Today we’d like to introduce you to YBKPO.
Hi YBKPO, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A rapper and songwriter. My journey didn’t really start off any musical, none of my parents nor relatives were in any way involved in the music industry. This alone made things complicated than they were supposed to be. However, we live in a generation with the internet, so a click away is what it took to start listening to the music I really related to. I started with listening to Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifah till the time the SoundCloud era took over, Looking at artists like Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Kodak and the Migos really showed me that I could turn this love for the art and actually make something for myself. But I didn’t really take it that seriously till 2020.
I started writing music in 2020 and I remember recording audios on my pc and phone in my bedroom for about a year before I actually decided to hit the studio to record my first song, which honestly wasn’t the best but was still great for the start. Recording music in my bedroom with low-quality equipment wasn’t the best choice, but it bought me time to really grow as a creative and really discover my sound that would differ me from the millions out there.
I dropped my first EP titled ”BABY STEPS” on 3rd January 2022, a 7-track project, It had great songs with the leading being”4420”which I wrote as a tribute to my late best friend who I lost in 2020. People really embraced the project despite not being the best production but at least they saw potential in me and that’s what mattered at the time.
Fast forward, I’m dropping my first album titled “JULY FEVER” a 16-track project great mix, production and of course, great music. It comes with features from Yung Jeph, Brady, GEOXWILL, Chase Elix, and production credits from names like Big Dawg, Howard on the beat, and myself among other great names. Date is to be available soon
I knew I wanted to be great, do something for my family, my community, and those I care about and of course leave a legacy. Leaving a legacy or mark meant I had to put in extraordinary work to even get close to it, so I’m always passionate whenever I stand Infront of a microphone cause that what matters the most.
I have dropped two songs off the album before it officially drops
1. Supposed to be.
2. Trap house, to act as teaser on what I have coming.
I’m so anticipated for the future because I believe great things are coming, great music is coming, and someone please tell the Grammys that YBKPO is coming!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
”Challenges, obstacles, downs, slips” all those are part of life. It’s what makes life ”LIFE”, “At least that’s what mom says”. Life has its ups and downs but I always endeavor never to regret. I always like being positive and open and take the lessons for what they are and what they teach or can teach me rather than letting them drain me or bring me down.
Wholesomely I could say most of the challenges were financial, times I couldn’t afford studio time, afford beats, music videos, and transport but I always found a way. The goal is to step forward, keep being real to myself and the people around me and make nice music.
I have been through a lot of self-doubt, anxiety, the feeling of not being good enough, times I went to the studio and tried my best to be creative and nothing worked out, and sadly most times I ain’t had no one to talk to but rather let it out in my music. But it’s all part of the process, you got to have the patience, persistence and consistency if you really want it to work out.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I make music, I rap to be exact, but I also go diverse, basically I would say I make nice melodies, I usually don’t follow any music rules when recording, I just go with the flow and the vibe and how I’m feeling, this enables me to make music out of the regular and everyday sound, something someone can relate and listen to rather than just hear. With inspirations from Juice Wrld, Young Thug, Champagne Papi, Pressa, Migos, Roddy Ricch, Lil Uzi, I just let my craft speak for itself.
I’m definitely proud of the time I decided to pick up a mic and take on music, I have learned a lot, met great people and has made me feel like I have importance in my society and one day I know I shall leave a great impact on my neighborhood.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
”Risk”, when i hear the word ”risk”, it sound like ”opportunity” to mean. I watch lots of documentaries (Steve Harvey, XXXTENTACION”s LOOK AT ME, Young Thug, Lil Uzi, Travis) and one thing they emphasize is trying.
I always try, cause I know that you only stand a chance if you try. So to me, if I believe in a vision, art, let it be anything, I always try, Risk is fear and I always let go of the fear and step forward.
One of the things I always tell myself when I’m in such scenarios is;
If KENDRICK never tried then, there wouldn’t be KENDRICK
If DRAKE never tried then, there wouldn’t be DRAKE
If KOBE never tried then, there wouldn’t be KOBE
If ELON MUSK never tried, then there wouldn’t be ELON MUSK
If WILL SMITH never tried, then there wouldn’t be WILL SMITH
If GUNNA never pushed P, then there wouldn’t be GUNNA!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ybkp0/?r=nametag
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YBKPO
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YBKPO_?s=08
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCWy9I_2MrbpAyc0w6nHSZ3Q
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/4wRh
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zpBA01pzPN4x3VvlO5y1B?si=pP9yQTP6SH-fsnDTh0hsNA
