Exposed Vocals caught an exclusive with Ybeezy
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Ybeezy: I came up in a little county right outside of Louisville Kentucky, growing up was a struggle from living in poverty, being around drugs, and some violence but ma dukes did her best to make sure me and my sisters never went without. I’ve always had love for music since I was 6, I came home after fighting lung cancer and seen my uncle Micah rapping and I was like “let me try” and ever since then you can say he created a monster, I guess you can say he was my inspiration, he had a big impact on me as an artists
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Ybeezy: Well my original nickname was Buddah which was given to me by my sister the day I was born, I guess cause I was a chubby little baby lol since then that’s what everyone calls me, so I took it and ran with it. My friends decided to put a little flare behind it and started calling me YB or Ybeezy and it kind of stuck to me, so that’s where I get the name from.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Ybeezy: I love it, it gives people like me the chance to spread the talent and let you be heard not only locally but even people from other states, cities, even countries. As of now all of my music is free, for one I want to build my fan base and give them a taste of what they’re gonna get once I make it to the next level.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Ybeezy: I haven’t had the chance to do a show or get any airplay but I have some stuff in the works after I drop my project “Energetic” But I would definitely tell them to push your music and grind, let people know who you are and what you want to do, don’t let any hate, jealousy, or doubt hold you back from your dreams.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Ybeezy: My music thrives off of what I’ve been through, from what I grew up around, the things I’ve done, and things I’ve seen. I let my music tell my story. I love to freestyle cause that’s when I can get as creative as I want, sometimes I’ll go back and review my lyrics and I might be like “yea I need to write that down” If I like it, keep it, if I don’t, trash it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Ybeezy: I use soundcloud.com a whole lot, people show me love on there and give me feedback which in my position as a musician right now is what I need. I love feedback because it helps me know what the people want and lets me work on my craft. People can go check my page out at https://soundcloud.com/yung-buddah
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Ybeezy: Aww man, I would definitely help the less fortunate as much as I can cause I know what its like to be down and out, I know what the struggle can be like. I would also have to take me and my people out on some type of trip cause it is well deserved for all of us, I want them and myself to see something better in life rather than posting up in the hood all day.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Ybeezy: I share it on all of my social media and try gaining more supporters, If I drop something new I tag a couple of friends and they do the same, the goal is to get more and more people to hop on the wave, I let people know what I’m doing here. I love sharing my music and seeing the response I get from people.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Ybeezy: Im working on a mixtape called “Energetic” its gonna be real nice and hopefully something everyone can bump and sort of relate to, I called it that because that’s how I’ve been feeling lately and I want people to feel that energy, that good feeling when you know you’ve been putting in work and grinding.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Ybeezy: Minimum wage has never been enough for me, flipping burgers or bustin tables is not what I want to settle for in life so I’d either be striving to go to college or be out here in these streets, its sad to say but its life and we all have to find a way to make ends meet.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Ybeezy: I basically just have to keep my priorities in order, If there is something I have to take care I focus on that itself, I can’t put my all into something that’s not getting me paid, we all have to survive and we all have responsibilities to take care of, once that’s done then you can go have your fun.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Ybeezy: A lot more music and features, the more they support me and show the love the more progress will be made, I feel an artists can’t go anywhere without the support and love from the fans