Kays Young is a Paris-based French artist. Early in childhood, he was drawn to music and passionate about the arts, and he grew up listening to old-school Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B. With his lyrical touch and vibrations, he will connect you to his emotions and profound feelings. Check out his EP Yin Young and the exclusive interview with him below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
KAYS YOUNG: Iโm a 28 years old young artist based in Paris. I was born in Africa (Cameroun) and moved in France at the age of 5. Since I came here I grew up listening to new variety of music different from my home town discovered I really enjoyed listening to Hip-hop, Rap, RnB and soul music. Early I was attracted by Afro-American history and music and start making my own from listening to classics songs from NWA, 2pac, Snoop dog and many others. So I recently started to make music and produce myself.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
KAYS YOUNG: I donโtโ have any formal training I define myself a self-taught since I started rapping in college but later I took music lessons which helped me improving my skills.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โKAYS YOUNGโ?
KAYS YOUNG: West-Coast hip-hop rap influenced me a lot. The NWA, Snoop Dog, 2pac and artists from this area had a huge impact on me. So when I was in College and started listening mostly to Hip-Hop music I created my own Band called โWanted Niggaโ and needed a strong Nickname as the leader of it. So I picked my Initials and added as the first letter K wich came of My grandma last name (Kameni). So You Got K(ameni), A(rthur), (Bob)Y and S(iewe). And Young because most America Artist had โYoungโ or โLilโ before their Nickname but I put it at last just to change a bit.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
KAYS YOUNG: I define my music lyrical since I put a lot in writing about my deep feelings and experiences through life so it is really inspiring for others people and can impact them. But it can also be bouncy so I have not limit when it comes to make music.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
KAYS YOUNG:
Itโs true there really is a phase of observing, discovering and appreciating the art of music. I early listened Hip-Hop so I grew up understanding its basics codes but I also saw changes taking place in the area differencing Old and New school music. By then I adapted myself to my era but I keep my essence that is full of Old school vibes.
6. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
KAYS YOUNG:
Music is the better way to express myself and denounce what I find abnormal so music can reach every topics. Through music I essentially talk about myself and what I am deeply involve with in my life.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
KAYS YOUNG:
Good question. โYin Youngโ is my first EP produced by myself so I am still marketing it by myself and discovering how it works in the industry to promote your song. I had goods return and many people supporting me so I am expecting something more in the future for my second EP.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
KAYS YOUNG:
To me itโs simple, it start listening to certain type of beat and everything comes from it like it is the beat that tells me what I have to do.
9. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
KAYS YOUNG: Being an independent artist isnโt easy at all. Producing and promoting your music can be stressfull but itโs all part of the process.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
KAYS YOUNG: Making my first EP was a huge accomplishment for me since I had this project 2 years ago and did not know where and how to start it.
11. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
KAYS YOUNG: Music is a way of expression so itโs important to understand what it vehicles. But sometimes what you write can be interpreted differently or vehicles strong message you did not think about when writing it but also relevant so everybody is free comprehend his way.
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