Talented kid from the streets gets once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove his talent on the world stage. Tinseltown fantasy or real life? Meet 21-year-old West Coast rapper YG who is signed to Def Jam Records.
It had been 15 years since the infamous Def Jam Records had approached a West Coast rapper with a recording contract. That was until they came across YG. At just 19 years of age, YG signed with the prestigious label in 2009 and began feverishly writing and recording. With the help of hit single Toot It and Boot It, YG found himself on a surreal track to stardom. He is currently working on a new album and is set to drop a mixtape in a few weeks.
The recently turned 21-year-old is having the time of his life: a growing fan base, countless birthday celebrations, radio airplay, and a blossoming career. While in the studio to put the finishing touches on his mixtape, YG sat down to explain how he landed his deal with Def Jam and how he’s celebrating his new-found success.
How did you hook up with Def Jam Records?
Before it happened, I was popping in the streets in LA and all over. I put out music on the internet like crazy and then I had to go to jail for four months. When I was in jail, my promotion team at the time, we used a promotion team called Pussy Inc., were promoting my music real crazy. I was in jail and I had to turn myself in. Before I turned myself in, I made a song called Free YG so I put it out the day I turned myself in and the song just blew up on the internet. All my songs just blow up on the internet. I shot a video to Toot It and Boot It and put it out when I was in jail – the first video, and then it blew up. After I got out of jail, three months later, I got signed to Def Jam because there was somebody I knew that knew the dude who signed me and the dude that I knew was like ‘oh yeah, he poppin’ and I’m gonna hook you up with my dude.’ That’s how I got hooked up with Def Jam’s Max Gousse. I had a meeting with him and he was like, ‘Oh yeah man. I like your stuff.’ I was like, ‘I got a show in Hollywood, and you should come out.’ He came to the show and saw me rock it and it was crazy. After that he flew me to New York a week later then I came back out here and after that I got signed.
Are you allowed to tell us what you went to jail for?
Residential burglary.
You just had a big 21st birthday celebration. How was that?
It’s crazy. I had a party at Drai’s on Wednesday, the night of my birthday March 9. Then I went to the Bay and I had two parties out there on Friday and Saturday then I came back on Sunday and I had a party on Monday at Colony in Hollywood. It was crazy. It ain’t done yet. I’ve got a party tomorrow at the Highlands then I’m going to Vegas on Saturday – 21st birthday party crazy – like eight parties!
Where in Vegas?
The Aria – pool party in the club.
You know how to celebrate your birthday.
Hell yeah.
So what has been the best party yet…or do you think the Vegas one will be the best?
I don’t know. I gotta see. I gotta go through all of them first.
And you’re shooting a video tomorrow…
Yep. I’m shooting a video tomorrow with me, Tiger, and Nipsey Hussle. It’s a song off my mixtape. We’re gonna do my scene in my hood, which is in Compton. We’re gonna do Nipsey’s scene where’s he’s from then we’re gonna do Tiger’s scene where he’s from where he’ll be with his homies and stuff.
Are you working on new material or are you pretty much done writing for now?
I’m writing but my mixtape is like sewed up though. We’re mixing it right now at the studio. We’re gonna put it out in a week or two, it’s gonna be crazy.
And you have a new album coming out. When will that be out?
Yeah, I’ve got an album called First On Campus. It should be out by the end of this year. I want to put it out at the top of next year so I can build my fanbase up this year.
Toot It And Boot It has been a big hit for you. Did that take off faster than expected?
I didn’t know it was going to do what it did but I knew the song was a big song because when I put it out, everyone started talking about it. Every time I performed it, wherever I was at, I always performed that song last and it was like the craziest song. I knew there was something special with that song.
What is the song about in your own words?
Going to Vegas and having fun for one night – a one-night stand.
Maybe it will be the story of your birthday party.
Yep. You already know!
The anthem of your 21st birthday party?
That’s the anthem of life you feel me? Toot It And Boot It – it’s a lifestyle.
What does YG stand for?
YG stands for Young Gangster.
You’re covered in tattoos. What is your favourite?
My favourite tattoo is the one on the back of my neck and the side of my head because I’ve got Jesus’ face and it says God’s son and on the back of my neck I’ve got R.I.P. Delilah (my cousin) with angel wings.
Did you shave your head and then they tatted under your hair?
Yep. I usually have my hair cut like bald on the side so you can see all of my tattoos.
So how does it feel to be 21 and legally able to do all the things you’ve been doing already?!
I am drinking every day. Every morning I wake up and sip some. I’m faded right now; just living life faded. It’s wonderful.
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