Today we’d like to introduce you to Young Gank.
Hi Young, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first started out as a rapper, but when I stepped away from that I still wanted to stay connected to the hip hop community. Around 2015 I met Young Thug’s photographer Don Veedoe, though at the time I did not realize he worked with Thug. I booked a couple of shoots with him and we built a solid connection, and that was the first person who inspired me to pick up a camera. Soon after I met another photographer in Stone Mountain named Box Tha Future. He shot a lot of my photos, and one day he told me that I already took great pictures with my cell phone and should invest in a camera. That pushed me to buy my first camera, and from then on I practiced nonstop, shooting murals in downtown Atlanta and learning side by side with Box. Later that year I came up with the name Trap Journalist and brought Box into it, but when he eventually relocated to Las Vegas, I decided to take full ownership and pursue my own vision. From there things scaled quickly and I became more established in Atlanta’s underground hip hop scene.
I realized videography could really be a career when bookings started to come in consistently. It was lucrative, but more importantly it was fun and gave me a way to stay rooted in the industry I loved. By 2016 I was shooting with artists like Cashout, Money Mu, T Hood, and Peso Montana in the studio and on the streets. In 2017 I met Major Ceo, who provided cars, models, and locations for big name music videos. We built a strong partnership where he helped me connect with larger artists and I helped elevate his brand with high quality content. Along the way one of my first challenges was upgrading my equipment. At first I was editing pictures on my phone, but eventually I raised the money to buy a MacBook Pro and invest in gear that matched the workload.
Out of this journey I built multiple brands. Trap Journalist captures the raw energy of hip-hop and street culture with cinematic production. Secret Smart Shop became my entry into e commerce, and it also serves as a home for my Trap Journalist merchandise. These brands all connect under my vision of building creative platforms that represent both my work and lifestyle.
Travel has also become a major part of my content. I was inspired by wanting to see more of the world and not stay in one place. Traveling refreshes my perspective and shows how global hip hop culture really is. Everywhere I go the name Young Gank carries hip hop flavor, and I get love in every city. From Medellín to Dubai to Tokyo, I cannot say I have one favorite trip because each place is unique in its own way.
Today my focus is on continuing to work with new artists, upgrading my equipment, and building a solid production team. I want to keep scaling with YouTube, merchandise, partnerships, and collaborations while constantly learning from people who are already excelling in these spaces. The message I want people to take from my journey is simple. Do not get caught in the cycle of just paying bills and staying stagnant. Take risks, invest in yourself, and find what truly drives you. Pursue your passion and do not let anyone hold you back from living the life you want.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of my biggest early challenges was simply getting the right equipment to match the workload. In the beginning I was editing photos on my phone, which limited what I could do. Eventually I invested in a MacBook Pro and better gear, and that upgrade made a huge difference. Like most entrepreneurs, I also faced the challenge of staying consistent and pushing through setbacks, but each obstacle helped me grow stronger and more focused on my vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work centers on capturing the raw energy of hip hop culture and bringing it to life through film, photography, and travel storytelling. With Trap Journalist I highlight the voices and stories of the streets and the music industry, giving people an authentic look at the culture. I also run Secret Smart Shop, an e-commerce platform where I offer merchandise that represents my brand and lifestyle. Beyond Atlanta, I travel internationally to places like Medellín, Dubai, and Tokyo, blending luxury travel with hip hop flavor to show how the culture connects worldwide. Everything I do is about building platforms that inspire people to create, travel, and chase their passions while staying true to who they are.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, my plan is to continue growing as a creative and entrepreneur by building a solid production team, upgrading my equipment, and expanding my reach on YouTube. I want to scale my brands Trap Journalist and Secret Smart Shop, release more merchandise, and partner with artists, companies, and other creatives who align with my vision. I am also planning to travel more to create content that blends hip hop culture with global experiences. Overall, I am focused on scaling my platforms, building new partnerships, and taking things to the next level while inspiring others to invest in themselves and follow their passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/younggank
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younggank/
- Twitter: https://x.com/younggank
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@younggank
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@young.gank?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
@trapjournalist
