Tim Gent
'I feel like being a representative of TN and the South is really important. I’ve been doing a lot of listening to those who came before me and working now from the region, and it’s important to keep pushing what the greats have done and elaborating on the influence.'
Evan Dale | May 31, 2026
Tim Gent has been a staple of the Tennessee scene for a while now. The Clarksville-rooted rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer is one of those artists whose well-rounded acumen as an architect not only for his own sound, but for those of his innumerable collaborators, has meant that no matter what stage of his career he might be finding himself in, his impact is being felt in more ways than one. Now, back to releasing his own music on the tail end of a five-year hiatus where he was primarily writing for others, he's just put out the second installment - God's Gyoza - of an ongoing series, building momentum and exploring the range of his work hand-in-hand with the many talented friends surrounding him.
RNGLDR: Prior to last October’s release of don’t make God yell, it’d been a while since we got a dedicated Tim Gent project. You’ve been busy though - tell us what you’ve been up to personally and creatively. And are these last two projects part of something larger on the way?
Tim Gent: Yeah it’d been a minute for me, as far as dropping music goes. In 2020, I signed a publishing deal and got into songwriting and tv/film heavy. My management at the time had a goal to find a strategic partner to release my music and had a few opportunities pop up that ended up falling through the cracks. In turn, I ended up not dropping a body of work in 5 years. In that time, man I got married, got a spot with my gal, and my son was getting older on me. I came up with this concept: Change is Good. Around that same time, I wrote this song called MLB. I put a snippet on social media and folks were tripping about it (in a good way).
Tay Keith ended up reaching out and telling me not to drop it until I had a radio budget, so I asked him for it. He took me to a couple of companies and we ended up landing a deal with Larry Jackson’s, gamma. I got a single deal and an option for an album. So, from 2023 to 2025, AB and I did everything we could to make Change is Good and sonically pair it with MLB. We dropped MLB in February of 2025, partnered with Tay Keith & gamma. I went on my first multi-city tour, opening for Akeem Ali. Everything was looking promising. The single did okay, but not well enough to get my album picked up, so as far as budget and support, I was back on my own with this album we had made. I really loved the music and wanted to give it a fair shot, so AB and I decided to bust the album up and drop it in parts. That birthed don’t make God yell (exec produced by AB & Tay Keith) and now, God’s Gyoza. There’s a third piece releasing very soon. That’s long-winded, but that’s what we been on, haha.
RNGLDR: We have to ask about the name of the project. What’s it all about?
Tim Gent: Haha, we named this part God’s Gyoza because this piece of music is, what we consider, an appetizer before we get to the main course. My good friend Lanei, who’s been helping me put these releases together, asked a great question when we were putting the rollout together: “What’s your favorite appetizer?” I told her Gyoza, and to keep the theme going, AB suggested adding “God” to the title.
RNGLDR: A top-to-bottom project from two modern Nashville legends. How far back does your working relationship with AB go? And how has it evolved through the years?
Tim Gent: AB is my mf dog, man. I love that dude. We were groomsman in each other’s weddings and he’s my son’s godfather. So, it goes beyond the music. We’ve been locked in since 2016 though. 10 years cooking, doing shows and throwing events. As far as how it has evolved, we’re just older and have a different view of this game we’re in. Our relationship with God has evolved individually and I believe it’s enhanced what we’re doing. That’s my brother for life.
RNGLDR: Ain’t No B*tch In Me pulls you and Chuck Indigo back into the collaborative frame together? How is it connecting on a track with someone that you have a long working history with? How has the dynamic shifted as both of you have evolved independently as artists?
Tim Gent: Nick Drake, formally known as Chuck Indigo, is my dog. Funny enough, Ain’t No was actually his song and he got me to do a verse, but he hated the first version I sent him, haha. He had me redo that verse three or four times. We sat on the song so long I ended up just putting it out. The last few years, he’s been doing a lot of my video work. We spend a lot more time these days than before. That’s my dog fasho.
RNGLDR: How do you think that each of you, AB and Chuck’s contributions to the city’s scene – and a more expansive scene at large – continue to present themselves in your work?
Tim Gent: It’s interesting because we’re still attempting to punch through that invisible wall, but we’ve made a lot of progress. The scene is expanding, and there’s so much opportunity right now. A lot of people have eyes on Nashville. I feel blessed to be a part of the scene and to have contributed thus far.
RNGLDR: In what ways is it important to you to continue representing your home city and working with so many of the talented people there?
Tim Gent: I’m actually from Clarksville, TN. That’s home. I’m still locked in with my brothers from out there (Case Arnold, Free P, T Clark, and the guys). I feel like being a representative of TN and the South is really important. I’ve been doing a lot of listening to those who came before me and working now from the region, and it’s important to keep pushing what the greats have done and elaborating on the influence.
RNGLDR: How has Nashville’s hip-hop and R&B scenes changed since we last spoke in 2022?
Tim Gent: There’s a lot of dope new artists making waves out here right now. Kyleigh, Summer Joy, shelldn, Casper Sage, and Qualls are some of my favorites. DJs have really been turning the city up lately as well. It’s been different, but still excited to see things moving in the right direction.
RNGLDR: Beyond A.B. and Chuck, the project – for only being six tracks long – is overflowing with collaborations from other artists, too. It’s nothing new for you who works so often with artists on their work. But, how does it feel to be the one inviting other artists in to expand your own sound? What does that provide you and your creative process in comparison with your experience being brought in to help with another artist’s work?
Tim Gent: I feel like a producer deep down. I like mixing my sounds and directing traffic to reach a sonic destination. I hear artists like Audy performing at an open mic in Atlanta, and automatically have an idea of how I want to work with her. I meet Simon Said in the studio in Miami, and I hear his infectious Melodies and razor sharp pen. AB, Lo Naurel & Nick Drake are frequent collaborators. That mix of talent helps cultivate something special. My favorite thing about Kanye West was he’d put everybody as a collaborator. Even if they just did background vocals. That’s my mindset going into projects. I’m excited for people to hear the third installment.
RNGLDR: Within that same collaborative space, you’re an artist that in some ways collaborates with yourself. A writer, rapper, singer – even through a shorter project – how were you able to explore the different ends of your own sound with God’s Gyoza?
Tim Gent: I believe the idea of making a project that MLB could live inside created the direction for this specific body of work. I wanted to lean in on the R&B elements and blend that with the raps. It’s a snapshot of all the music we’ve made over the last few years.
RNGLDR: When laying out the framework for a project like this, how does it feel different than your experience helping to lay something out for another artist?
Tim Gent: I take a similar approach, honestly. “This shit gotta be hard.”
RNGLDR: After Party is a popping but still in some ways low-key kind of anthem. What kind of energy were you trying to capture?
Tim Gent: I wanted a follow-up single for MLB. AB and I were just having fun. MLB birthed a lot of this music. I thank God for that damn song haha.