In the world of singer-songwriters, it’s not just about talent, it’s about having that grit and determination that won’t quit. Without it, breaking into the music biz feels like trying to tackle Everest in your sneakers. It’s about putting your heart on the line, connecting with people on a deeper level, and letting your soul shine through in every note.
In steps Youngsmoove, a prime example of resilience and determination. Despite hitting roadblock after roadblock, he’s staying laser-focused on his path to musical stardom. The twinkle in his eye says it all – music is his lifeblood, coursing through every fiber of his being. Today, in this no-holds-barred interview, Youngsmoove’s letting us peek behind the curtain, dishing on his music, upcoming album, and the unique challenges of being an indie artist. He’s laying it all out there, sharing the highs and lows of his journey, and dropping some serious wisdom for any up-and-comers brave enough to chase their dreams against the odds. Youngsmoove proved himself to be an exceptionally astute and articulate conversationalist, making our dialogue nothing short of remarkable. It was a captivating conversation, marked by profound reflections and thought-provoking ideas.
photo by Theodore Winters
Hello Youngsmoove! It’s great to have this opportunity to chat with you. I wanted to start by diving into your roots. Yazoo City, Mississippi, carries a deep musical legacy. I’m curious, how does the vibrant local culture and heritage of your hometown shape your music? Are there any particular aspects of Yazoo City’s influence that you find yourself drawing inspiration from in your creative process?
Hey, first off, I would like to thank you for having me and yes, Yazoo City has a rich and diverse musical heritage particularly in the realm of delta blues. It has always been known for its deep roots in Blues with legendary musicians like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, who had strong ties to the area. Even though Yazoo does have quite a bit of musical history, I honestly can’t say that it had an influence on my musical style. I was mostly influenced by R&B artists such as Chris Brown and Usher which is very different from the rooted music of blues that my city is known for.
I’m really interested in your journey as an artist. Transitioning from being part of a group to pursuing a solo career can be quite the transformation. How did that shift shape you personally and creatively? And looking back, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned from that experience?
Oh yes well, the group I was in consisted of me, my brother and a friend of ours from school. It was a cool experience. The shift of being part of a group to a solo career indeed is a significant transformation for any artist, but the transition for me has been a journey of self discovery, growth, and adaptation to new challenges and opportunities. In fact, my brother was actually the one that gave me my stage name, Youngsmoove, because when we we first put the group together, we decided to make up stage names. We were going through different names and he was like, what about Youngsmoove since you always say you smooth with the ladies! And I was like, okay.. okay I like that. lol! And that’s been my name ever since! So, thanks bro! We would have events here and there, but most of the time it would never fall through and the process was just moving too slow for us. We didn’t have a team or anything.. We were just 15 and 16 year old kids trying to make a name for ourselves and didn’t have the slightest idea of what we were doing or what direction we were going in. All we knew is that we wanted to perform and be like the next B2k or something. But we were getting older, and our creativity was changing. And what I mean by that is that you know as we got older we went through things like relationships and made mistakes. And you know I wanted to write about the things that I experienced but it wasn’t really a good fit for the other guys. So, I told my brother that I wanted to start my solo journey and he was totally supportive of my decision. Both of the guys were. So I had to get use to being out there on my own and I eventually got comfortable with it. And here we are today.
I’d like to touch on your latest three singles. They all lean towards the R&B style, and you excel in it. What inspires you to create such music? Which elements of this genre do you find particularly inspiring?
Well, I’ll say that a lot of the music that I write is mostly from experience. I can really channel in when there is a particular emotion involved like with my single “Home Alone” and “Ride.” They are very sexual songs and those were the things that I was experiencing at that time. But to answer the second part of the question, R&B is just passionate.. like you can really get in deep with your emotions in this genre of music. And that’s me personally because I grew up in the 90’s era of R&B listening to guys like Tyrese, Tank, Usher etc. And if you’re a kid growing up in the 90’s, then you know how R&B music was back then.. so yeah. But I’m starting to learn to change it up a little for you guys.
In “Home Alone,” your vocals exude passion and vulnerability. How do you tap into these emotions while recording, and do you have any rituals to get into the right mindset?
Well, I don’t have any rituals I just lock into that emotion. When I was writing this song, I was just listening to the beat. And as I was listening, I was thinking about an experience that I had. And it just flowed out. You gotta be able to feel it. And I’m pretty sure a lot of people have had that type of experience and can relate to the song, young or old.
photo by Theodore Winters
“Family Christmas” is a departure from your usual style. Can you share the inspiration behind this festive track?
Yes, it sure is totally different than what I usually put out but that goes back to what I was saying.. changing it up a little for you guys. In fact, I’ve always wanted to do a Christmas song. So, I said to myself, hey, I’m gonna do one this Christmas. The inspiration for the song came from family, of course. Not just my family, but families all over the world who can enjoy this song. I wanted to do a song that would be timeless. Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross, the Temptations and so many other great artists have these timeless Christmas songs. They will just put you in the Christmas spirit when that time of the year comes around every year. That’s the type of song I was aiming for. I like that old school beat to go with it.. It’s different. And different is something that I always aim to do. By the way, I had an amazing song writer to help make “Family Christmas” what it is. I told her my vision and she helped make the song come to life. So, a huge shoutout goes to Kristen Walker.
Let’s talk about “More Than Just Lyrics” – your upcoming debut Album. Could you give us a sneak peek into what themes or sonic directions we might expect from this upcoming album?
Yes, this album is going to be a good one! It’s more of an introduction to presenting myself to the world. The name itself “More Than Just Lyrics” explains it all. Because the songs that’s going to be on this album are tapping into my deepest emotions when it comes to love and other things that I’ve been through in my life. I’m trying to be more of an open book and authentic so it’s a very personal project. But it’s going to have some fun songs on there as well. So just get ready for something new for your ears.
Music is clearly a huge part of your life, but I’m curious if you have any other creative outlets or hobbies that influence your artistry. How do these activities complement your life and perhaps even inspire your music in unexpected ways?
Most definitely music is huge for me. It’s my passion. My other hobbies include writing. I love to write and work out. But I’m not going to lie. I don’t really think about any other hobbies cause when I’m locked in on something I’m fully focused on that. I guess you can say I have a one track mind.. if you wanna put it that way, lol.
As we look ahead to 2024, what are your plans and aspirations for the upcoming year? Are there any specific goals or milestones you’re aiming to achieve in your musical career or personal life?
Of course, this year I plan on making a lot more noise as an artist and putting out more great music for my fans. This album is at the top of my list for 2024 and I’m just excited for the world to hear it. And as for goals or milestones for this year.. Well, my goals will be to get this album done fa sho and be in a position to be able to give my loved ones any and everything they want. Get my dream house, my dream car etc. We are going to get there soon, trust me. Winning a grammy would be nice, if Lord says the same! And winning a few will be very nice, lol!
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, outside of the music industry, who would it be and why?
I will say Coco Jones. I love Coco Jones. Her voice is amazing and so powerful. I would love to work with her one day. I think we could make something really special. By the way, is there anyway she can see this? lol. But yes, she is amazing, and I love all her work and I think our voices will blend great together.
When you’re not busy creating music, how do you like to unwind and recharge?
Well, I like to get away and sit by the water and just clear my mind. Sometimes it’s so much going on and things are moving so fast that I just need that alone time. Taking a ride around town and going to the gym helps me to recharge also. I love to workout. That’s pretty much it because I’m always doing something with music. I don’t sit around too long cause it’s a lot of work to be done.
Indie Boulevard Magazine 