Ep. 220: Tayla Parx | Longevity & Building a Lasting Career

Today’s guest is more than a hitmaker — she’s a creative force who has shaped the sound of a generation. From penning chart-toppers like “Thank U, Next” (Ariana Grande), “High Hopes” (Panic! at the Disco), and “Love Lies” (Khalid & Normani) to building her own label, publishing company, and artist career, her story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and longevity.And the writer is… Tayla Parx!In this episode, Tayla sits down with Ross to unpack how she’s navigated more than a decade at the top of the music industry — from her start in Hairspray to writing with Babyface, to becoming one of the few Black women with a #1 country song. She opens up about:Surviving the pressures of back-to-back sessions and industry burnoutTurning setbacks into fuel for her artistry and business venturesWhy branding yourself as a songwriter matters as much as the songsThe art of staying relevant without chasing trendsHow to keep building a catalog that pays you for decades to comeFor every songwriter, artist, or creative grinding to build a career that lasts — this is the blueprint.🎧 Listen now and learn how Tayla Parx keeps writing hits… again and again.Chapters0:00 Teaser – Why Longevity Matters in Music1:37 Intro: And The Writer Is… Tayla Parx!8:33 From Dallas Kid to Hairspray & Nickelodeon Star12:49 Finding Songwriting & Learning From Babyface14:07 Leaving Acting Behind to Chase Music Full-Time24:53 The Warner Chappell Era: Building a Writer Community27:15 Breakthrough Hits: “Thank U, Next” & “High Hopes”31:38 NMPA Ad – Fighting for Songwriter Rights32:45 Inside the Story of “Thank U, Next”39:37 How to Build a Catalog That Pays for Decades40:55 “Love Lies” & Crossing Genres as a Hitmaker50:34 Advocating for Women, Black Creatives & LGBTQ+ Voices52:00 Why Tayla Still Releases Her Own Music53:20 From Bieber to John Legend to Country #155:32 Exploring Jazz, R&B, and Children’s Music59:34 Song Splits, Collaboration & Session Dynamics1:03:41 Why Collaboration Matters (and When to Write Alone)1:11:38 The Secret to Longevity & Reinvention1:16:25 Closing Reflections & LegacyAnd The Writer Is… is presented by The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) — advocating for songwriters, music publishers, and their essential rights.Learn more at NMPA.orgHosted by Ross GolanExecutive Produced by Joe London and Jad SaadWatercolor by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.