YUNGFADELL Portland, OR

Yung Fa-Dell is a young, talented hip hop artist from Portland, OR. His "Mr. Bush" video (watch below) has received a good amount of attention and he is currently working on his debut album, "The Resume" as well as a street tape series tittled "The Streets Are Talkin'" to be released in the Spring of 09. So, enjoy the Goldmic / Yung Fa-Dell interview and video below: "Mr. Bush" Video: Watch the video » "Mr. Bush" Video in the news: View the news clip » Yung Fa-Dell's Goldmic profile: Goldmic.com/YUNGFADELL

Goldmic: Q: Who is Yung Fa-Dell? Where did you get your name? Tell us a bit about yourself and your personality. What do you like and dislike?

YUNGFADELL: A: Who is Yung Fa-Dell? Yung Fa-dell is the truth! I hale from Portland Or and I truly am an artist made by the people for the people. I'm 23 years young and I have more goals and aspirations then most people could even fathom. Not just for myself either, but for what I refer to as the "Village"(all the inner city jungles) As far as the name, I used to go by "F.D" then my people started calling me "Yung F.D." because I was younger than most of the cats I hung around, but when people first started to actually listen to my lyrics they labeled them "controversial". At the time I felt it was only right to assume a more controversial name, I mean shit, If you want to put that jacket on me? Here you go! So I added "Fa-Dell" Like Castro which attracted even more attention. So, I guess that was a good move on my part?? All that aside I'm mainly a laid back dude who sticks to his own script. I always stay grounded, focused, determined and will always keep working hard to achieve my wildest dreams and aspirations.

Goldmic: Q: Why are you a hip-hop artist? What motivates or inspires you? How long have you been an artist?

YUNGFADELL: A: My love for hip hop really started young. I would say I was about 4-5 years old and can remember my big brother who is about 14 years older than me had me up and around the early legends of Hip Hop P.E., N.W.A., Rakim, B.D.P., L.L. ect. My brother had a group called Stric 9 in the early to mid 90?s that was real big in Portland. He used to take me to his shows and I could feel the energy coming from the crowd and knew that I wanted to experience that feeling for my self. By the age of 13 I could count bars and put songs together. I used to get beats from my bro or boy Kai and started recording my own tracks. All the inspiration I have blends naturally with my love for Hip Hop. It's my way to document the things I experience in life. Hip Hop is and should always be an outlet for all of us ghetto poets.

Goldmic: Q: You hail from Portland, Oregon. How's the hip-hop scene in Portland? Is the city supportive of its up and coming hip-hop artists? Is there anything you wished were different in your city as it relates to hip-hop?

YUNGFADELL: A: The Hip Hop scene here is growing and the local fans seem to be slowly becoming more supportive. The main thing I think they want is originality in lyrics and sound. I like to refer to Portland as the Baby Bay because the majority of artist here sound like a lot of the stuff you here coming out of the Bay Area. Although, there are some artist up here like my self that plan to change that. It's hard to get noticed here or have large Hip Hop based events because of the city is worried about potential gang violence and that potential threat makes it hard if you are a promoter in this town to turn a profit after the over inflated cost of insurance and security. So it's hard to get that publicity an artist needs for that local support.

Goldmic: Q: Where do you record? What equipment do you use? Who are some of the producers you have worked with?

YUNGFADELL: A: I'm recording at my home studio right now, but in the past I've recorded in studios all over Portland. I have also done some work in L.A., Seattle and Tacoma. At the home I record on Pro Tools through my P.C. I also have a Korg D-16 and a Korg Triton I use for preproduction. I homemade a booth in the corner that seems to work cool. I have a really nice Rode K-2 mic that makes up for any thing the booth is lacking. I've worked with a lot of sold up and coming producers from all over. Around here it's been cats like Great Dame, IllAJ, Pauly Paul and Dre Cut. Elsewhere I've worked with Auditory, Ansane, Mr K.A. and Trackbangerz. All of which I hope to work with again in the future.

Goldmic: Q: Do you enjoy performing live? Do you get nervous before a show? Do you have any tips for the young artists who are just getting started performing live? What are some of the things you do or tell yourself before a show to relax?

YUNGFADELL: A: I love to perform live. Like I said before nothing compares to the energy I feel from the crowd. At first I used to be nervous before I went on stage but now I can't wait to grab the mic and go hard. I think once you experience the power of your own music you become more comfortable. I also know the best way to have a good show is to interact with the crowd, give 'em what they want and don't get too fucked up before the show. ;)

Goldmic: Q: The "Mr. Bush" video has received a good amount of attention. What were your reasons for creating the song / video? Did it come out how you originally planned?

YUNGFADELL: A: I'm happy it got the attention it did. I had a vision when writing the song and I felt that my cousin David Fuller who directed the video did a good capturing my vision. I didn't want to be just another rapper with a political song. I wanted people to understand and feel what was really going on in the Middle East and how these big corporations are killing for profit. The video sparked a lot of anger on both sides and raised a lot of questions, so I guess the response so far is what I was after.

