Lil Tjay’s Journey from Past 2 Present

It’s many musicians’ dreams to revel in an eight-date European tour and produce music that tells their story the way that they want to tell it, all the while keeping it real. His goals have become his reality for Lil Tjay, who kickstarted his ‘Past 2 Present’ tour at London’s O2 Arena on October 12. The tour marks the fifth anniversary of his debut album, True to Myself: a milestone that doesn’t just celebrate his music, but reflects on his evolution as an artist.

The existence of a fifth anniversary is significant for anyone, but in this case, it’s a reminder of Lil Tjay’s devotion to his career and sound. His debut album, released in October 2019, debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 and featured names like Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Lil Wayne.

Alongside special guests Key Glock and RealestK, Lil Tjay is taking his fans on a trip down memory lane, showcasing all the tracks that define him as the multi-platinum recording artist that he is today. “The ‘Past 2 Present’ tour should be like a book, from chapter one to the last chapter,” he continues, “I want people that have been locked in with me to feel that rollercoaster ride and be able to hear every song from whichever part of my career they tapped in at and just have fun.” Teasing many surprise on-stage collaborations during the tour, Lil Tjay assures that there will be multiple UK artists featuring in his performances; the Bronx-born artist needs to be tapped in with and admire the people that he brings out.

Listening to R&B throughout his childhood has shaped his sound and the artistry that he appreciates today; his taste is selective. He believes that a lot of modern music is watered down, “Out of 100 per cent of what is popular these days, I could probably rock with about 15 per cent maybe.”

While he is very particular about the intricacies of his art, Lil Tjay is more laid-back when I ask him whether he cares about how his fans perceive him. “I won’t be stressing it too much, I’ll just be singing… I won’t be studying it too much.” Joking that his tour will be like a “sing-a-long”, the rapper can’t imagine his performances being anything other than “lit”.

Grateful for the continued fan support that has led him to sell out arena venues, he reflects on how it feels like only yesterday when he first broke through. His career was born before the boom in sound-bitey musical buzz. “I don’t write with virality in mind,” he shares, revealing that he doesn’t even have apps like TikTok on his phone. He likens his songwriting to poetry: “It’s about creating music that feels good to me.”

In the face of an ever-growing career, he acknowledges the struggles he has faced in his journey to stardom. Despite this, he still instils resilience. Announcing that he’s ready for what’s to come in the future, he allows his laidback façade to show a glimmer of excitement. In response to this, he discloses his plans for 2024: “I plan on dropping a lot of music,” he muses. Snippets of new tracks like ‘Took a While (Be Us)’, have already gained lots of traction. “I’ll be having fun and dropping what feels right.”

In addition to his highly anticipated tour, Lil Tjay hosted an exclusive early screening event at the Everyman Theatre in London earlier this month for his short film, Losses, independently produced and directed by Shomi Patwary.

Lil Tjay is ready to share his story in growth and inspiration, letting the energy flow, and focusing on the moment. He wants his fans to remember him as, “Somebody who keeps it real”. From the nostalgic beats of his early days to the freshness of his new tracks, his performances consistently remind us why he’s become such a musical force.