MMG’s Newest Recruit: YOWDA

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how exactly did it all begin for YOWDA?

Music was interesting to me the first time I heard it. Ever since I was little, I loved music as an art form and I was always trying to mimic singers, rappers and performers.

Where exactly do you hail from? And growing up there, who all did/do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Las Vegas, Nevada—Nas, Jay-Z, C-Bo, RBL Posse, 2Pac, Biggie, etcetera.

Where does your moniker, YOWDA, originally derive from?

My father gave me the name Yowda Rey, which means “A King Dancing For the Lord.”

With that being said, how then would you classify the sound and/or style of the music that you create and perform?

“Reality Rap,” because I speak about situations I have actually encountered or that my friends are going through.

What particular string of events led to your initial linking up with Rick Ross and eventual inking to his Maybach Music Group imprint?

Rick Ross got a hold of my mix-tape, La Costa Nostra, a few years ago, and we developed a friendship before the business came into it. He liked my music and felt what I was doing and decided to help me out.

Your latest single/ video selection is entitled “That’s How It Goes,” featuring YG [http://youtu.be/D7VXBqMQaB4] — Tell me about this particular track? How did it actually come to fruition?

This track came really organically. That’s my homeboy! We were in the studio vibin’ and it just came to us. YG is on my first single, “Shut Up,” so we’ve been working for a minute.

In having said that, what all actually can you reveal and/or divulge about said upcoming “official” solo LP at this given time?

My first solo project will be called Mr. White, but we are unsure of the timetable right now.

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to? And, of course, what will continue to sustain you in music?

My whole thing is if you work hard, you can last forever in this game. It’s all about hard work.

Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I’m just starting out here in the music game, but you will start seeing me everywhere soon.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip-Hop?

Yes. Not being a hater, Hip-Hop brings all kinds of people together to make all different kinds of great music and various types of rap and Hip-Hop music. Everybody is getting money and so I like that.

To date, what has been your biggest Hip-Hop moment, at least thus far anyway?

When Ross brought me onstage in Miami at the King of Diamonds (Gentlemen’s Club); that was a really cool moment for me.

What’s next for you, YOWDA?

My next mixtape Welcome Home El Chapo is coming soon, and make sure you get Free El Chapo available now on iTunes, Beats Music, all that!

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

Make sure you check out all my homeboys putting down for Las Vegas; Banksta Quake, Day Duce, Lit Soxx, Bay Blu, Gutt Tha Livewire, Burna Ben Franklin and so on — We’ve got a lot of new music coming!

Any “parting” word(s) for our readers?

When you see me in the streets, you know IT’S YOWDA!!

@1YOWDA

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