Basement Finds 001: TYRIQUE GLOVER
The Dallas artist continues to pour his melodic and honest lyrics onto synth power pop, rock, hip-hop and R&B arrangements to create a genre he can't even name.
Welcome to Basement Finds, a series where I dig deep on the internet to find music that’s been buried and unheard. All music deserves to be heard and shared and The Basement is a vehicle for exactly that.
About two months ago, I stumbled into a Discord server and met an artist that really caught my attention. He was screen sharing his DAW and was making music live in a call of 25 people. I watched for about 15 minutes and within that time, he created a song that I knew the chorus to instantly. It was so impressive and frankly…brave.
I had an opportunity to speak with Tyrique Glover (stylized as TYRIQUE GLOVER) over a discord call and we explored his background, creative process and the meaning behind his music.
This is Basement Finds: TYRIQUE GLOVER
(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Q. Thanks for meeting me today. Let’s just start with the basics, tell me about yourself. Introduce yourself to the internet.
A. My name is Tyrique Glover or formerly also known as Illicit Link (stylized in all lowercase), I’m 19 and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas.
Q. So, what’s the music scene like in Dallas?
A. Honestly, boring… I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’ve been here all my life or maybe because nobody is making the kind of music I make, though.
Q. I want to get around to talking about your music here soon but I’m curious on how it started. When did you start making it?
A. I started at 15, I wasn’t taking it seriously though. At first I made music on Bandlab, then someone told me about FL Studio and Pro Tools. I started using those and… I don’t know what vibe I was going for, I was just talking about relationship problems.
Q. That’s insane, you started at 15 and you’re only 19. Were there any inspirations or artists that influenced your sound? You have that 2016-2018 Soundcloud look too.
A. Yes, I listen to Juice WRLD, Yung Thug, Trippie (Redd), The Kid Laroi… PnB Rock. That era was the GOAT, for real. Prince is also one of my biggest inspirations.
Q. I witnessed it firsthand, but describe what’s your creating process like? I know that could look very different for every artist.
A. Well, I’m a spiritual person and try to have a certain mindset before I even sit down and make music. I definitely need that. But I have a list of ideas and topics in my Notes app. I just pick one and punch. I don’t write my lyrics, I wish I could though. I have so much respect for the people that can… I’m probably making music for about 17 hours a day.
Q. Writing lyrics and punching in are both very challenging to do, really. I met you through a Discord server, when did you start broadcasting and sharing your music with people like that? Did you also just say 17 hours?!
A. One of my friends told me about the server and I wanted to compete in song wars. I play my music for people too because I’m trying to find my audience. Some people say that f*** with it but some of them don’t. Two of my best friends are in the server so I just chill in there regardless. And yeah, music is like a drug, once I’m locked in it’s like a sugar rush.
Q. I could understand the polarizing reactions, everyone is in to different genres. What genre do you think you fall under?
A. That’s the thing, I don’t know what to call it. It’s 80’s synthwave… I used to do rock…I really don’t know. Every week I switch a genre, from emo sh** to 80’s music. I don’t want to be in a box. People say I sound like a pop star that could rap, so I would go with that for now.
Q. What’s one message you’d like to tell your listeners or just into the ether?
A. Always be real to yourself and be yourselves. So many people tell me to do underground music. I don’t care what’s trending or popular. Also, life is limited so you’ve got to make the best of it.
Q. What’s some of your goals?
A. I want to perform so bad. One of my main goals is to perform at Rolling Loud. My music definitely has that energy for it. I just want to get my music out there.
Q. What’s next from you?
A. I’m working on a project for 2025. I drop singles on my SoundCloud too. I really want to perfect my craft before I drop this one.
Q. Thanks for talking with me today, really appreciate it!
A. Of course thanks for having me this was cool.
Keep up with TYRIQUE GLOVER on these platforms: