Mkparu CJ (Chijoke, Carl Jones) a.k.a Young Gifted Black (YGB) is a Hip Hop artiste, songwriter, model and fashion designer from Anambra state, Nigeria. He was born on the 21st of May, 1991 and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education in the University of Lagos (UniLag) and he is currently running a Second Degree in Music in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. As a kid he listened to Classical genera like Beethoven, Handel, Bach, Andrea Bocelli, Mozart but eventually grew into Hip Hop. In this interview, YGB gives us an insight into his life and career.
Tell us about your childhood and educational background.
Growing up was fun and practically I thank God for it because it improved my overall psychology on life. I was born in Enugu state, the legendary coal city “042”, and in 1997 my family and I moved to Lagos.
I attended VON Primary School, Enugu until in 1997 when I moved to Lagos, I continued at VICWIN Preparatory School, Onipetesi Estate and I was the valedictorian of my set. In 2002, after my primary education, Pops made me attend a secondary school in the east ”Federal Government College Nise, Awka, Anambra state because he wanted me to be grounded in the Igbo culture and to learn the language properly and I finished in 2008. I obtained a BSc in Mathematics in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and currently, am pursing a second degree in Music in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state (UNIZIK).
Wow… a degree in music, why?
Well…. I believe my music talent is inborn, but I want to broaden my scope and I think that learning the basics will impact and improve my career. Also, am studying music due to the nature of the genre am trying to create “Hip Hop Fusion” which is mixing Hip Hop with Afro beats and Soul and that is a wonderful pieces of art.
Who/What inspired you to go into music?
While growing up, i was influenced by Pops into the Classical genre like Beethoven, Handel, Bach, Andrea Bocelli, Mozart and the rest of them also got unto Yanni but that was later on in life. Hip Hop on the other hand was totally something that robbed off on me, thanks to my elder brother and trust me I am loving it, I remember because he always got these albums home and I just rip the whole thing into my desktop back then and I play it all day, from N.W.A. to Jay-Z to DMX to Flipmode to D12 to Nas and all that just made me love the act… Nas made me want to practice, I also happened to be one of those who now say I ‘used’ to be a Jay-Z fan… So after all these and getting into the music class in my secondary school we were asked to make remixes of any song we wanted and well while everybody chose to go reggae or RnB or some other genres, I just didn’t see any other genre that would fit just like Hip Hop did, Hip Hop is just that all weather, all situation, all mood genre you just have to either turn up or turn down the tempo.
When did your music career kickoff?
Officially I kicked off my Hip Hop career in 2008 upon gaining admission into University of Lagos, there I was opportune to meet with a couple Hip Hop Heads like XII gauge to Jay Berg, to Murder Ace, Calculus, Dez “Black jesus back then”, Diverse whom I owe a lot for putting through the roughest parts of starting a Hip Hop career, Curte Brown “Cjay back then” whom I hit up my first stage performance in school with, also was opportune to meet Dark Poet, the late Da Grin whom wasn’t a student but always came around to share his insights and lyricism with us, and a whole lot of other rappers it’s like a whole long list but the two people whom got me headed in the direction of a music career must be Diverse and the King Kong himself ‘Vector’ that dude can rap to a talking drum and about anything he sees and he had me develop the skill too and it has kept me going. I also happen to have had the opportunity to be a founding member of Unilag Allstars. So music started off in 2008 and seven years after I am working on releasing my debut mix tape at the end of the Year titled “Diary of a YGB [Yung Gifted Black]”.
Hmm… Diary of a YGB, tell me about it.
Diary of a YGB is exactly what the name implies.. a diary. It is made up of 14songs which symbolizes 2weeks on a diary. Addressing me, my problems, my joys, hardship or royalty when it comes to the mic. Its not just focused on me but also on every young gifted black out there being told he/she isn’t worth it or can’t succeed. 4 out of 14 of the beats will be by the legendary Paul Cbbin USA, Kurt Terra from South Africa who is my producer/international manager have 5 slots on the mix tape. Two songs off it was inspired by my best friend Ms Dwane and other people have their various inputs.
The whole concept of the diary is to create a work piece that at least gets played once a day since its going to be in track days instead of track numbers. So, while you have track one on another artists work, you have 1st Monday on mine.
And the name YGB, what does it mean?
YGB means Young Gifted Black and apart from being a stage name YGB happens to be my identity, I totally dig the concept of brand building so I knew I had to find a name that sums up everything about me without being too complex and honestly, I can’t remember where YGB popped out from but when it did I knew this was it, Yung Gifted Black… there is no better way to put it…
Which artistes would you like to work with?
My Dream project is a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, yes Kendrick and a complete one would have Kanye West handling production might as well just quit after that LOL…, well apart from him I still have the likes of Meek Mill & Wale. Back home here I would like to work with Don Jazzy, Jesse Jags, TuFace, Eva, Patoranking, Davido, Vector, Burna Boy, Sarkodie, Cynthia Morgan, Chidinma, FeFe, Emma Nyra, would give almost anything for a song with Asa, I also hope to work with BOJ, Blackmagic, it’s a long list I tell you…
Apart from the Diary of a YGB, are you handling any other projects?
I look forward to the official kick off of my foundation ALG foundation {Atomic Life Guard foundation} which looks into Child care and skills development, we are planning on working with various NGO’s to make this successful. And I hope to use this medium to payback to my country.
And YGB’s life philosophy quotes:
Stress yourself a lot more than you stress others; don’t let anything or anyone get in between you and your happiness; work till you are vying for the same spot with your idols and in the words of the Late Steve Jobs “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”…
YGB is indeed a young gifted black.
Listen to Book of Rhymes by YGB:
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