Goldmic: Q: Are you happy with the final product ("Mr. Bush video")? What do you hope people will take away from the song / video?

YUNGFADELL: A: Extremely happy! Like I said, I hope people take a good look at how people are dying by the thousands for the personal gain of only a few. I'm not just referring to the death of people in the Middle East either, but our own troops as well. I think Bush, Cheney and all parties involved should be brought up on charges of treason for not only feeding us the whole weapons of mass destruction B.S. as an excuse to go to war, but also for the way they have used our young soldiers as pawns in their deadly game.

Goldmic: Q: What Yung Fa-Dell song has received the most love from your fans? I'm going to guess "Can I Proceed"? And what is your favorite Yung Fa-Dell song?

YUNGFADELL: A: Yeah "Can I Proceed", "Because of U" and "Man On My Own" have received a lot of love. Most people can listen to my music and find something they can relate to and really feel. It depends on the person though. I don't really have a favorite song. It is usually the song I'm working on at the time. I'm working on a few new tracks now and I feel have reached yet another level of creativity . I'm excited to hear the final mix!!

Goldmic: Q: What hip-hop artist (dead or alive) do you most admire? What hip-hop artist in your opinion would the hip-hop world be better off without?

YUNGFADELL: A: 2pac of course! For the aggression he displayed on the mic and Ded Prez for always spittin the real! As far as the whole rap game being better without, I would say any artist that plays a role and continues to contradict themselves and you know like I know, there are a lot of 'em out there. I feel that if you stand for certain things and have a message behind your music, be true to that! It seems that now days most rappers are puppets on a string and the labels are like Jeppeto. It seems that rappers tend to stray away from who they really are to get paid and because of that the game has become polutied with these fake ass so called rappers. It really makes it hard for real cats to capture the attention the public like we so desprately need to.

Goldmic: Q: What is your favorite aspect of being a hip-hop artist? What is your least favorite?

YUNGFADELL: A: The best thing about being a Hip Hop artist is having an outlet available to speak my mind and release it to the public. I have an outlet to channel my anger, frustration, sorrow, humor or happiness. Anything can be brought to life on a track and do so in a way where masses of people will be able to feel it and relate to it. But when it comes to the politics and the ego's in the music business, I could do without all that.

Goldmic: Q: Are you working on any projects currently? What should Goldmic members expect from Yung Fa-Dell in 2009?

YUNGFADELL: A: I am working on my official debut album titled the "The Resume". If all goes according to plan it should be ready mid summer 2009. I'm also starting to work on a series of street tapes which are like mix tapes but with more original music. The series will be called "The Streets Are Talkin". The first volume should be completed by spring 2009.

Goldmic: Q: There has been a lot of talk about hip-hop being dead and how it's stagnant, etc. What are your views on the state of hip-hop? Do you have an idea of were hip-hop might be headed?

YUNGFADELL: A: Without ruffling any of the big birds feathers, Hip Hop is dead!! WTF is going on?? I feel there are some mainstream artist out there who are trying to change the current direction as far as music and content. And, I would like to think the real Hip Hop heads out there are tired of hearing everybody's new single with T-pain on the hook. No diss to T-Pain, get yo' doe$$ player!! But, It's like everybody wants to be a rapper but no one has anything to rap about other than themselves. It's like a fuckin' fashion show. Ooh... look what I'm wearing, Ooh... look at my watch, Ooh... look at my ear rings. Are ya'll serious??? Unless artists start putting out real shit that is relatable, I'm afraid Hip Hop will remain dead. Simply put it's time for us as artist to start leading this new generation instead of misleading it.

Goldmic: Q: What are your thoughts on the Obama victory? Were you at all surprised? What do you expect an Obama administration to be like.

YUNGFADELL: A: Wow!! It was incredible to see what America is really supposed to stand for shine at it's highest peak. Opportunity, freedom, the right to be heard and the right to dream. It wasn't easy, but the man rose above all the rest and accomplished the unthinkable. Especially after all the attacks and insults he suffered from the racist rightwing machine. I'm just glad to see that America could see through their lies and didn't fall for the okey doke for the um-teenth time. After the initial shock wore off it really made sense to me, because if you listen to the man and hear him out you can feel how sincere he is. Once the American public realized that, race was no longer an issue. President Obama is still faced with an even tougher challenge. For him to take on as president after Bush has F'ed up virtually everything, is going to be even harder than winning the election. I do feel that if any administration can lead us forward as a country, it is the Obama administration. Good luck to you my brotha'!!

Goldmic: Q: Any final words or comments to Goldmic members?

YUNGFADELL: A: Remember to always keep an open mind and remember the world revolves around the all mighty dollar. If you can't see past that dollar you are truly lost as a person. Respect and honor comes from more than a bank account or a $100,000 car. Last, I give all the love and all the thanks to everyone who has supported me.
I won't let you down in 2009!!!