Get to know Yung Pooda.
After going viral with his Cool & Dre produced track, Repeat Dat, Texas rapper Yung Pooda is gearing up for his debut project, Vivd Pictures. During the past few months of Quarantine, Pooda buckled down and finished up his debut project in addition to reconnecting with his inner self. After signing with It’s A Records, Pooda was introduced to Grammy-Award winning duo Cool & Dre, who produced Pooda’s entire project. Today Pooda joins us to discuss his upcoming work and his musical journey.
Pooda has worked alongside legends like Boosie Badazz, Slim Thug, Z-Ro, and Paul Wall.
The Knockturnal: How old were you the first time you freestyled or wrote a rap for the first time?
Yung Pooda: I wrote my very first rap when I was 9. I wrote it and performed it on a karaoke machine.
The Knockturnal: At what age did you start experimenting with music and taking it seriously?
Yung Pooda: When I got out of high school that’s when I was focusing on it every single day.
The Knockturnal: What have been some milestones in your career so far? How did it feel to see “Repeat Dat” go viral.
Yung Pooda: It was surprising. It was definitely a blessing. I knew it was going to do well, but I didn’t think it was going to go that fast.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel like signing to a record label?
Yung Pooda: I signed with It’s A 10 Records, a boutique label. They work with Cool & Dre so they already had them for me. They sent me a beat pack right after I got signed. I was excited I felt like God kept his promise.
The Knockturnal: What events led up to you signing?
Yung Pooda: Around 2016, My cousin and I were splitting the rent, we had a house and we were just talking about making the transition from the streets to music. I had already had a name due to the streets and music. I went to a showcase in 2017 and they had 6 people, one guy names Heavy, who manages Heavy and Slim Thug. He liked my music and said he’d connect me with his people, he introduced me to this company called results management. I was with them for about 3 years. 2018 came around, Boosie came to Houston and I had paid for a slot to open for him. I followed him around for the rest of his tour, I was getting the experience of what it would be like. I twas amazing to learn from legends like that.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about your upcoming debut album, Vivid Pictures?
Yung Pooda: The title is – I feel like I’m a visionary and my life’s been a movie. I been through so many situations, It just felt right. The name vivid pictures is going to take you through this emotional roller coaster. The project is a piece of art, it’s special because it relays deeps messages as well as some turn-up songs. Working with cool & Dre on the whole project allowed me to tap into my creativity more and gave me motivation and inspiration.
The Knockturnal: How has Quarantine affected your creative process?
Yung Pooda: I started reading more, started meditating more. I started painting.
The Knockturnal: What do you have coming down the pipeline?
Yung Pooda: More visuals o the way and the EP is dropping soon.
