INTERVIEW

Young Cali - "My music is an avenue for myself and others to find joy and hope..."

Young Cali-My music is an avenue for myself and others to find joy and hope...
Have you ever watched "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman?

Yes and it wasn't that long ago. It was well written movie, with a good message and story. My favorite part is when Edward (Jack Nicholson) and Carter (Morgan Freeman) have their disagreement, when Edward doesn’t see the importance of having loved ones to call on in such a traumatic state. Just the statement that he was capable of dying alone shows the pain and loneliness Edward felt. For me, that’s the whole message in the movie. Many people will never have enough money to accomplish a bucket list or anything close in comparison to the one depicted in the movie. But the bigger picture is the people we love and the time we get to share with them in this short time we have here on earth. Having your loved ones by your side is what we all wish to have as we inch closer to our date with death. I think that fact of not knowing that we can pass on to the next phase of life in exactly such a manor is what makes death so intimidating. It’s unpredictable and that is disheartening, but we all hope that we can grow old, with our children and grandchildren by our side as we cross over. That’s the blessing in the movie, many may grasp while others will miss. 

There's a scene there where Freeman tells the story about ancient Egyptians belief related to death. He said: "when their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. 'Have you found joy in your life?' 'Has your life brought joy to others?'". What would your answer be if you have found yourself in this situation?

To be completely honest, it’s not hard to see people believing this to be true. With that being said, I’m not really sure if I’ve ever had joy in my life. There have been countless times in my life where I have felt the emotion of ”joy”. As far as something of consistency, not in the least. As you know from our first time talking, my childhood was one of contempt. I had many friends, but of all of those friends, I was envious of what they had. They all had two parent households, this was one of the most intimidating realities I faced daily. Though this is a reality many face in the neighborhoods of Amerikkka, It effects each of us differently. Having this major trauma in my life, I feel I missed out on so much. This has negatively corrupted my view of joyous things. As far as bringing joy to others, that’s the whole purpose of my music. My music is an avenue for myself and others to find joy and hope, next to the belief in Allah(SWA). So when someone hears my music and really listens to my lyrics they hear my struggle. The points or eras of my life when I felt hopeless. By me sharing my imperfections, maybe just maybe someone else will release the chains of bondage, the self hatred and hopelessness brings. You can make a new path if you just fight hard enough and long enough. It’s one thing I know for sure, even a broke clock(analog for digital heads) is right twice a day. So just keep on fighting and never give up. I believe that message does bring hope to others.

The last time we spoke you have told me you were not afraid about your past. Do you often think how it was back then?

Yes, not a single day goes by that I don’t recall on something from my childhood or my past. I know many of these recollections bring about sad or distraught memories but for some reason I’m addicted to punishing myself by reenacting them on a regular occasion. Many times it makes me feel as if I may have been more successful in the avenues I chose, if had both my parents in the same household. I’m very aware of the negative aspects that these memories play upon my daily psyche, as well as my daily decision making. It would seem that I just continuously punish myself with these negative memories. This has lead to mental health issues, and yeah I’m not afraid to admit my faults. I do struggle with mental health illnesses, to the point of needing professional help. The shit is real, like people have to look into things like this more deeply. Issues like alcoholism, depression, ptsd. These things stem from mental health illnesses. If you don’t treat stuff like this seriously, it can be very dangerous. I mean if you were to get sick or stabbed you seek medical help, so the same importance should be placed on mental health issues! That’s how I feel thinking about my past. There were good times, for some reason the painful ones seem to have a overpowering effect.

I am asking for a reason. In your new single “Fall Back” you are talking a lot about your emotions and things that happened to you in life. What was in your mind while writing this song?

