My City: Youngs Is Not Your Normal Rapper

When I posted Youngs' dope new track "Him & Her" I did a little research and, I have to admit, was surprised to discover that he hails from the idyllically named city of Normal, Illinois. I was intrigued. Could Normal actually be an extraordinary place for hip-hop? (No more bad puns, I promise). Here to answer all my burning questions is Youngs himself, who takes a moment to break down how what life is like for a rapper trying to make it "amongst corn fields and universities."

RefinedHype: It's safe to say Normal, Illinois isn't a well known city in the national hip-hop scene. Do you feel people look or listen to your music differently when they know where you're from?

Youngs: In many ways they have to! People want to categorize music, but with Normal its a place that dwells deep in the roots of acoustic rock, punk, jam bands and alternative. If it isnt any of the above then its generally an obscure sound that can usually be swallowed with an acquired taste. Even then it still leaves much to be desired. There are literally no hip hop venues here. We make them. We get houses packed, apartments shaking and yet still no venues to support hip hop. With a place like this you almost dont know what to expect lyrically. They see Illinois so they expect Chicago. They expect Common, Kanye, Lupe. I've been compared to the like in some ways for it, but honestly if you listen to a whole EP/mixtape of mine you will find its really a style of its own. This confuses folks because catergorizing promotes comfortability for people.

RefinedHype: As opposed to a larger city like New York or L.A., how do you think your music and career has been affected by living in Normal?

Youngs: It has definitely taken longer to get a hold of a loyal fan base. This is hip hop. People need street cred. ha. I cant do that. I live amongst corn fields and universities. Locals don't quite understand it because again hip hop isnt played here; not that real hip hop anyway. It's really going against the grain here. Its almost like being the best player on the worst team. I get shine because no one is really playing the game the way Im playing it here. The trick is getting on the proverbial "ESPN highlight reel". So when I come back home it makes it easier to get shows than other emcee's here. It's not all bad though. In that same light, if an artist's career launches he/she takes the city with him. Putting a city on the map is essential to sticking around for a while. It's almost a prerequisite now a days. I feel like that factor is working in my favor.

RefinedHype: Where do you go to get inspired.

Youngs: Oddly enough, Normal is a great place to keep my mind open. While its open I just let my thoughts dump out as they are. I grew up in the St Louis area and came to Normal for college. With everyone enthralled by the whole Nelly fad and gangster rap there, it makes it hard to gain ground. While in St Louis I found that my lyrics to most of it's natives were impalpable. When I moved to Normal I really felt my energy and creativity flourish. It was truly invigorating. The best thing about Normal is that it's not necessarily a huge spot for materialism and flaunting goods. There are mostly people finding the meaning to finding the meaning if you know what I mean. It's a very eccentric crowd there in Normal. Now that I'm touring more I am out of Normal more so than not, I taught myself on the road that inspiration comes from life. Anything from new stepping stones to building bridges to depression can inspire. There is no bad inspiration. I have made some of my most beautiful songs with the ugliest thoughts in mind. It has made it easier because I go to the mind to find inspiration now more so than an environment.

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

Youngs: I along with the other emcee's cooling out in Normal are nerds. ha. While I'm there I never get out unless I have a show there. I've been just too busy with projects. So you can find me at home writing and recording, or on campus gathering creativity from on the Illinois State quad. It's pretty peaceful and serene after most of the classes are over and its left by itself.

RefinedHype: Last words?

Youngs: Absolutely. Thanks for having me for this interview. Its whole heartedly appreciated. As far as last words go.. I do want to take time to let it be known that I do have an EP out entitled "Once Upon a Time" produced solely by SoulTree out of L.A. and I will be dropping an EP this march with production by DJ Green out of Portland. This summer will be my debut LP entitled "The Remote Controlled Revolution" in May. That LP is produced by DJ Mozaic of Michigan. Also even later down the line there is a Project that Im working on with Savant of RAREBREED. The whole project is laced by Grandpa-J. He's extremely innovative. I've done an EP with Granpa-J before called "The Jenerational Gap".

And I encourage all to get in tune to the music group that I have recent latched on to. The RAREBREED Extended Family Music Group. This includes CDot the Catalyst, Savant of RAREBREED, and James John of Divine Minds. You have my word that all of them are upper echelon individuals as well as emcees.

James John just released a Mixtape today! Called "Badu In The Basement".
Savant released his EP "The Delayed Entry" last year
Charity The Catalyst released a mixtape last year also called "Forced To Freestyle"
James John also release a mixtape called "ON Black Coffee, Peace, and Progression"

These are all gems! Thank you again for having me!