Interview with hip-hop artist YUNG J
Today on our Hot Seat we have hip-hop artist YUNG J with us. Let’s have a chat with him.
Twist Online : First of all please introduce yourself to our readers.
YUNG J : I’m Yung J. I’m a Hip-Hop artist. I was born and raised in The Bronx and I started rapping when I was just 9 years old. I’m mostly influenced by old school hip hop (late 90’s and mid 2000’s).
Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
YUNG J : Honestly, I started listening to Hip-Hop since I was a little kid. It wasn’t until I was 9 years that I knew I wanted to get into the music industry. But it was my cousin that encouraged me to take my music seriously. So I started writing constantly and almost every Sunday he’d come over and look at my rhymes and tell what I could improve on. From there, I kept getting better and determined. We were supposed to go to the studio to record my first song but he was killed before that could happen. So I have to thank my cousin for inspiring me.
Twist Online : Tell us about your recent release?
YUNG J : My recent project is called Underrated. I recorded it over the course of 2018. I feel like this is my most personal project to date. Usually I’d have a couple of features but this time I only have two.Underrated doesn’t really have a story concept. I’m just showcasing the best of me whether it’s a party song or a trap song or a love song. I can adapt to a trend and still manage to put my twist on it. And ultimately with Underrated , I’m pushing the envelope. It’s me saying I refuse to be overlooked or slept on any longer. My time is now.
Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
YUNG J : I’m honestly hoping to get the recognition that I deserve. My talent is undeniable and this is something that I’m told every time I perform. I understand that it takes time to grow but at this point I feel that I deserve some more recognition on a bigger scale. I also hope to touch others with my music. My songs essentially have a message. Just be yourself. You don’t have to try to emulate what’s hot right now. Just do you and your fans and peers will respect you even more.
Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
YUNG J : I gotta say both. And I’ll tell you why. Working in the studio gives you that special type of vibe, especially when you’re working another artist and the chemistry is off the chain. When it comes to performing on stage, you can interact with the audience, speak to them through your lyrics and ultimately make them relate to you. I’ve had plenty moments when I was performing and I’d see the audience deeply engaged in my performance. It’s a very great feeling you get when you experience that. I’ve also had moments in the studio where I’d collaborate with an artist and our chemistry was phenomenal. So I’m going with both.
Twist Online : Tell us about your upcoming shows.
YUNG J : Every now and then I perform at open mics. I like performing in my community and I’m becoming a local favorite. But this year I aim to perform on bigger stages. So as of now I’ll be performing on January 25th at The Living Room, located in The Bronx. After that, I’ll have various shows coming up.
Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve?
YUNG J : Yes. I’ve set a lot of goals. One of my goals is to start performing out of state. I’d actually like to start touring. New cities and new audiences to entertain definitely exciting to me. Another goal I have is to start my own record label. I know plenty of talented artists and I believe that they deserve a chance to have their talents shared with the world.
Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?
YUNG J : Yes! I’m always working on new material. In fact, that was one of the reasons I kinda took long with releasing Underrated . I’m kinda discreet with my music when it’s currently under construction but I plan to do a project with songs sampling shows from the 90’s called “The Saturday Morning LP”. It’s still a work in progress but my creative process is quite interesting so it’s never a dull moment. But until then I’ll continue to promote “Underrated”.
