Meet Emerging Grime Artist Yxng Dave
Emerging rapper Yxng Dave is taking the grime scene by storm. At only 17 -years old, the rising MC from Reading has dropped a plethora of freestyles, including his Sudan Freestyle and BL@CKBOX cypher. With a fiery flow, a growing fan base and the release of his debut single ‘Tokyo Drift’ with fellow rap artist Jallow, Yxng Dave is showing no signs of slowing down.
We were able to chat with him about everything from when he first started listening to Grime, how he gets in the headspace for freestyles, and so much more…
When did you first start getting into the Grime and UK Hip hop?
I started getting into Grime & UK Rap at the age of 13 from listening to artists such as Stormzy, Bugzy Malone & Santan Dave.
Is there an artist that profoundly influence your style or sound?
I feel I am influenced by Santan Dave, Avelino, Wretch 32 & Cadet for my real rap songs. For Trap/Afro Swing music, I am influenced by Not3s, M Huncho, Mo Stack, Dappy & Young Adz.
You’ve recently released a collaboration with Jallow on ‘Tokyo Drift’. How did you two end up linking up?
Jallow & I have been talking on the DMS about making music from back in March 2018, I ended up sending Jallow some freestyles, and he said he messed with it so we FaceTimed and wrote some songs together on the phone. We actually recorded two songs in the studio, but Tokyo Drift was the one we ended up putting out.
The freestyles you’ve released are insane! How do you get in the headspace for freestyles?
For my freestyles the writing lyrics part comes naturally to me, one of the most important things about music is the beat, so if I can vibe to the beat, I’m able to flow naturally on it and write my lyrics down and put it all together into a freestyle.
You are killing it so early on in your career. Have there been any roadblocks you’ve faced being so young in the game?
Most definitely there’s been roadblocks in my career being so young in the game such as people trying to take advantage of my age to give me bad deals, I’ve had to not release a music video due to issues with my old management. And funds wise it’s harder to get into the music scene as beats, studio, mix & master and the music video can all be very expensive, especially if you’re starting off in the scene with little funds to pay for this all.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be Santan Dave as I grew up on his music and he is a huge inspiration for me in the music scene, that would 100% be my dream collab.
What are you working on at the moment? Will you be releasing a mixtape or album soon?
At the moment I’m working on singles to drop soon, this past year I’ve been working on my EP and stacking up songs. The plan is to release a couple of singles then I will be ready to drop this EP with some bit collabs on it.
Describe your ideal 2020 in 5 words or less?
More Success.
Make sure to check out the video for Yxng Dave and Jallow’s track ‘Tokyo Drift’ below…