Damn, I’m trying so hard not to hurt my cheeks smiling and laughing... all I was thinking this whole song and album was....... ”FUCK YOU”!!!! Like the biggest middle finger that one could possibly give! One thing many of my fans, friends and family may not be aware of is, I don’t write music to my full potential when I’m angry, sad or any of those negative emotions. Really, I think my music is shitty when I’m in one of those emotional states. Just saying! When it comes to how I think and my reactions, I’m similar to soda pop cans. I say that because situations that make me emotional create a build up in me as far as lyrically and usually I reach a point of explosion. These explosions don’t happen when I’m angry it’s always when I’m like feeling good you could say. I am not a “write lyrics,” everyday kind of artist, I create concepts and ideas daily that’s it I let my music and lyrics come to me. I don’t force creativity. So that’s where “FALL BACK” evolved from.

Let me quote: "where was you at when I slept in my truck / or hungry as hell, did you give any fucks?". What did you mean by saying that?

Since the last time we talked, I’ve been through so many challenging things. This tested my faith, my willpower and that of my closest friends and family. Kamil, my brotha when I say some shit...It’s some real SHIT! Like I did some stuff I can’t totally talk about and was facing some serious prison time. I’m not sure that I won’t still have to sit down for a little bit of time, I just might have too. Anyways, I broke my back trying to put myself and what and who I assumed was my team on. When da shit came crumbling down, wasn’t nobody, I mean NOBODY by my side. None of the same cats I was taking these prison chances for, were around for support. They all just up and disappeared. Of course my wife held me down, when I went to jail it was some people who turned they backs thought it was better I stayed in jail while my wife was trying to bail me out. She did ultimately bail me out but damn that shit hurt me. It lead me to having to sleep in my truck for almost a whole year. Of the 12 months of 2017, I slept in my truck 8 and a half of them all behind legal fees and shit like dat. Now let me say this, didn’t nobody make me do nothing I did it all by myself but damn my nigguhs, y’all do ya nigguh like that when we all was benefiting from it? I got cha! But I forgive cause some of the people I can’t get rid of but it ain’t no smoke I’m better for it now knowing who’s really in my corner.

You are also rapping about your mom and the anger that you felt inside of you when your parents divorced. Ever wonder how your life would looked like if she would stay with your father?

Yes, I truly believe had my parents found a way to reconcile their differences, I probably would’ve followed along of my path desiring to be a military aviator. As you may know as well as anyone who is close to me, I am fully infatuated with all aspects of Aviation and to be honest that was my very first dream. I saw myself as a child flying jets, ultimately flying commercially. Well, as one can tell, I was unable to fulfill that dream.  This is another aspect of my life that I continuously punish myself about as well. It’s like I just can’t seem to let go of what could’ve been and be thankful for what has become. This created an insecurity within me that forces self validation from my wife, that she can’t give, as well as the affect my music has on my fans. How many records did I sell? Those type off things which take the love and purity out of creating music. Instead of making music purely for the passion and love of it as my wife tells me to regularly. Any mental health professional or anybody intelligent enough will tell you it is not a very safe way to validate ones importance through these means.

As an Artist you probably want your message to be heard and to pay attention to the words you say. But it’s not an easy task. Purely hypothetical - if I were new to your music what would be the key to understand it properly? To get a full picture of it?

Well, for me personally, I would say all people fire up some weed and take a ride with what I’m saying lyrically. This gives you a better chance to help you understand and interpret my lyrics. For those who don’t smoke weed or drink alcohol or anything like that I would tell them to listen to my music when they are in a deep thought provoking emotional state. That’s not to say that my music isn’t whenever you choose listening to material.  When people find themselves in these positions, they hear lyrics or other specific parts of music or movies that they may have not heard before or seen before but get a deeper understanding solely based on their current emotional state. The same can be said for my music. As long as you’re listening to my music honestly, open and objective you’re going to find the message. I hold myself accountable as a artists to make the message easy to be digested, similar to constantly feeding someone baby food. While they can eat normal food ,why not make it easier for them to digest?

What about those who won’t understand anyway. Criticism bother you?

