YO$I delves on his creative tastes, musical influences & new single “Stealing My Swag”
Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself.
Hello, my name is Silva, but I go by YO$I. Pronounced (YAH-ZEE). At first I went by Silva, which is my real name, but there were too many people from brazil that had that name as a artist so I had to create something different that sets me apart from the others. I got together with my mom and my sister sonyae, and we came up with a few ideas. I had to be different but sound cool at the same time. We said young sil, then young Silva, then I think my mom said put it together, YO for young, Si for Silva, then I added the dollar sign $ because I’m about money. Then my sister Sonyae changed the sound from yoo-see, to YAH-ZEE, it was then that we created the name of a star !
I was born and raised in New Jersey, even though I moved to different places after living there for 10 years, I still remain the same, talk the same, and carry myself the same. People always say I don’t sound like I’m not from around ! I would like to think it’s just because of where I’m from, but because of how I’ve been trained, and who I am spiritually.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
I made the decision to start rapping when I saw straight outta Compton in 2015, I was 15 at the time. Hearing them say fuk the police, fuck bitches, get money, and stand up for what they believe in, I realized and loved the true power of having a voice. My path was kind of already destined for music, my mom sang all my life, my dad is a singer, all my sisters sing, my dad even got me to speak on his song when I was about 12 years old. I wanted to box at first, but music got to me, and now I’m here to stay.
Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?
I released a new song a day ago on 6/25 called “Stealing My Swag”. The true origin of how the song was created was when I saw a girl take pictures in front of the chips section in the store on Instagram, hours after I posted a photoshoot of me standing in front of a chips section in cvs, she even had on the north face brand like me. Then I went in her comments and I was like “damm Stealing My Swag.” We laughed about it lol, that was the true origin but that song relates to many other times in my life where people copied things just because I did it, even you probably had somebody steal your swag for something !
What makes your music unique? How would you describe it?
What makes my music unique is that I have something to say. I don’t idolize any of these artists in the industry, I study all the late greats, I’m always looking to improve, and I always want to make my next song better than the last. My genres are rap, hip-hop, r&b, experimental.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
I’m always looking to branch into new genres though. My biggest influences are Tupac, Eazy-E, 50 Cent, Ice Cube, and I love Sade. I would love to collab with Kendrick Lamar one day.
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
The most exciting day of my rap career so far is when I performed at my talent show at high school, the crowd went crazy for me, I would say my prom performance but the crowd could’ve a little more lit, you win some, and you learn, but you keep forward.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
I make my music more important than anything, I try to balance it but when it comes to promoting my precious art, I talk to friends a little less, I party less, I am all business, because I have a destiny that I believe is set for me by GOD !
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
The advice I would give other musicians is never give up, always look to improve, humble yourself, ignorance won’t get you far, trust me. Marketing is key! Truth in your content is key ! And timing is everything.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
One message that I have for my fans is that I’ll always keep it real, you riding with somebody that’s great, I’ll go on to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, whether the industry see that or not! and my voice will be heard, whether they like it or not.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
What’s next for me is to drop the music video to my single Stealing My Swag, it’s really a movie, I got a group of charismatic actors copying everything I do, dressing like me, shopping where I shop, and even going to eat where I eat LOL! You are truly in for a treat when your eyes get laid on this July 16th, I pray GOD makes it work ! Have a blessed day.
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