INTERVIEWS - Ya Boy

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Ya Boy is the number one unsigned rap artist on myspace and has been pushing his music throughout his home town of San Francisco as well as the rest of the country creating a huge buzz around his name. Ya Boy is regarded by many to be what the rap game needs. Underground Rap Scene caught up with Ya Boy to talk about his rise to the top:

Underground Rap Scene:

Before we start, I want to thank you for doing the interview and congratulate you on being the number one unsigned rap artist on myspace.com.

Now I know you got your start in the rap game when you were 18 years old, could you touch on what you were doing before you started rapping, and how you came to the decision that rap was your future?

Ya Boy:

BEFORE I STARTED RAPPING I WAS SITTIN IN THA HOOD OBSERVIN ANY AND ALL OPPORTUNITIES TO GET UP OUT THAT MUTHAFUCKA, I KNEW RAP WAS MY FUTURE WHEN I PUT OUT MY FIRST SONG AND IT IMMEDIATLEY WAS A HIT ON THE RADIO.

Underground Rap Scene:

For you, what was it like coming up in San Francisco and trying to make it big in the Rap Game? Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make a name for yourself in the Hyphy capital of the world? Also, what’s your favorite part about being from The Bay?

Ya Boy:

GROWIN UP IN SF WAS KOOL, SF IS A PLACE WHERE PIMPIN AND HUSTLIN IS A 9 TO 5 JOB, ALL MY INFLUENCES WERE THE GANGSTAZ HUSTLAZ AN PIMPS. THE ADVANTAGES OF TRYING TO MAKE A NAME OUT OF THE HYPHY CAPITOL IS IT BROUGHT A LOT OF ATTENTION, DISADVANTAGE IS SOME PEOPLE THINK EVERYONE IS LIKE THAT OUT HERE, I JUS ALWAYS DID ME AN EVERYONE LOVES AN RESPECTS THE PERSON THAT I AM.. MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEIN FROM THE BAY IS THE BAY IS WHERE ALL THA GAME COMES FROM, U GOT TO BE A SHARP MUTHAFUCKA MENTALY TO SURVIVE OUT THERE

Underground Rap Scene:

Now I know your uncle Phat Rat is one of the main guys with Black Wall Street, but explain how you first came about working with powerful artists, producers, and DJ’s in the music scene such as The Game, Scott Storch, and Nu Jerzey Devil?

Ya Boy:

EXACTLY WUT U JUS SAID MY UNCLE PHAT RAT MADE ALL THAT POSSIBLE, FROM THA DAY HE CAME AN GOT ME OUT THE HOOD ITS BEEN A FULL PRESS TO TAKE THIS INDUSTRY OVER.

Underground Rap Scene:

Your Debut Album, Rookie of the Year, featured Turf Talk and E-40, arguably some of the best rappers the Bay has to offer. Could you share some of your experiences working with these artists as well as other Bay rappers?

Ya Boy:

WORKING WITH THOSE ARTISTS WAS A COOL EXPERIENCE I WAS STILL YOUNG AND FRESH AND HAD A LOT TO LEARN, I DEFINATELY LEARNED A FEW THINGS FROM E-40

Underground Rap Scene:

In addition to working with famous Bay rappers, I know you were helping Kevin Federline write songs for his debut album. What was it like working with Britney Spear’s ex-husband? And what did you learn while ghost writing for his album?

Ya Boy:

WORKIN WIT K FED AND BRIT HELPED ME TO SEE THE MUSIC BUSINESS AT A HIGH LEVEL.

Underground Rap Scene:

What did your first major single, “sixteen’s with me” do for you as far as opening doors in the industry?

Ya Boy:

IT GOT MY NAME OUT THERE IN THE BAY

Underground Rap Scene:

What is your opinion of the Mixtape scene for underground artists and how did your first solo mixtape, “Future of the Franchise,” which sold 10,000 copies in the first month alone, help you get to where you are today?

Ya Boy:

I LOVE THE MIXTAPE SCENE IT DEFINATLEY HELPS ARTISTS TRYIN TO GET PUT ON, ME DROPPIN MY FIRST MIXTAPE SELLING 10,000 IN THE FIRST MONTH ALONE WITH HARDLY NO NAME WAS HUGE BECAUSE IT SHOWED THAT I HAD A FOLLOWING

Underground Rap Scene:

Taking a step away from your rapping career for a moment, tell us a little bit about your music label, Precise Music Group, and what you have been doing to get that label off the ground?

Ya Boy:

PRECISE MUSIC GROUP IS THA FUTURE OF MUSIC PERIOD. THE WAY WE KNOW MUSIC IS NO MORE.IT IS THE BIGGEST ONLINE MUSIC LABEL IN THE MAKING

Underground Rap Scene:

What are you currently working on, and when you aren’t busy in the studio how are you spending your time?

Ya Boy:

IM BUSY WORKING ON AN ADVANCED LEVEL OF MY ARTIST DEVELOPMENT. THE REST OF THE TIME IM BEATIN ANY PAVEMENT IN SIGHT DOIN MY PUSHUPS

Underground Rap Scene:

Who would you say is your biggest influence?

Ya Boy:

MY UNCLE PHATRAT AND INGVAR KAMPRAD

Underground Rap Scene:

Who are you listening to when you aren’t playing your own tracks?

Ya Boy:

IM LISTENIN TO PHAT RATS HIP HOP MINISTRIES VOL. 1 COMIN SOON

Underground Rap Scene:

When do you expect to release your next album? And will your next album be released under your music group, Precise Music Group?

Ya Boy:

MY NEXT ALBUM DEFINATELY WILL BE RELEASED UNDER 2 MAJOR LABELS (PRECISE MUSIC GROUP/???)

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you touch on what you’ve learned from going on tour to promote your music and performing with other up-and-coming, as well as established artists?

Ya Boy:

IVE LEARNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PERFORMANCE AND BULLSHIT, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STAR AND A SUPERSTAR

Underground Rap Scene:

Finally, what are you trying to accomplish through your music? And when you do finally sign to a major deal, how will your presence change the mainstream rap game?

Ya Boy:

ONCE AGAIN IM ALREADY SIGNED TO A MAJOR, PRECISE MUSIC GROUP (MY LABEL).FURTHERMORE, MY PRESENCE HAS ALREADY AND WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THE STREETS BUT I AM THE BIGGEST ARTIST ONLINE IN THE WORLD, IF U FIND A NIGGA WIT A BIGGER BUZZ THAN ME HES A DAMN LIE

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank you for your time.