My City: Young Scolla, D is for Detroit (Exclusive Interview)

Life has never been easy in Detroit, but the collapse of the auto industry, once the life blood of the city, has left Detroit is dire straits. But from that hardship comes great music and great artists, artists like Young Scolla (whose "Escaping Reality" EP recently became a personal favorite). In the latest edition of our My City series, Scolla talks about how his D-Town home has affected his music and explains that if you're looking for him, Tony Rone's Barbershop is a safe bet.

RefinedHype: You hail from Detroit, a city that's seen more than its fair share of problems. Has the city's hard times affected your music?

Young Scolla: Anything monumental that occurs in my city affects me because I'm from there. I know the people that walk those streets and live in those neighborhoods because I'm from them. My music is a direct reflection of my environment and my life and that of those around me so it's these times that inspire a lot of what I discuss in my lyrics, especially as it relates to me.

RefinedHype: Detroit hip-hop is known nationally for it's more hardcore rap. Is there a diversity to the Detroit hip-hop scene that we don't see?

Young Scolla: Haha thats a new one, I didn't know that we were known for that. We're definitely aggressive and passionate people because thats how you're raised to be coming from where we're from but as for our hip-hop scene there is most definitely diversity. Many of our artists, such as my self were influenced by the motown era so there is always that element of soul and depth to the music but there are so many different sounds and perspective coming out of the city that it makes us such a melting pot. There are no two artists alike we all individually bring our own vibes and sonics to the table.

RefinedHype: Where do you go to get inspired?

Young Scolla:There really isn't any specific place, I'm pretty inspired when I wake up every morning. Everyday life inspires me. One thing I can say though it that I like to feed off of and into cenergy with other artists during writing sessions. When my USR camp and I are all in the studio working, we always leave with crazy material.

RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through Detroit where can I find you?

Young Scolla: A Coney, Belle Isle (In the summer time), Tony Rone's Barbershop, Atonal Studios, Lou's Deli, Northland Mall (If I "HAVE TO" grab a white tee or something last minute lol) otherwise, Somerset Mall, Revive Boutique, Halftime and couple other hot spots.

RefinedHype: Last words?

Young Scolla: Thanks to RefinedHype and everyone who has been supporting the movement, it never goes unnoticed. Big Props to my team USR/Fab 5 ENT/ I need everyone to make sure to look out for "Renaissance Dreams" & "Confessions Of The Soulful". Michigan, We're In There!