Jackson, Mississippi artist Yung Jewelz calls the music she creates “hipster music,” a different genre of music that is less edgy than hip hop but still embodies a southern flow. Jewelz realized she wanted to be an artist around her senior year in high school, but she discovered her love for music and writing as a kid singing and playing with toy guitars. Her delivery reminds me a lot of a young MC Lyte and Queen Latifah, two artists who ironically she says influences her music. She released her first solo project called Hipster Talk last year. Check out our interview below.
AE: What artists influence your music?
YJ: Definitely MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Da Bratt, J. Cole, Big Krit ,and a handful of other greats.
AE: What’s your definition of “hipster music” and how would you describe your music and yourself as an artist?
YJ: Hipster music is vibrant lyrics with a bold statement. My music is pure, it’s chill yet fun, I’m the artist that can help you paint your story no matter what life you’ve come from.
AE: On the intro of Hipster Talk you used a snippet of a J Cole interview. Is the way he talked about his career and music the way you feel about the music you create?
YJ: Yes, he was speaking the truth.
AE: Do you find it challenging being a female rapper especially in Mississippi, and do you think there is a lack of female presence in the rap industry?
YJ: Sometimes but being a female in a dominate industry makes you strong especially in Mississippi because you have to make serious noise to get heard here. And yes there definitely is. It should be a level playing field for men and women.
AE: I like the Riot remix featuring Dolla Black, another Mississippi artist. He seemed like the perfect choice for the song. His voice and delivery was a nice touch to the track. How did ya’ll link up?
YJ: I first met Dolla when he opened up for Big Krit some years back. I hit him up letting him know I needed some help. He heard the original track and blessed me with the verse for the remix.
AE: Do you have any new projects in the works?
YJ: Yes, I’m currently working on my next project called Hipster Logic which is basically showing my growth from Hipster Talk.
AE: How far do you want to take your career?
YJ: I want to take it as far as it will get me. I’m in this for the long run.
Check out Yung Jewelz’s music below.
