Artist Spotlight: Chris Young

Chris Young The Rapper (born July 30, 1989) is an American rapper, producer & songwriter raised in San Diego, CA. Chris Young was accepted into college at the University of Arizona to major in Philosophy, but decided to drop out his 2nd semester to pursue his calling. In the Summer of 2008, Chris Young caught a ride to Los Angeles, CA with no money and no home, sleeping from couch to couch, booking shows on his own. In September 2008, he opened for Shwayze & Cisco Adler in Tucson, AZ at the Rialto Theatre. Immediately after hearing his demo, Cisco Adler let Chris Young tour with him, Shwayze, Tabi Bonney, Mickey Avalon and many more around the country. In April 2009, Chris Young released his 1st project entitled Mood Swing EP for free download which was received with acclaim. In August 2009, Chris Young signed his record deal with Cisco Adler’s Bananabeat Records and plans to change the face of music.

You can hear the freestyle talent of Chris Young on HiPNOTT Records 2010 Takeover, Vol 1. Hit the jump to get to know Chris Young…

Where you reppin:

San Diego, CA ; 619 to be exact.

Introduce yourself:

My name is Chris Young The Rapper and I have been waiting patiently for my time to come.

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

Hip-Hop and I tied the knot in a basement in Camden, New Jersey; winter of 2001. My Uncle was a DJ and we were recording his set with a new camera my mother purchased for Christmas. I watched him spin Run DMC, LL Cool J, Jay-Z and T.I records for 2 hours. Towards the end of Jay-Z- “So Ghetto”, he mixed in T.I’s single “I’m Serious” and told me to freestyle. When I opened my mouth to speak, hip-hop put a finger on my lips and gave me a long kiss that hasn’t ended since.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

My 619 Mixtape [download] (it sounds like an album, who would’ve thought a Kevin Nottingham interview would be the outcome?)

Previous work that we should know about:

I’m currently revamping my site chrisyoungtheartist.com and my entire catalog from the age of 14 and beyond will be available.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

Mos Def – “Umi Says”

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

Many of the listeners of Hip-Hop have forgot to listen without judgment. Many compare an artist to another artist, question how many records they will sell, question their personal lives and forget to let the music speak for itself. Let my music speak and then you decide what you want to do.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Lauryn Hill – Miseducation of Lauren Hill

What’s next for you?

Only God knows.

Any shout outs or last words?

Thanks for the opportunity to let the world hear my music. Go to www.myspace.com/chrisyoungrap if you do the myspace thing, go to facebook.com/chrisyoungtherapper if you do the facebook thing and email me at chrisyoungtherapper@gmail.com if you want to talk to me. Look out for my debut single/album with Bananabeat Records. Keep it Nastee. God Bless.

Dead Man (Freestyle)

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Pain

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Famous Laboratory [prod by Nobody Famous]

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