Tell us about your story and how you got to where you are?

During my 6th grade year in middle school, I took a media elective class that taught me how to make beats on the Ipad using garageband. I started off using Apple Loops for fun, but then I started wondering how the professional beats I heard from my favorite artists were made. I watched YouTube videos 24/7 on how producers make and structure beats. After practicing every single day for years straight, I eventually developed the craft of making full length beats and I have been growing my skill in production ever since.

My cousin Jamari passed away at age 15 in 2017 and I was only 12 years old at the time. One of Jamari’s close friends named King Chase released an EP to honor my cousin’s passing. I respected Chase a lot for it and I wanted to do the same, so I created my own EP titled “Bussdown Mari'' in honor of my cousin. That was my first time ever rapping. I did the same with rapping, as I did with beats. I listened to all kinds of music, paying attention to how artists structure their lyrics and use successful flow and rhymes. Over the past 8 years I have watched hundreds, maybe even thousands of videos on different jobs in the music industry and how to do them.

What has been your biggest obstacle in your journey as an artist?

The biggest obstacle in my journey as an artist has been doing everything myself. Most artists buy beats off producers, some artists book studio sessions to record, pay engineers, etc. but I chose to learn the art of recording and mixing/mastering myself. I create my own cover arts, YouTube visualizers, and I promote myself. It’s hard maintaining greatness in school, music, and socially, but I know it takes a lot of work to make it to the top.

What lessons have you learned?

Doing music has taught me that everyone has different tastes in music and it’s okay to like what you like. No one else can tell you what music is good or not, it is all opinionated. I learned to just be original and create the music that I want to create, without caring if anyone says it sucks or not. I also learned that music is so powerful to everyone because it contains different sounds, notes, and decibels that can manipulate the human brain. Happy songs make us feel happy and sad songs make us feel sad. Knowing that I can talk about my issues, while helping someone else deal with theirs is something that makes me happy.

Tell us about your music; how would you describe your sound?

I always told myself to be original with my music. I am a rap artist, but I also am a producer. So I have a bigger say on what my sound is. I go for all kinds of sounds depending on how I’m feeling, I wouldn’t put myself in a box and say that I’m a specific sound, because I’m not. I can make a song while I’m sad and it will come out sad, or I can make one while I’m turnt up and it will come out turnt. It all just depends on my mood and how I’m feeling while I make a song. 

What other artists would you compare yourself to?

Lil Wayne is the greatest spitter ever in my opinion, so it’s only right that I give credit to him for how I style my raps. I’ve always tried to have that no stop flow, where I just go bar for bar the whole song with no hooks. So if I had to compare myself to an artist, it would be Lil Wayne and probably Kendrick Lamar too. I try my best to keep that black soul alive in my music. I try to uplift my people in my music, rather than put them down like 99% of other rappers. 

If you could work with any artists, who would you choose?

I would definitely choose to work with Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West.

What sets you apart from other artists?

The main thing that sets me apart from artists is that I don’t talk down on my people. I don’t talk about shooting any of my brothers and sisters, and I don’t talk about the distribution of drugs to my brothers and sisters. I might talk about having multiple girls, but it’s never in a disrespectful way. I value my black queens. I value the black race and I will always show that in my music.

What should we know about your work?

I do EVERYTHING involving my music. From making beats, to writing lyrics, to recording myself in my room, to engineering/mixing, etc. I wanted to figure out how I can make music without spending a lot of money, so I came to the conclusion to just learn everything.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to get a college education and pursue a music career as well. Music is never guaranteed to gain a lot of success, so I will pursue an education at a four-year university as well.

What motivates you, or keeps you going?

What motivates me to continue doing music, is using music as a venting tool. Whether I am talking about something sad, happy, or mad, I will continue to talk about how I feel. Another motivation is the reasons I started making music. I started making music to honor my loved ones that passed away, so I continue to honor them through music.

Tell us something that might surprise people about you.

I am a top Madden player. I love to play Madden whenever I have free time. And sometimes Fortnite. Mostly Madden though, I don’t think anyone can beat me in Madden when I’m warmed up.

How do you define success?

Success is when you achieve the goals that you have set out for yourself. Every person needs to live for themselves, so they need to make sure they set and achieve it, then they will find success. 

Tell us about any projects or music you have coming out.

I just released Class of 2023, my 2nd album on April 7, 2023. I have a compilation project coming out soon sometime with multiple artists. I’m glad to give the world new music that I have in store for them.

How can people find you and contact you?

My instagram is @yungkiddc. Snapchat is @realyungkiddc. Twitter is @YungKiddC1. Website is stoniedotmusic.com. My youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHAOoueMJVdSWo7kIY0THsQ