No, not in the lease, steel sharpens steel.  It’s years of pressure that creates diamonds, so no, I actually look forward to criticism. I applaud criticism because the critics are those who are helping me better my craft. I’ve never been the one to look at someone’s critical analysis of my music as hating. I am aware that as an artist, I’m not going to please everyone. The entire masses are not going to like my music just because I think they should. It could be they just don’t like me as an artist, or the music I produce. All of those things are OK to me. I appreciate honest criticism of my work and I wish that more people would take the time to listen to my work to have a critical leg to stand on. This would be great for me because the more people who are criticizing my work, the better the product I can put on the market. The question is, “is everyone being sincere?” I understand were various artists get the feeling of hate when people are critical of their music. People have to listen first and not just to one song, you have to have more of a variety to make an objective opinion. So yes, maybe one of my other songs was not to your liking, but have you tried more of my catalog? If you’ve gone through my entire distributed catalog and have not found nothing to your taste, then I’m just not your flavor. I can except that, but I have a hard time respecting a critical analysis without a thorough investigation of my work. That’s where I stand on that.

You are finishing working on your upcoming album. When can we expect its release? Can you tell us more about it?

You’re absolutely correct I’m currently working on the final stages and processes for the “FALL BACK” album. It has been a while since I officially released new music, I think all the back to the last time when we worked on the “I’m not afraid of my past,” interview. That’s a whole lot of trials and tribulations to endure. I felt it was time! I’m looking at a release date of some where in August of this year! (2018) As always, it will be available on all major digital media platforms! I also intend on pressing up physical cd albums for sale as well! I have really put a lot into this album and with it being the very first fully produced and structured by my own label “Hustlahs Muzik.” It is a sense of pride for me that is incomparable! Not to mention, I have plenty of work in the pipelines.

What are you future plans? Any idea what will you do in following months?

I intend on pushing the “FALL BACK” project getting new content to my social media sites. I also intend on developing a official Hustlahs Muzik website to make it easier for fans to interact with me as well as purchasing my music and merchandise. My family will also get more of my time as I won’t be needing to record with it all being done! In 2016, my wife and I had a new baby, though she isn’t a baby anymore. Malani is a handful and she acts just like me.... But she’s such a sweet little lady. With that and my other kids, it’s pretty busy in the YCHM household! Hell, thats enough to keep any man busy! If things fall into place as I hope, I should be going on tour and from there the sky’s the limit! Really, I’m simple as hell. I chill with family and friends, smoke my fair share of weed plotting on making more money! If I’m not doing that, I’m probably skateboarding somewhere. Before all the drug selling, hood shit and struggles, I played sports and skateboarded everyday all day. Now I just do it with my kids!

Now, I’m sure you knew that I would ask this question so let me just say it - why have you changed your name? What made you decide to do it? As for me, Michael was a good one...

Kamil, first off I’d like to thank you for the line of questions that have come up. With that being said I do agree with you Michael is a wonderful name and it’s the name my mother chose for me. My damn dad wanted to name me Warren/Walter some shit like that. No bad will to those whom have those names I just don’t think they would have fit me well! Anyways, as you know I practice the Islamic faith. This is something I’m very proud of, so it’s befitting that I take on a name that is in line with my beliefs. I chose the name Abdullah based on its meaning, “servant of God.” For me personally, what greater title to have and hold better than the servant of our creator.  That in itself is such a great position to have, and we all should see ourselves as this.  While we all know that Allah(SWA) does not require our help, it is empowering to know that I can help. I chose the last name “Muhammed,” because it’s meaning as well. “Praise worthy,” while I know I’m nooooooooo where close to deserving praise, the last and final messenger was named Muhammed (PBOH).  Admittedly, I am nothing like the messenger. My qualities fall so short, but daily I aspire to be like him as far as his Deen (Way of life). The middle name of “Zakir” is the name of a very prominent oratorical scholar whom I highly respect. That’s how I chose my Islamic name. Leaving me with Abdullah Zakir Muhammed.

