YB2K

Background and Influences:

Who are some of your biggest influences?

I would say as far as finding my sound and really creating an influence as an artist Rod Wave and Cole take the top 2 spots. But there are other artists such as Nip, Drake, and Em that still inspire me.

Where are you from?

I was born in Ethiopia a small town called Dire Dawa, but I finished my highschool/college years here in Seattle so a mix of both towns really.

How has your upbringing and experiences impacted the type of music you make?

Honestly, as the above question states I have been blessed enough to be brought up in 2 different cultures, whether it is the music, people, or the way of life in general. Through all that I really seen a lot of ups and downs in life; losing people I grew up with, leaving home, adapting to a new home/environment, growing up with not a lot, and a lot of other things I won’t go into depth with and still persevering and coming out strong. I try and embody all that in my music and relay a real life experience of not just who I am but what goes on around me.

What was the first song you ever released and can you still find it online?

Haaa first song I ever released was called Solo Street, released that joint my junior year of highschool. And no you can’t find it anywhere right now lol.

Creative Process:

Where or what do you get most of your inspiration from?

My inspiration with music comes really from my lived experience, I don’t want to just talk about the generic stuff, I want someone to listen to my music and come out inspired you feel me or at least feel like they’re heard. Cause at the end of the day that’s what real music is, and that’s what keeps me going cause the best thing you can do in this life is leave someone inspired with whatever you’re doing.

Can you walk us through a typical songwriting process?

My creative process goes one of 2 ways I either think of an idea and send it to one of my producers and have’em send a beat and I just finish whatever I started. Or I just hop inna booth and just listen to a beat and say whatever is on my mind at the time. Just depends on what I’m feeling that day.

How do you know when a song is finished?

I personally don’t believe you can ever finish a song to the fullest. Like I could listen to my past releases now and be like damn I coulda done did this here, or I coulda added a harmony/layer here. It’s just a gray area and at the end it’s about making sure you said what you wanted to say and delivered it to your best abilities in that moment in time. Cause you’re always evolving and growing.

What are some challenges you face when writing and recording a song?

Writer’s block man, that’s a real thing and can just kess up with you’re creative process.

Do you have any rituals or routines that help you write?

Nah I got nun, just hop inna both and do what I gotta do.

Music Career and Goals:

What is your main goal for your music career?

I would’ve never started this if I thought I couldn’t take it to the fullest. I want to be able to sell out arenas, be on the billboard charts, inspire people from different backgrounds, and take care of those around me with this craft. You don’t want to do something and not think you can’t be the best because I truly believe that hard work beats talent and that’s something I feel that no one does better than me. You gotta be your biggest fan and your biggest critic.

How do you reach a new audience?

Honestly just indulging yourself in various genres (it could be listening to other tracks and you might end up sampling it you feel me even if the track is in a different genre than what you’re doing), collaborating with various artists, and producers. You just gotta do what you can to be everywhere cause that’s what being successful in music comes down to; you gotta have that exposure.

How do you handle criticism?

I mean I’ve seen my fair share of it, some of them be genuine and come from a place of wanting to see you grow. You can’t be ignorant and think you got it all figured out you feel me. Cause the biggest room you can find is the room for improvement, but at the same time there be some dumb comments and you just gotta be ignorant enough to that stuff and learn to not bother, cause you can’t ever please everyone in this world. Even the greatest of all times had people hating on their stuff so it all just comes down to taking the constructive criticism and ignoring the haters and doing you; finding that perfect balance you feel me.

What message are you trying to convey through your music?

I came from nothing I didn’t have much all I’m trynna do with what I’m doing is to show people there is no limits as to what you can do. I be getting dms, and even people telling me in real life how they mess with the hustle and get inspired and that’s all I’m trying to convey. Cause for me it’s more than music it’s about being extraordinary in whatever you’re doing, you feel me got one life to live might as well make the most out of it! Just gotta find your purpose and mine happened to be in this music.

What are your current thoughts about the music scene in your city?

We def got some talent inna city, just be hella politicin honestly, and whoever is on don’t wanna give the next man in line the blueprint and whoever is trynna make it out don’t wanna see another person get the shine. And I feel like that’s the biggest reason why we get overlooked when compared to other areas in the west like Cali and stuff. But we do got the talent for it fasho!

What are some of the biggest challenges you have navigating the music industry?

Nun bro, everything has its challenges and its ups and downs. Music is no different, long as you stay consistent you’re always 1 hit away from blowing up.

Delve Deeper:

Can you share the most pivotal moment in your music career so far?

Honestly I’d say the Mariah concert at UW. Opened a lot of doors for me and having around 3000 people singing along to an unreleased song just solidified for me that I can really take this all the way. And I been blessed enough in my 2 years of taking music seriously to be able to ink a deal, work with other established artists (whether it’s opening up or getting features), and I plan on keeping my foot on the pedal and taking it all the way.

How do you balance being an artist and making music with other aspects of your life?

Man Music is everything for me tight now, I’m at the point where I’m a full time artist now you feel me. Don’t get me wrong doing that means you gotta treat it like a business and every business needs funds (whether it’s bread or time), but you just gotta do what you gotta do to go and chase that dream and make it come true.

What advice would you give an aspiring artist or someone thinking of becoming an artist?

Don’t let up, stay at it. You’ll never know how big you can be until you go and shoot your shot. You feel me as long as you’re heart’s beating you should not let anything get in between you and your dreams.