know what I'm saying, to the squad. No pun intended. Exactly, no pun intended. I'm trying to be loyal. My name is Loyalty, so I'm going to stay loyal, you know what I'm saying? So I got to stick with it. So, you know, sometimes when you branch off, more blessings come, you know? And when I went solo, it's been lovely. So speaking on being in a group and like, you know, just being around people and like, you know, navigating that, like, what can you say for an up and coming R&B artist? Like, what kind of advice could you give them or like how to navigate this or, you know, just any kind of tips that you can share? Man, I would say... I always keep a backup plan. You never know when something goes sideways. You know what I'm saying? Most groups don't make it all survive a long time. It ain't like we Boyz II Men. We all singing on the same accord. Like I said, you always got to have a backup plan. Stay focused. You know what I'm saying? Grind. You got to be that guy that outgrind everybody. I'm a singer. They think most rappers are going to be outside selling albums hand-in-hand. I'm going to say I did. I'm telling you, I done sold so many albums, it's crazy. It's a fact. Like I said, my bro's done... I was selling my bro's... My face not even on the album. And I'm just selling them joints. It's me. Okay.
SPEAKER_02:Going right in their pocket. I'm telling y'all, too. The mouthpiece, this man... Y'all got to realize, this is the Miyagi of... like hand-to-hand sales. It's not, you got to see it in person. Like it's literally a sight to see because you sitting back like,
SPEAKER_00:how does he, how's he selling that?
SPEAKER_02:And it's like, you literally like the model for, cause we was down in Nashville on Broadway. You dig what I'm saying? And Doe took me back. You know, he took me back, and he was like, nah, man, this is where me and L.O. went. You know what I'm saying? And he was showing me the way, because that was the first time I had done that in years. Actually, that was the first time I showed CDs, because I normally would just, man, can you just take it, listen to it? So this is the first time I actually was out there, and then, man, something just came over me. It was like, yo, energy traveled down. I summoned my inner loyalty, so to You know what I'm saying? And we just got to moving them things, man. And like you said, it was just that mentality of like, this shit got to stay here. Meaning like, we're not trying to go home with anything. You know what I'm saying? But what I could also say too is we technically failed with that. But it was a lesson in that. Right? Because... we were able to sell. We made some sales, right? So we were successful in making and doing that, right? But it was just the reality that you have to have a game plan. Like you say, you have to have a strategy and a game plan. And I think one of the things we learned was that we could do things on the fly, but it's that much better when you got the game plan already locked in. Because I'm telling you, we literally just hit the road. We didn't know what hotel we was about to stay at. We literally, after work, Uncle's like, I'm coming to grab you. And that was that. Right. You know what I'm saying?
SPEAKER_00:Sometimes you got to do it that way, though. Facts. You just got to do it. He only did... Let me cut you off. He only did that because I took him down there for his first time. Facts. He likes it.
SPEAKER_02:And he told me about that.
SPEAKER_00:He told me about it. I said, no, boy. It's close to Christmas. It's the last couple of years ago. I said, look. First of all, he didn't believe me. I told him, I said, bro, give me 50 CDs. I'm going to bring you$100 back. He looked at me like I was crazy. I said, bro, I'm dead serious. He said, bro, you're going to really bring me$100? I said, yeah, bro, you're my man. I love you. I love you and your kids. So whatever I give you, give it to the kids or whatever you're going to do it. Pay your rent, whatever you got to put into it. He's like, you know what? I'm going to pay him up for you. Gave me a 50-pack. I did this shit last week for him. Right. He said, you ain't never finished anything. I went Saturday. It was a
SPEAKER_02:Saturday. He said, you just pulled up on him. Because man, it was talking about it. He said, it was out the blue. You just hit him like, hey man, I got some bread
SPEAKER_00:for you. He dropped a 50-pack off at my job that Friday. I said, bro, I'm going downtown Saturday. Gonna sell this 50-pack. I'm gonna bring you$100 back. So that's$2 an album. But you know I probably... went across the head. He can't count that part. You know what I'm saying? But yeah. He like,
SPEAKER_02:damn. He did that allegedly. Allegedly. This is allegedly. You know what I'm saying? All this is allegedly. You know what I'm saying? For those that are listening. It's
SPEAKER_00:God's
SPEAKER_02:hands. You know what I'm saying? God's hands. Right. This is God's work. Doing God's work all in the name of Jesus. But let me, I want to ask you this. What do you have to say for yourself Your 10 year, excuse me, we just got interrupted by a notification, excuse me. But what do you have to say to yourself 10 years from now?
