Fame rarely comes overnight - a reality most artists are forced to accept early on - but for Kentucky native Bryson Tiller, failure has never been an option. Since debuting his infectious T R A P S O U L album in 2015, he’s been a busy man, ruling the airwaves with hits like “Don’t” and “Exchange.”

Tiller’s comes a long way from his hometown of Louisville - no he’s not from Houston, he just recognizes great music and production when he hears it - but even an entry on Forbes Magazine's famed “30 Under 30” list, a feature alongside Rihanna and a heavy cosign courtesy of “Insecure” hasn’t diminished his southern charm.

The 24-year-old “Wild Thoughts” artist isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either, thanks in part to the H.E.R. and Metro Boomin’ assisted “Set It Off” tour slated to run through 27 cities, including an August 8th stop at Houston’s NRG Arena.

Speaking with Houston Style Magazine, Tiller was both humble and relaxed during a recent discussion about his sophomore offering, True To Self. Debuting at number one on Billboard’s 200 albums chart, the Trapsoul follow-up has since cemented Tiller as an artist on the move.

In short, he’s in it for the long haul. A sentiment producer and collaborator Boi-1da recently shared during a Rolling Stone interview, revealing “Bryson’s one of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with, period. Of his generation, he’s the guy, especially in R&B.”

Not even the possibility of the dreaded “sophomore slump” was enough to deter Tiller, who admitted that spending the better part of 2016 on tour and the festival circuit - which can be brutal for new and established artists alike - served as an early lesson on remaining steadfast and humble.

It also taught him how to connect with live audiences in a more intimate and meaningful way, allowing him to get to know his growing fan base during a period of growth he describes as “One thing is, I want to be more involved. I was new to it at first, but I love when it’s just me and my fans.”

While his success has launched him into the national spotlight, off-stage Tiller has remained largely private, a welcome change of pace in a digital age of overexposure and over sharing. With a laugh, he reveals a “love for sci-fi movies and video-games” including RPGs like the long-running Final Fantasy series.

When asked what life might look for him in the future, Tiller reveals “I would love to reach more people, either through my music, as a songwriter” or even through other avenues. But for now, he’s focused on an evolving sound, most recently seen on the 19-track True To Soul album, marking a slight departure from previous work.

“I definitely thought about the sophomore slump. I didn’t want to feel like I was letting anyone down, letting my friends down. I didn’t know what people were expecting from me,” explained Tiller.

In the end he’s learned to keep pushing. A perfectionist in his own right, though he hesitates to name any songs he would deem a “classic,” he reveals that cuts like “Self Made” and “No Longer Friends” are some of his favorite from the new album.

But for now, he’s just enjoying his moment in the sun. According to Tiller, “I’ve learned not to take all of this for granted.”

Put a face to the music by checking out the “Set It Off” tour trapsoul.com