Florida-based rapper Young Slay raps about overcoming adversity. He could spit rhymes on twelve albums about conquering tough times, and he’d still have material left. On the song “Manman”, he raps passionately about losing his mother. Laced between the bridges of the song are audio recordings his mother used to send to his father, when the latter immigrated to the United States. His voice shakes with unbridled emotion, as if he had lost his mother the night before. He raps:
Mwen sonje’w manman…
Zantray mwen ap rache…rache….rache…rachhhhhe
Si se pat pou move chans, mwen santi mwen pa tap gen chans…
Lèzòm tèlman enferyè
Yo koz ou antre anba tè
Anva li te lè’w
Even though I rarely talk about it
My insides are tearing, tearing, tearing, tearing up
If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t be lucky
Folks are so wicked
They caused you to go six feet under
When it wasn’t even your time
The theme of forced separation and alienation are themes that permeate a great number of his songs. The song “Engra” (Ingrate) is practically a phone conversation between a nephew and an aunt who are separated by immigration. She lives in Haiti, and he’s abroad. She was his primary caretaker when he was little, but since immigrating to the United States they’ve gotten alienated. He seldom calls, and when a conversation finally ensues between the two of them, there’s so many wounds to nurse, so many things that should have been left unsaid.
Kreyolicious: So, how’d get the name Young Slay?
The name resulted from a sense of urgency. I was transitioning from a rap group to solo artist, and I needed a moniker. At that time, I was known as “Skinny”—close friends still call me that. However, the moniker was not marketable. I loved a Death Metal band known as Slayer, and since friends thought I usually “killed” tracks, I figured I’d call myself “Slay”. Then, I added the “Young” to it since it was the cool thing to do. I honestly hated it for a while until I justified it as, “To verbally kill, or literally die”.
Kreyolicious: What attracted you to hip-hop?
I was always into music. I knew that I wanted to be a rapper, and that was mainly due to the lavish lifestyle that was portrayed on TV. I grew up in a country of sheer destitution. I wanted more. I excelled at writing poetry, so the transition was not so hard. However, I made a genuine connection with music following an unsuccessful retinal surgery that left me blind in the left eye. At that time, I discovered the true therapeutic value of music. It was my main coping mechanism.
Kreyolicious: Wow…Is it easy coming up with your rhymes?
To level with you, it depends. I am a prolific writer and an avaricious reader so most of the time I can write with ease. However, there are times I experience writer’s block and I can’t come up with anything. Nada. Zip. [Laughter]
Kreyolicious: What does your family think about your career choice?
My family is very accepting with reservations of course (smile). In the Haitian culture, we know even some of the most successful musicians die penniless like Mozart. So, artistry is not really valued. It’s more like a hobby. We pride ourselves on social training—education. That being said, since I will be getting my Masters degree on Dec 13—-same day I will be releasing GKNM: Granmoun Ki Nom M—they are more accepting. They know I have a solid plan B that could easily be a plan A.
Kreyolicious: Do you tend to censor yourself a lot when you’re writing?
When I wrote the album Faces Got No Race, I did just that on every song. I did it again in R2KM: Rèd Kon Ke Makak [Stiff Like a Monkey’s Tail] on some tracks as well because I was walking on eggshells as to not offend too many listeners. But no human growth comes from that. I think the listeners can take care of themselves emotionally, so I refrain from doing that to a certain degree. It’s raw and uncut as to stimulate the mind. You can’t please everyone.
Kreyolicious: Out of all the songs you’ve written, which one do you feel capture the essence of you as an artist?
I think the track “Manman”—featuring Mona Jean Pierre—encapsulated me not only as an artist, but also as a sentient being. It symbolizes personal growth and finding closure with my mother’s demise. I shunned writing that song for years, because it was so intimate. It was tough deciding to put my mother’s voice on it. Luckily, when I released it, it resonated in the hearts of many individuals.
Kreyolicious: Sorry about your mom…What’s next for the youngin who slays?
There are many artistic avenues that I would like to explore in the near future. However, right now my priority is to release GKNM: Granmoun Ki Nom M on December 13. I am really excited about this project. I would like to thank you Kreyolicious for your time and the opportunity to do this interview. Please continue to promote our rich culture. Thank you.
Click the video below to listen to Young Slay’s song “Manman”.
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