Fender Feedback: Ty Dolla $ign on Live Instruments in Hip-Hop

Los Angeles native Ty Dolla $ign was exposed to music at a young age.

His father, Tyron Griffin Sr., was briefly involved with funk legends Lakeside, which allowed the hip-hop artist/producer to spend time with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire and Prince.

Perhaps that is why he insists on using live instrumentation on his critically acclaimed compositions.

"I'm listening to a Snoop (Dogg)song, and pops tells me, 'Oh, that's George Clinton. You just told me George Clinton is wack, but now you're saying this same song is dope?'" he said. "Yeah, the drums are banging, the 808s and all the new (stuff)that everybody's into. But then you've got the real Rhodes, real organ, real bass. It's all about the real stuff. That's what made me want to play bass. That right there."

Whether it is a Precision Bass a Jazz Bass, drums or keyboards, Dolla $ign admits that those "live" instruments are critical parts of his creative process.

"The P-Bass, the Jazz Bass, those are my two favorites," he said of his bass collection. "P-Bass, that's the classic Motown (sound. It)makes a great R&B record. If I'm onstage and I want you to really hear what I'm doing, it's the Jazz Bass. It's just two different moods."

Learn more about Ty Dolla $igns' desire to mix sample-based beatmaking wiht live instruments in the video above.