Without a doubt these are hard times for those who believe in Allah. All because of the Holy war that is going on right now in the world. Muhammad Ali once said that despite of the real meaning of the word "islam" the press makes Muslims look like haters. Have you ever felt that way? Had any problems due to your belief?

This is a great question Kamil, I thank you for asking too. Muhammad Ali was absolutely correct! For me, personally I have yet to run into a discriminative situation solely based upon my religious practice. The reason why said this is such a good question, it gives me the opportunity to dig a little deeper into the misconceptions of Islam. Now I would be naïve and out right prevaricating to say that the news does not depict irate tyrannical leaders who kill and intimidate in the name of Allah(SWA), as well as in the name of Muhammed(PBOH). But this in itself is a practice that is truly frowned upon by those who truly practice Islam based upon the letter out of the holy Quran. Islam is a non-compelling religion, I as a Muslim cannot force anyone to take what is known as the shahada. Simply forcing someone to claim allegiance to Islam is haram, meaning a very serious sin. We as Muslims know that it is very important to desire to want to be a Muslim. This is important because if you do not truly desire to practice the faith of Islam you are not going to see the peace and mercy that truly comes from the religion. Many people misinterpret the meaning of jihad, in no way shape or form or in any Islamic dictionary that has not been revised will you ever see the definition of jihad meaning holy war. I make reference to a revised dictionary because as of now we’ve all come to learn that practical application of a word will allow for its definition to be manipulated. For instance the use of the word “pig”up until recently you would’ve have found the definition of “pig” to be related to a police officer until it started being used practically. This in itself does not constitute legitimate validity for a words definition. By this criteria we have also taken the famous cartoon character Homer Simpson catch phrase, “dooh” and made it a word. Really people is that what we’re doing? Anyway back to my point the real definition for jihad is struggle, strive, overcome, persevere. So let’s take jihad and it’s real definition and apply that to specific verses in the Quran where the word is used. Many misinformed and manipulative people will take the instruction from Allah(SWA) given to Muhammad(PBOH) during the battle of Badr. To wage Jihad in the battlefield on his enemies. Now let me ask you a question what commander would not tell their troops in battle, not to persevere; to strive; to struggle before a battle. Of course that’s what you’re going to say do you expect your commander to say go laydown, go give up, go be soft, so yes people have taken the usage of Jihad and manipulated it by not taking it in its context. For the pre-medical student facing midterms, they should wage Jihad. They should, struggle, strive, fight on for the best grades possible. He who is overcoming addiction, should wage Jihad, struggle, strive, persevere to beat the addiction! That’s the Jihad Islam teaches. No one person or people should be oppressed, not for any reason. Jihad should be waged against oppression. But it doesn’t have to be violent, to continue the fight! Now I’ve said all of that to say the best way to know about religion is not to judge the people who associate themselves with it but to go to the book. If you want to know about Islam, read the holy Quran. If you choose to know about Buddhism read the Vitas. If you want to know about Christianity, read the Bible. The same could be said for Judaism to find the truth you must go to the Torah. The problem is is it’s too easy nowadays for people to take misconceptions and misinformation as the letter of the law. What’s so sad is with the creation and the Evolution of the Internet you would think people would seek to find answers and information on their own instead of leading on the information told to them by those that whom they may respect or trust. Even with that being said it’s always best to seek knowledge for yourself as to have better understanding. That’s not to discredit those whom you get your information from. Islam is peace! Search and you will find!

What does religion mean to you? Give me your definition.

Well I take the literal meaning as most do, which is the belief in an omnipotent/omnipresence that has created us and who deserves praise and worship. Otherwise God or Gods! As a Muslim (practicing Islamic) we believe in the ONE and ONLY true God Allah(SWA). The same God of Musa(Moses), the God Ibrahim(Abraham), the God of Esa(Jesus) which is the same God of Muhammed(PBOT)! See this is what Islam teaches the “ONENESS” of Allah(SWA) how there is NOTHING like him! What people are unaware of is that this is the same message that each prophet I just mentioned taught! This was their message the “ONENESS,” of God. If your read their messages you will read countless mentioning of the “ONENESS” of Allah(SWA). As defined in Sura Ikhlas 112 in the Holy Quran! If you doubt me please take the time to read them yourselves. The simplicity of the Holy Quran, and the peace I felt and feel is why I chose to accept Islam as my personal religion.

