Marion, Indiana creative Yung pootie is a fast-rising hood blues artist who we just had to find out more about. He tells us all about the vision behind Round$ free$tyle, growing up working all the instrumental settings in his local church, the 765, overthinking, and what it takes to lace down powerful bars which are certainly meaningful. Strap your seatbelt in and let’s go.
Llewelyn: Thank you for joining us Yung pootie. First question, do you recall precisely the moment when you just knew..making music..this is what I’m going to do. What does it feel like when you think back?
Yung pootie: Thank you for having me. I always knew since a kid that music was a major part of my life. Growing up in the Black church playing the instruments and singing in the choirs groomed me into the musician/artist I am today. When I think back on it, all I can think of is my father introducing me to the funk/soul music that is still instilled in me today. Shoutout Julio & the Pussycats lol.
Llewelyn: We like how you just go and do things. Do you feel like overthinking just causes doubt and actually cages up creativity like a bird who just wants to fly to a better place?
Yung pootie: You know I do think overthinking can cause a creative block within artists. I know this first-hand for sure. The moment I stopped overthinking things musically, it almost seemed like everything started to fall in place for me better as an artist. You have to allow yourself to be free as an artist in order for that to translate to the world.
Llewelyn: Round$ free$tyle. Let’s get into it. This is a hot track. What was the idea behind the new single and who have you made it for? Our readers will surely turn this up to the max.
Yung pootie: So really this is the perfect example of not overthinking and allowing myself to be free as an artist. This record really happened by accident lol. I was shuffling thru beats and found one with the Aaliyah sample in it ( If you know me then you know how I feel bout 90s music) Soon as I heard it, I loaded it up and started recording. I allowed whatever was on my mind to come out of my mouth. Hence the name Rounds Freestyle. The rest is history!
Llewelyn: Has covid made you change up your grind at all or are things ‘back’ to normal again?
Yung pootie: Covid actually turned my grind up like 6 levels lol. Being on “lockdown” forced me to be isolated in the most productive way. It gave me the opportunity to really hone in on my sound and what I really want. Things are sorta back to normal now but the grind has definitely evolved since then.
Llewelyn: Marion, Indiana. Have you always lived here and what is/was it like? Is the music scene alive or does much more investment need to arrive for it to fully flourish and support the underground musicians who want to shine?
Yung pootie: The 765!!! I was born and raised here yes sir. It’s a small town in northern Indiana where there honestly isn’t too much of anything besides cornfields. We actually are starting to grow a dope music scene here for sure but I do think it’ll take a lot more investment and work from all of us here to make it something recognizable everywhere. If we all come together wholeheartedly ain’t no way we can lose.
Llewelyn: Hood Blues. We like the sound of this a lot. What made you go in this direction and avoid doing what so many others are doing..sticking to whatever the ‘cool’ genre/fad is at the time. Do you feel like you’re a trailblazer who just wants to make music with a real message to inspire the youth and those who backed you when others (who didn’t get it) doubted everything?
Yung pootie: So if I’m being honest, the term or genre “Hood Blues” was coined by my cousin Tyjon (Smokey Lymon), who I’ve looked up to as an artist ever since I was a kid. I chose to go in this direction with my sound because it’s not what fits me the best but the US. Hood blues is soulful music with impactful lyrics that accompany hard-hitting 808s and trap drums. I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself a trailblazer but more so of a blueprint for those who follow me musically. I’ve always wanted to make music with substance so people could feel and relate to it. I told myself a long time ago that the music I make would not be the typical sound that we’ve constantly heard. Hood blues is the next wave.
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Interview by Llewelyn Screen
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