[ad_1]
Twenty 12 months outdated recording artist Yung Lion is urging Jamaicans to “lion up” even within the face of the dual tigers of excessive inflation and low wages, and altering instances which have triggered a wholescale assault on the island’s cultural heritage.
“Everyone affi lion up and the ladies should lioness up. Now ah the time fi lion up! Now greater than ever, the black nation is beneath assault from forces who don’t need us to keep in mind that we’re kings and queens, we have to regain our dignity and delight and ‘Lion Up’,” the artiste whose actual title is Christian Low Hoy, stated.
To this younger rhyme spitter, the ‘Lion Up’ idea is a lifestyle.
“Lion Up is extra than simply ah phrase. It’s ah mindset. It means fi stand agency, stand up and defend righteousness. Even when di system tries to carry we down, even when issues look bleaky with the negatives and the poverty, yu should lion up and faucet into that inside energy inside,” he stated.
Yung Lion believes that the outdated African proverb, “when there isn’t any enemy inside, the enemies outdoors can not damage you” and that requires unity.
“Mi ah remind de youth dem fi Lion Up and unite. It give dem ah reminder after we hyperlink up, we’re highly effective as a individuals. It’s all about unity and elevating the tradition. Each man, girl and youngster has ah lion inside themselves, and when the lions unite, there’s a delight, a literal delight of lions, we’ve to re-energise our delight as black individuals. “
The track, which has been leaked to FM radio, might be formally launched on all digital streaming platforms through US-indie label Low Hoys Leisure.
How would you describe the musical fashion of Yung Lion?
“My fashion is fusion fi actual. It’s undoubtedly reggae and dancehall core, however I additionally add ah little Afro vibes. Typically even ah hip hop bounce. Yung Lion’s music is militant however will also be melodic, aware and catchy on the similar time. My voice carries a message, however mi additionally carry de vibes weh mek d individuals dem transfer, suppose and heal all of sudden,” Yung Lion stated.
The 12 months 2024 was a 12 months of firsts for Yung Lion as he launched his debut EP and fulfilled his ‘childhood goals’ of creating his debut on Reggae Sumfest 2024. And he’s simply getting began.
Born in Staten Island in 2005 and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he found his ardour for music early on, performing reggae songs for his household and practising numerous devices. His defining second got here at age 10 when he carried out alongside famend artistes on a cruise and held his personal.
The artiste, who’s of Trinidadian and Greek parentage, began his skilled music profession at age 15. He grew up listening to 90s dancehall from Buju Banton, Cham, Bounty Killer and Ninja Man however he’s ‘absolutely influenced’ by the likes of the late Jo Mersa, Stephen and Damion Marley.
That affect is obvious on his debut EP, Lion Up, with radio hit songs like ‘I Don’t’ and ‘Unfriendly’.
“Mi haffi point out Capleton and Sizzla. Capleton have di hearth weh mi ah attempt push and Sizzla have de vitality and melodies. Bounty Killer and Ninja Man fi dem uncooked supply and di approach dem command the gang. Haffi large up Jr. Gong and Stephen Marley, trigger dem ah OG inna dis and dem stream totally different from the remaining. Child Cham and Aidonia are two artiste that I’ve at all times appeared as much as as properly,” he stated.
One of many defining moments of his teenage life got here when his cousin Josh, an older brother determine and key motivator in his musical journey, was shot and killed in Trinidad. Different emotional heartbreaks adopted such because the loss of life of his shut pal and confidante, Jo Mersa.
Regardless of these heart-rending emotional lows, Yung Lion has used his music to heal. Now that he has a rising repertoire of recent releases and songs set to unleash this summer season, he is able to make his mark.
He might be releasing a video for his Lion Up single in July accompanied by an aggressive road and on-line advertising and marketing marketing campaign. Prior to now, he has carried out on gigs in London, UK and graced the stage on festivals within the American Mid West and West Coast.
“When the gang hears my music dem immediately begin fi really feel the vibes,” he stated.
Though he’s a ‘yung lion’, many music critics are intrigued by his throwback sound which reveals up on his different releases like ‘4 o Clock’ that includes Barrington Levy and Mali (Woman G daughter) which was produced by Jeremiah Marley, and a collabo with Spragga Benz, a remake of ‘Rasta Run the World’.
“First off, it was an honour working with the legendary Spragga Benz. Ah one ah di basic in de sport. After I introduced the thought to his consideration with simply ah 20 second clip of a freestyle I did to it, his precise phrases the place “do it fam, dats what we want now”,” he stated.
Yung Lion has discovered himself in a novel state of affairs, a residing embodiment of the bridge between two generations.
“Mi tek di old style fashion and mesh it with the brand new technology fashion and create historical past. Spragga is ah OG inna dis, him educate mi rather a lot as properly. We mek positive fi preserve Rasta alive in each chune we mek, however this one simply hit totally different. Massive ups to Spragga Benz,” Yung Lion stated.
The artiste’s chosen nom de guerre then is not any accident. He’s a Yung Lion constructing his delight of lions together with his energetic Lion Up Motion, whereas concurrently re-invigorating the delight of the black nation.
“The rationale mi name myself Yung Lion is as a result of in my eyes the Lion represents management and energy. Identical approach mi transfer inna music. The Yung simply merely reveals that mi ah carry d hearth from the brand new technology, however mi spirit historical like Jah time,” he stated.
Hear the Yung Lion roar.
[ad_2]
Source link
