In an industry that has been long male dominated since its advent, rising rap star Yaya is resolute about illuminating the reality that women are, just as if not, more paramount to the modern-day pertinence of Hip-Hop.
Hailing from an enclave that has bred some of the greatest Hip-Hop entities of all-time, some of which include DMX, The Lox and Mary J. Blidge: Yonkers, NY, Yaya is carrying the torch as a fresh newcomer with an undeniable flow and edgy demeanor.
Dripping with palpable verve and unbridled confidence, Yaya doesn’t rap merely for the sake of rapping. She yearns for her audience to genuinely feel every pulse of her content.
Driven by her insatiable desire to properly represent for the “everyday” woman, which is something too often overlooked in modern-day Hip-Hop, Yaya intends on bringing something novel to the game that’s never truly been actualized before.
With a vibe reminiscent of Remy Ma and Meek Mill but still very much authentic, Yaya is a striking lyricist with potent punchlines and feminist-driven bars for days.
Buzzing off the good vibes and positive energy of her latest single: “Who’s That Girl” ft. Danasia Manaya, Yaya just dropped an accompanying video. Just as hilarious and fun as it is poised and professional, Yaya demonstrates her lowkey ability to choreograph and dance herself on top of her impressive lyrical acumen.
Before taking off to higher heights, JaJuan Malachi of The Knockturnal was fortunate enough to chop it up with the burgeoning young lyricist in Queens to discuss goals for her career, female representation in Hip-Hop today, music she can’t live without and more.
Here’s how the conversation played out:
JaJuan: So Yaya, first and foremost, thank you for taking the time to speak with me on behalf of The Knockturnal. So, I guess to kick things off, for people who aren’t yet familiar with you, tell us a little bit about your background and where you’re from?
Yaya: So first off, I just wanna say thank you for having me. I am Yaya. The Yaya . I’m from Yonkers, NY. I’m 23. I’m here to change the world.
JaJuan: Dope! Dope! I love it. So I’m curious to know: when did you first discover you had a talent for rap? Was this an early on thing or was this a relatively new revelation that you came across
Yaya: So, this was a relatively new discovery. I started doing poetry in high school. You couldn’t have told me that it was going to turn into this. I met some local rappers. I started doing freestyles on Instagram and from there, the freestyles eventually turned into “Yaya, pull up to the studio and from there, I got my first little shot and from then, I feel like I fell in love with music.
JaJuan: That’s so dope! So being from Yonkers, who would you say were some of your biggest musical influences growing up?
Yaya: Ummm….
JaJuan: Or does the fact that they’re from Yonkers not even really matter?
Yaya: So ok, I feel like most people want me to say “Jadakiss” or like “Styles P”
JaJuan: The quintessential figures of Yonkers pretty much.
Yaya: Yeah exactly *chuckles* But a lot of people don’t realize that I am an R&B girly. Like, I love R&B. So for me, my biggest inspiration was Mary J. Blidge. Like to me, she made me feel like success was tangible. Like, we’re from the same projects. Same background. I feel like I see a lot of her in me. It just made me feel like I could do this. If she came from where I came from, it’s not that far from me. I thank her! She’s a huge inspiration.
JaJuan: Shoutout to the Queen! Mary J. I was fortunate to see her this summer. Apple Music had a little private performance, which was really dope but I’m curious to know: How was your experience making your latest single: “Who’s That Girl”? I love the opening skit.
Yaya: Um, it was exciting. From getting the beat made to the studio session. From the script reading to dance practice. It’s one thing to do what you love but to do what you love with people you love. It doesn’t feel like a job. It feels like I also have total creative control because I am independent, which is dope! That’s definitely the best part about it.
JaJuan: Yeah, it legit felt like pure fun. Like, that’s really what it felt like. It didn’t feel contrived, it felt very much organic. The people around me are organic.
Yaya: Yeah, the people around me are organic.
JaJuan: Word! I’ve been using that word a lot today.
Yaya: *wholesome laughter*
JaJuan: So I’m curious with regard to the song, how’d you team up with Danasia Manaya?
Yaya: So we worked at the same summer youth program growing up.
JaJuan: Back in Yonkers?
Yaya: *laughs* yeah, back in Yonkers.
JaJuan: Haha, classic.
Yaya: So back then, music was a thing for either of us. Originally when I first went to the studio, I tried to sing the hook myself. I was channeling like my inner Beyonce and she just wouldn’t come. So I felt like I needed someone to come sing this hook. So Danasia was the first person who came to mind. Um, I knew whoever would sing it would need to have a lighter voice. I feel like I have a deeper voice and even when I sing, it’s deeper. I wanted someone with a soft sound to still give it that kind of Summer Walker kind of updated feel. She was perfect. The vibe was dope. It was just me and her and the engineer and we had a lot of fun. Nervous at first. I feel like you see the chemistry in the song.
