Michael Ray Stevenson[3] (born November 19, 1989), known professionally as Tyga (/ˈtaɪɡə/; a backronym for Thank You God Always),[4] is an American rapper.

His second album and major label debut, Careless World: Rise of the Last King (2012), peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was met with critical praise.

[6] Michael Ray Stevenson was born on November 19, 1989, in Compton, California,[7] and raised there until he "was about 11, 12", before moving to adjacent Gardena.

His 2007 debut mixtape, Young On Probation, garnered the attention of fellow California rapper and Gym Class Heroes frontman, Travie McCoy.

A song from the album, "Diamond Life" was used in the video games Need for Speed: Undercover and Madden NFL 2009, as well as in the 2009 film Fighting.

Tyga met Wayne at the 2008 VMA's, performing the remix of Fall Out Boy's "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race".

Careless World: Rise of the Last King is a move to the rapping style he featured in the collaboration album We Are Young Money rather than the poppy dance element exemplified on his previous effort, No Introduction.

That year Tyga also produced and co-directed (with Justice Young) a multi-AVN Award-nominated crossover adult film, Rack City: The XXX Movie, which starred Skin Diamond, Jada Fire, Ice La Fox, Sophie Dee, Lexington Steele, Kristina Rose, London Keyes and Daisy Marie.

[22][23] He also signed the soundtrack, which includes the hits "Rack City" and "Faded" together with several original songs, and he appeared in the film in a non-sex role.

It features remixes to songs such as 2 Chainz's "I'm Different", Meek Mill's "Young & Gettin' It" and GOOD Music's "Clique", among others and new material.

[33] Tyga performed at Harvard University's Yardfest in the Spring of 2013, despite opposition from critics who've signed a petition seeking to keep him away over what they call his "violently misogynistic lyrics".

The album featured guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Game, Wiz Khalifa, Future and Jadakiss.

Along with production by Cool & Dre, D. A. Doman, DJ Mustard, Detail, Mars of 1500 or Nothin', The Olympicks, and SAP among others.

"[40] Then on April 9, 2014, Tyga released a song called "Hookah" which features the rapper Young Thug.

[41] On May 1, 2014, Tyga made a tweet referring to Kanye West, Mike Dean, and his own producer Jess Jackson with a hash-tag The Gold Album.

[47] The album was set to have features from Justin Bieber, Young Thug, Kanye West, Chris Brown, and Drake.

[49] On December 4, 2014, Tyga made a tweet declaring his project, The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty would be released independently due to not being on good terms with label Cash Money Records.

7 on the Billboard Hot 200 and featured guest appearances from 50 Cent, T.I., Pusha T, Wale, Ty Dolla Sign, Schoolboy Q, Boosie Badazz, and Fat Trel.

It marked Tyga's first entry on the Hot 100 in three years, since 2015's Ride Out, and is certified 9× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

"[64] In July 2020, Tyga partnered with businessman Robert Earl to launch a virtual kitchen brand called Tyga Bites, which uses existing restaurants' kitchens to produce branded menu items such as boneless chicken wings for delivery service only.

[68] Tyga met model Blac Chyna on October 5, 2011, at The F.A.M.E Tour After Party with Chris Brown at King of Diamonds in Miami.

[69][70] Blac Chyna was cast as Tyga's leading lady in his "Rack City" music video.

[72] On October 16, 2012, their son, named King Cairo,[73] was born,[74] and Tyga purchased a $6.5 million mansion in Calabasas, California that same month.

[78] After months of speculation, Tyga confirmed his relationship with reality star Kylie Jenner in August 2015.

A pair of diamond chains would end up in the hands of local rapper 40 Glocc, who showed them off in an online video.

"[87] In late 2012, Tyga was sued by two women who appeared in the "Make It Nasty" video for $10 million each; they claimed he had shown their nipples without their consent.

[88] On September 21, 2013, another woman from the video sued Tyga for sexual battery, fraud, invasion of privacy, and infliction of emotional distress.

[89] On September 4, 2013, it was reported Tyga had been sued by Beverly Hills-based jeweler Jason Arasheben for allegedly not paying for roughly $91,000 worth of jewelry.

Arasheben claims that Tyga agreed to pay $28,275 for the jeweler's diamond pantheon watch in August 2012 and that he borrowed a $63,000 diamond Cuban link chain in December 2012 and never returned the item, so he sued Tyga for the cost of both pieces, plus late fees, which totaled up to $185,306.50 in damages, double the original total cost.

[91] In June 2015, a judge ordered Tyga to pay an $80,000 settlement to a former landlord, who rented a home to the rapper in the city of Calabasas, California.