Behind The Songwriter: How Clever Went from Writing for Justin Bieber to Reinventing Himself in Country Music

"I'm living off dreams and SpaghettiOs right now," Joshua Tyler Huie tells Holler.

The artist – better known as Clever – is sitting in his car to take this call, likely being pulled between label meetings and writing sessions during one of his usually quick – but action-packed – visits to Nashville.

The rapper and longtime songwriter to the stars may only now be venturing into the country genre. Still, from his sly nod to Martina McBride's 2003 femme-powered anthem, 'This One's for the Girls', it's clear that he's been country for much longer. As he says, "I've always had a little bit of dirt on my boots."

Born and raised in rural Alabama, Clever grew up earning such muck and has worn it proudly throughout his career. He fondly recalls visiting livestock auctions with his grandfather and, even today, raises chickens while experimenting with growing different kinds of corn on his own plot of land near his roots.

"I just feel like, coming from where I come from and being raised in some of the ways that I have, country just always felt like home," he says of the genre he began flirting with just last year. It turned out to be an endeavor that came naturally.

"It was always songs that were singing to my story. It was painting a picture of a life I already knew. It was the easiest decision that I've ever made. I think country music is the reason that I'm still making music."

Before the viral success of his 2024 single 'Candlelight', a bare-bones but impassioned offering that would serve as his initial foray into the genre, Clever contemplated giving up.

For years, he has mainly worked behind the scenes or in the shadows of hip-hop and pop giants, either writing for or collaborating with artists like Post Malone, Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Justin Bieber, and many more.

While attempting to pursue his solo career as a hip-hop artist, however, he faced several hurdles – a record deal had gone south, an attempt at independence seemed to follow suit and his craft began to feel foreign to him – until he eventually found himself at a crossroads.

"I could see the writing on the wall," he says. "I needed to do something different. I was tired of writing the same songs. I was shooting videos with other rap artists, pointing finger guns at the cameras. I just wasn't that person anymore."

Clever could either exist in the background, his words forever on other artists' lips, or he could fight for his rightful place in the spotlight. But first, he recalls, "I needed something that felt a little more like home."

That's exactly what he's been pursuing in the realm of country music ever since, that feeling of being at home in his songwriting, his artistry and the product he's putting out into the world. While his country may not sound like anything gracing airwaves and donning popular playlists at the moment, his sound – each song an act of defiance where sweeping strings confront pulsating 808s or sombre rock riffs being set alight by an emotive croon – is something wholly Clever.

"A lot of people would always say, 'This is not hip-hop'," he shares of his style. "Everything I do is a little left of center, so even my country, I gotta put my own little spin on it."

Coming from the collaborative hip-hop world to the equally communal space that hums throughout Music City seems like a natural transition. However, it hasn't been without its strains, with Clever feeling weary of relinquishing the creative reins when it comes to this new musical chapter.

"When you're collaborating, it kind of changes the song concept and direction you're going," he explains. "Even today, when I write with some of the incredible writers in Nashville, I'm very hesitant to get in the room with certain people. I'm very particular about who it is because there's a story that I want to tell. It always changes a little bit when you have other people writing on songs."

Noting songwriting greats like Ashley Gorley, Clever adds, "I really want to show that I can stand on my own and write some songs to get on that level right alongside them."

Since the release of 'Candlelight', he has been steadily rising in the ranks of Nashville newcomers, releasing his self-titled EP to wide acclaim last fall and dropping singles like breadcrumbs on his journey to the top. With a newfound contentment, a genre-upturning sound and something different to bring to the table, Clever may very well be Nashville's long-awaited wild card. This unpredictable new star has the potential to change the game.

"I've watched a lot of writers' rounds in Nashville in the last couple of months, and I think there's something that I do that some just don't do," he says with his chest, unwavering in his belief that he's exactly where he's meant to be and eager to prove his mettle.

"There's more to it than fitting in. I want to do what they're not doing. I want to stand out; I think I have a place here. I've got something to say."

Clever's new single, 'Undressed', is out now.

Clever

Artist