Do you believe that God will forgive all our sins?

Absolutely, that is probably one of the single greatest attributes of Allah(SWA). I know for a fact that forgiveness will be the reason most of us make it to paradise. I know I’m speaking for myself but I’m most definitely going to need some forgiveness to make it. I don’t think there’s to many people who would be able to say otherwise. Though there is one sin that Allah(SWA) will not forgive and that is the sin of Shrik! Which is associating partners with Allah(SWA) or having false Gods before him. That is the only unforgivable sin. If we truly ask for forgiveness no matter what you call God and turn away from the pattern of behavior I know Allah(SWA) will forgive you. Even some of the most horrible sins, for the holy Quran says that forgiveness is Allah’s(SWA) only and he will forgive what he chooses, but the sin of shrik, he will never forgive!

So what is the greatest lesson he teach us through his mercy?

Mercy itself is the greatest lesson that Allah(SWA) gives us all. As I stated in the last question he forgives all that he chooses,with that being said it is the lesson that should be taken the most serious. Forgiveness is such an important part of growth, we can all think back to a time when we needed to forgive someone. While many may disagree the longer you hold on to hurtful things the more power you relinquish to those who have hurt you. So it’s imperative that we forgive when wronged by others. By doing this we release the bond of pain and disappointment. This interview in itself has help to reinforce this principle, many people have hurt me, let me down and out right just turned their backs on me. It’s ok y’all I don’t hold no grudge or ill feelings, I wish y’all all the best and nothing but prosperity in life! I hope those who feel I’ve wrong them can forgive me as well. Life is too damn short to walk through it holding on to simple shit! A really wise man once told me, “don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff!” That man was my dad! Thanks pops it’s one I can hold on too! A wise women once told me, “remain humble and trust in the Lord!” Mama thank you for those words they have upheld me through sooooo much! Mama you and dad are the greatest no matter what happened and how things turned out, all the greatest qualities of the two of you meshed to make me. One hellova man, not perfect but perfectly me! Thank you!

Thank you for your time...

Can I add something?

Sure. I've said enough.

In closing this interview I would like to send my deepest gratitude to you Kamil and the whole Netfan.pl fam as well as all who helped make this happen. I want to say thank you to all who played apart in the creation of the “FALL BACK” album. Lil Paebak my brother and CEO of Paebak Muzik Group, Tankhead Wreckin of Slip-n-Slide Dj’s Hoodrich for production. Not to mention Mad Lung of Yesyal Records while I’m no longer associated with the label it would be remiss of me not to mention his input. No matter what you still my nigguh, I just needed to branch off on my own. Every bird must one day leave the nest! To my wife Veronica thank you for putting up with me through this hellish task. The ups the downs the hard days everything, without you I don’t know if I would have had the strength to do it! Thank you baby you are my backbone and my Queen! To my kids, Avery(Biggie), our road has been bumpy and at times out right dangerous, I’m glad it was the road life chose for us. It has made us closer than ever before. Thank you and I love you! Michael Jr.(Head), son it’s no words that could express the love I have for you. Our growth still continues to this day, I’m proud of the young man your becoming. Kevin(Stinka), son your my little computer wizard. I know that we all can come to you for the latest video game updates. I love you son and Thank you! Marcellus(Cellie), my my my son you have been through so much in your short life, you have made me stronger seeing you overcome your challenges. Your daddy’s special little dude! And last to you Malani(Dooda), my princess and terrorist! Poppy loves you so much baby girl! Your little smile warms the room and most importantly my heart! To my fans thank you for your continued support, the train has only begun to start rolling!

Journalist: Kamil Mrozinski
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