SPEAKER_00:Man, 10 years, I should be, I don't say before 10 years, I'm going to be rich soon.
SPEAKER_02:Talk to your 10-year-self. I want you to take this moment and talk to your 10-year-self. This is a moment for you to manifest, and I want you to really take advantage of this opportunity and really put it out there. 10 years from now, what do you have to say to you?
SPEAKER_00:I know my mother going to be in the house by me. That's going to be all of units. Kids going to be well taken care of. I'm definitely going to be rich. Of course, I'm going to hire me a house. And whoever my significant other, we all going to be on the same page. I'm going to be healthy. And I'm just going to keep striving for greatness. And I'm never going to give up on my passion because singing is going to always be in me. So I'm just going to stay independent.
SPEAKER_02:Got to keep God first in everything we do. That has been our time. It has been my absolute pleasure to sit here and just had this conversation and really just break bread with you. You know what I'm saying? This has been long overdue for us. You know what I'm saying? And all the guys, everybody got to come sit down, man. I try to make it my business to have these moments with everybody because first and foremost, man, life is what you make it. I'm not going to say it short. Life is what you make it. And we are blessed to be before one another, not just in the space of music, but in the space of life. And I'm glad that you took time out of your day to come sit with us, parlay with us, and really come through and fuck with us, man. We wish you nothing but the best on this journey. Not only just rolling out this single, but rolling out this EP. You know what I'm saying? By the time this thing is out there, this podcast episode will be out your music will be out. You know what I'm saying? And I'm excited to hear it. I'm excited to see this evolution for you as a man, as an artist, as a father first. You know what I'm saying? Because your kids, everybody's about to go on this journey with you. You know what I'm saying? And it's like, the beauty that we've been able to see through all of this is just to watch the lights that are able to, you know, to watch the seeds kind of grow. Because that's what you're doing. You've planted a lot of seeds, man. And As time progresses, we about to watch them grow, man. And I just look forward to just watching the seeds you've planted grow for you. You know what I mean? Blessings, blessings. So with all that being said, we thank y'all. We love y'all. You know what I'm saying? Please come back. Come back and see us. Come back and see us. You know what I'm saying? Because this ain't going to be the first time. This ain't going to be the last time. This is the first time, but it ain't going to be the last time. And you've made history again. So I say that because you're the first artist that I've ever had perform with me at the W. Hideaway Lounge, right? But you're also the first R&B artist that we've ever had on this podcast. So you've, man, continue to make your history and you continue to write your story. Don't let nobody else write your narrative. It's your story and it's your time and it's your moment. I'm looking forward to watching you live in it and take it on. So do you have any final shout outs before we get out of here? Anybody you want to shout out? Any organizations or your clothing line, whatever.
SPEAKER_00:First of all, I want to say thank God first. Shout out to my beautiful mother. That raised me. Mama. Mama. Right. She got me in a good place where I am now. You know what I'm saying? My family, of course, you know, brothers and sisters. Family. My guys. Pauly D. Gray, Doughboy. The guys. MTG. You know, everybody, man. I just thank all my supporters. Because without y'all, there wouldn't be no loyalty. Like I said, I'm going to continue to grind. I'll go by the motto, if you don't grind, you don't shine. And it's all love units. You can go follow me on Instagram at rnb underscore loyalty. The EP is coming soon. I got a single called Blazer, and that shit is fire. God bless. I can vouch. And just like that, we out.
UNKNOWN:Peace.
