AN INTERVIEW WITH 617YOUNG E
Connect with Young E on WhatsApp
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Who is 617Young E? What would you say about yourself to people who want to get to know you more as an artist and a person?
YOUNG E: Lighthouse of Hope, Love, and Loyalty. Royal, but still humble!
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Why did you choose 617Young E as your artist name?
YOUNG E: Originally, I included 617 to rep Boston, but there’s too many people using it now so I might get rid of it and stick to Young E. Young E basically translates to Young Energy, or a fountain of youth, meaning my need for knowledge and enjoyment of life is infinite.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: When did your love for music start? How did you know music was your calling and that you had a passion for it?
YOUNG E: Music has always been an outlet for me to feel what I couldn’t always say or didn’t know how to say. I love all types of music, from r&b, to hip-hop, to rock, and reggae. I realized it was my passion around 14/15 when I started to freestyle often and write remixes to songs I liked. I never really had something I was so naturally good at that I could always enjoy, which made me want to perfect my craft. Eventually, I just knew I was meant to express my talent in any way I could.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: How did you begin your music career? What incited you to become an artist professionally?
YOUNG E: When I started to realize how much music meant to me and how it was always my closest friend when I felt lonely growing up. I needed a way to express myself and began to understand that I’m supposed to help those who may feel like all they have is music sometimes too.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: What challenges have you faced so far in your music career, and how have you overcome those challenges?
YOUNG E: I’ve dealt with fake people who didn’t really want me to win, inconsistent support, self doubt, and so much more. At the end of the day, I always remember that I’m bigger than any obstacles or weapons formed to throw me off track. All we gotta do is learn from mistakes and keep pushing forward!
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Are there any musicians out there you admire? How do they inspire you and what effect do they have on your music/career?
YOUNG E: There are so many artists who have been inspirational over the years, but as of right now, I’m in a space where I’m inspired by me and my life. Discovering new ways to express myself and creating new heights for people to aspire to reach is what I’m focused on.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: What do you hope your own music will inspire in listeners? Are there any messages you want your songs to send to people?
YOUNG E: I inspire people to keep hope even on the cloudiest days, because the rainbow is always brighter after the storm!
ARTIST’S HOUSE: What’s your usual approach when creating a song? Do you tend to write lyrics first, or base lyrics off of a beat? How do you pick what to write about? How do you choose a good producer for a song?
YOUNG E: It depends on what mood I’m in. Sometimes I’ll have more of a freestyle approach where I might record the first thoughts that come to mind when I hear a beat, or I’ll have beats I know I want to experiment with my voice/lyrics on. Sometimes I use the title of the beat as a prompt, but I usually just flow with the beat and use words to color how it makes me feel/think. I’ve recently had plenty of producers reach out to me, but I used to and still will find unique producers on YouTube.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: You released your last album Beantown Waves in 2021. Have you been working on any new albums or other projects since then that you can tell us about?
YOUNG E: Of course! I plan on releasing part two of RBT$, called RE!GNB0W After tha $torm, and another project called 1of1, both in 2023. I’m also working on fashion & movie/show ideas.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Speaking of Beantown Waves, what was the creative process like for this album? How did you want this project to differ from your EP Re!gn B4 Tha $torm?
YOUNG E: The mindset of Beantown Waves was to express how it feels growing up at a young age in a city like Boston, Massachusetts. Trying to make a way out of no way and staying true to yourself no matter what obstacles you face. Through the ups and downs in life, we still gon’ enjoy every breath God allows us to take! RBT$ was more of a “throwaway” project to release music that I had recorded for a while; the title and songs are still important, though. The mood I was in was like a countdown to take off energy, and that regardless of when I get the world to recognize the storm I bring, I know I will!
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Which song has the most personal meaning to you?
YOUNG E: “Paid” and “Masterpiece.” “Paid” is a song that my brother Emmanuel really loved, which inspired me to continue being myself and to have fun with this music thing at times I felt like giving up. “Masterpiece” is dedicated to the bond we had and how I wish it was stronger before he passed away.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Which song was the most fun to work on?
YOUNG E: That’s a tough question, ‘cause everything I record is like a sigh of relief. If I had to choose, it would be between “Paid,” “Dominikan,” “Reality¿,” or “RxL@P$E.” The energy during and after recording just made me feel like I’m definitely walking in my purpose.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: How did you choose the titles of your works? Are there any particular reasons you chose those titles?
YOUNG E: I usually figure out a name after I finish the song. I feel like words can paint pictures, so I place letters a certain way to illustrate vibes I want to be felt or describe the moral of the song/project.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: What direction do you want to go next, creatively? Are there any musical ideas you want to experiment with?
YOUNG E: Don’t know how much I should say, ‘cause people love trying to steal the recipes, but I plan on dropping at least two projects this year and finally putting out movie level visuals.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: How do you balance your passion for music with other areas of your life?
YOUNG E: By making sure I show up for loved ones, and taking care of my mental, physical, and spiritual health.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: What do your days tend to look like? What do you like to do in your free time?
YOUNG E: If I’m not finding ways to make or spend money, then I’m probably smoking or meditating. Recently, I’ve been more attracted to learning new things that will help us create a peaceful and prosperous future.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Do you have any interesting stories to share from times of recording your music?
YOUNG E: I’ve learned that some people don’t record to make meaningful songs, but just to make music and present a façade. I suggest any real artist remove whatever/whoever doesn’t have genuine intentions, in front of and behind the mic.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: Do you plan to perform your songs in front of an audience in the near future?
YOUNG E: Most definitely! I feel like performing will become one of my favorite experiences that I’ll get to create with my supporters.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: In what ways do you feel that your music stands out in your genre?
YOUNG E: My music has no specific genre. I’m not just a rapper, but an artist here to fully express myself.
ARTIST’S HOUSE: How can your fans contact you? Is there anything else you would like to say?
YOUNG E: True supporters can connect with me on my WhatsApp group.
MARCH 2023