Young Gifted has stayed true to the game since 1988. Pioneers of the dark side, Young Gifted embody old school and new school techniques over thunderous beats. Now Young Gifted is back with a vengeance and to settle an old score, with their monstrous street anthem titled, “Get ‘Em”.
- How long have you been in the music business and how did you get started in the first place?
Young Gifted: We have been in the business for more than 25 years. Mr. Westfield, the school principal, took an interest in us and became our mentor.
- Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
Young Gifted: Various artist from Motown, groups such as Earth Wind and Fire. Hip Hop artists such as, Run-Dmc, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Public Enemy just to name a few.
- Which artists are you currently listening to?
Young Gifted: Everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Hall and Oats.
- Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ from within the industry, and if so how have you handled that, and how do you handle criticism and haters in general?
Young Gifted: Years ago, we were told that our music sounds far too futuristic and that the industry won’t embrace it. It’s now 2015; we feel that the industry has caught up to us, being that we were already ahead of our time. The only way to handle criticism and haters is to, stay persistent and believe in your craft. Don’t let anyone tell you that “you can’t do something”
- What are your thoughts on visual media and Youtube? Do think that video is an appropriate marketing tool for your music, and do you have any videos published for fans to see?
Young Gifted: Visual media is great if used wisely. No, we do not have any videos out at the moment. We chose another path to go down. We wanted to be different from everyone else. In the near future, we will be releasing some visuals on social media, internet, YouTube, etc.
- Which do you ultimately prefer? Entertaining a live audience or creating songs in a studio setting?
Young Gifted: Both. However, I must admit there’s no better feeling than to perform in front of a live audience.
- Tell us something about your lyrics and music production on your releases. Which part of these processes do you handle, and which do you outsource generally?
Young Gifted: My lyrics speak for itself. Ruff, rugged and raw. Lead artist “L.o.v.e” handles the lyrics. Total Kaos handles the production alongside Aaron Dean and Young C The Great.
8. What is the title of your latest music release and where can fans find it?
Young Gifted: Our latest recording release was a freestyle titled: Blood Type. Fans can find it on sound cloud, Reverbnation. https://www.reverbnation.com/younggifted4 https://soundcloud.com/jo-146
- Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre thriving with newcomers?
Young Gifted: When you feel it’s real, whether new or old, authenticity is the key. That’s what resonates in the music as well in our performance.
- If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to be a part of this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
Young Gifted: I have to say Passion. Young Gifted’s passion for music and for our music to be heard around the world supersedes any emotion you can think of.
- Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
Young Gifted: What excites me about being an independent artist is that I’m my own boss. I get to choose my own destiny. My own pathway. What discourages me is that the industry makes it very hard for an independent artist like myself to get music played on commercial radio.
- How do you market and manage your music career? Do you have a management team or do you control everything by yourself?
Young Gifted: We have a management team “Young Gifted Entertainment.” The entertainment uses various tools such as social media, internet and other outlets to market and promote the group.
- How do you achieve your sound? Do you work from a private recording environment or do you use a commercial sound studio?
Young Gifted: We work out of a private studio “Authority Studios”
- The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
Young Gifted: The best piece of advice I followed was to always be myself. No one can be a better me. I was given this advice at young age by my dad and I continue to follow this philosophy to this day.
- If you had the choice which famous and/or successful producer would you like to work with?
Young Gifted: There is plenty out there, but to name one “Dr. Dre”
- Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to independent artists and indie music in general, or do you think it only creates ‘fake of fabricated fame’?
Young Gifted: The internet and social media is very fundamental to an independent artist. Social media gives indie artist an outlet for their music to be heard by the masses.
- If someone has never heard your music, which keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
Young Gifted: Dark, Hardcore beats, hip hop at its finest, lyrically inclined, ill, Dope
- Straight off the top of your head, how would you describe the current state of Hip-hop, R&B and Rap?
Young Gifted: The industry has changed a lot from when I started. My motto has always been “people change, but the game remains the same”
- As you work your way through your career, which more than any other fires-up your imagination – A Grammy award, Platinum music sales or any other tangible milestone?
Young Gifted: What fires me up is being able to change the state of hip hop. I want to bring it back to the golden age where music matters. I’m excited about kicking in the doors for us and for all indie artists that follows behind. That’s what motivates me. I’m not doing this for a Grammy, I’m doing this for the love of the culture. If I achieve a Grammy or platinum status along the way, so be it.
- What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?
Young Gifted: Compromise myself. Stay true to my music. Stay true to the culture and last but not least, stay true to the streets.
OFFICIAL LINKS: REVERBNATION – TWITTER – FACEBOOK
