Move to L.A.
by Tyga (featuring Ty Dolla $ign)

Album: Bitch I'm the S--t 2 (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song pays homage to Ma$e and Total's 1998 hit "What You Want," appropriating lines and emulating Ma$e's energy and flow. The tune also borrows from Curtis Mayfield's "Right On For the Darkness," which is sampled on Ma$e's track. Tyga told Genius how G.O.O.D. Music, founder Kanye West encouraged him to utilise the '90s hip hop classic.

    "I had played it for Kanye and he was like, 'I would love to hear more of that Ma$e flow.' So we went back to the studio. I went through Ma$e's lyrics and the vibe of that and then we listened to the original Curtis Mayfield record and was like, 'We gonna put both of them together and still give it that bounce.'"
  • The track is a collaboration with Ty Dolla Sign. Tyga explained the hook up:

    "We had the song already written and sent it to him. I was like, 'Don't mind my singing, because it's like a reference.' And he heard it, he knew what it was, right off the bat. He sent it right back to me. He was like, 'If you need anything else I can come in and re-record it. This is a smash.' So, it just came together.

    I feel like Ty Dolla $ign, you can really hear the sincerity and the passion in his vocals. I didn't want it so crazy polished. I like the fact that Ty Dolla $ign, he's R&B, but he's still street. He got that thug essence to him, too. I think it just made it great for the record."
  • The song's music video also pays tribute to to Mase's "What You Want." Tyga explained the visual's concept to Billboard magazine:

    "Man, just because the game is missing a lot of that essence now. I think the late '90s and the early 2000s is like the golden era for rap, the golden era for culture. I think a lot of people don't acknowledge it now as they should be doing. That was the golden era of music. From when Ma$e was out to all the way when 50 [Cent] came out. It was just nothing but rap stars. Hits. Fun. Nobody sounded the same. Everybody had their own unique flow, unique style. The videos were glossy.

    Now, with rap being the biggest genre in music, people need that essence. Kendrick [Lamar] is doing it. I commend Kendrick for doing it and showing the meaning of videos again. For awhile, people were acting like videos weren't important. People were just shooting quick little videos and weren't really caring about the content of it. I've always been a person that was about the visuals, too. It's just the right time. I just know when the time is right to strike. I just feel like that's what the game is missing right now. People just need that essence. People need those superstars again."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.