JaJuan: Yeah, yeah for sure. I love the contrast of tonality between you guys.
Yaya: So, I did right.
JaJuan: Yeah, y’all did that fasho.
Yaya: Haha, word!
JaJuan: So over the last few years, there has been a major influx of female rappers to grace the landscape. Some of my personal faves include Rico Nasty, Doechii, Tierra Whack, Meg The Stallion, Latto, the list goes on. With this being said, how important is female representation in Hip-Hop to you?
Yaya: I think it’s really important. Being young, black and a woman, I want to represent myself. But, I also feel like I haven’t felt seen since Nicki stopped being Nicki. And when I say that, I mean Nicki in her prime. They’re a lot of rap girlies. I pay attention. I’m very intuitive. But, I feel like it’s so oversexualized sometimes to the point where regular girls like me are overlooked maybe up until like Glorilla. She’s the closest I’ve seen. Besides that, no. I feel like we forget about the girls in limbo. The girls who don’t have it all figured out. Who don’t got the BBL. Or who don’t scam or just girls trying to figure it out.
JaJuan: The everyday woman.
Yaya: Yes, the everyday woman.
JaJuan: That’s a really interesting observation for sure. I definitely didn’t think about that.
Yaya: Yeah, of course not.
*mutual laughter*
JaJuan: Yeah, the hypersexual stuff is just always at the forefront.
Yaya: Always!
JaJuan: Yeah, it’s to the point where we forget about even like the Rapsody’s of the world. Like, Rapsody is one of the best out.
Yaya: And so overlooked.
JaJuan: Yeah, so overlooked. She has her own aesthetic and it’s a dope aesthetic.
Yaya: Yeah, everybody, don’t worry! I’m coming.
*mutual laughter*
JaJuan: Yes indeed, you’re up next. So outside of rap, what are some of your other creative outlets?
Yaya: Ok so, outside of music, I’m a comedian.
JaJuan: Oh really? Do you have any favorite comedians?
Yaya: Bernie Mac and Marlon Wayans.
JaJuan: Ok, those are some good ones. R.I.P Bernie Mac
Yaya: But aside from that, I dance. I told you. I met a lot of my creative team through dancing.
JaJuan: What type of dancing?
Yaya: Of course like Hip-Hop dancing. But um, dancing. I feel like that’s something I got to incorporate in “Who’s That Girl.” I gave you guys just a sneak peek. I can make a choreo. I made up the choreo actually.
JaJuan: Wow! That’s hella impressive. I’m not even
Yaya: And even for my shows and performances and everything I made my dancers do, I made everything up.
JaJuan: Gotcha. I saw that performance at SOB’s btw. Y’all really killed it.
Yaya: Thanks! But yeah, dance. I feel like it’s something I definitely wanna incorporate in my music and along this journey. Because I feel like when you think about singers, a lot of singers dance but what rappers dance? Offset?
*laughter*
JaJuan: Does Offset actually dance?
Yaya: Yes.
JaJuan: Oh, I didn’t even know that.
Yaya: Yeah, him and Chris Brown were thinking about having a battle.
JaJuan: Oh nah, he’s wildin.’ He’s gotta chill.
*mutual laughter*
JaJuan: So if you could only listen to three albums, which ones would they be and why?
Yaya: Pink Friday is #1.
JaJuan: Are you a barb?
*snickering*
Yaya: I’m thee BARB
*laughs*
JaJuan: Barbz are unapologetic about their support.
Yaya: Because she deserves it.
JaJuan: She does for sure. Okay, Okay, so we’ve got Pink Friday.
Yaya: It’s the first and only physical album I’ve ever owned. Besides that, I’m gonna do “You Should Be Here” by Kehlani.
JaJuan: That’s another great one.
Yaya: And then, I’m going to do Summer Walker “Over It.” I told you because I’m an R&B girl. She was just important, I feel like in college.
JaJuan: Yeah, she had a moment!
Yaya: She had thee moment! For me, I feel like she kind of opened that door for new R&B. And I feel like as far as the connection she had in terms of heartbreak and things like that. I wanna be able to do that with my own project. I wanna be kind like the first female rapper to take what Summer Walker did. As far as painting that picture of heartbreak, getting it together, confidence building.
JaJuan: Yeah, she’s deep in her music. One of my favorite songs by her is Constant Bulls**t. That’s my joint right there.
Yaya: She’s one of them ones.
JaJuan: So as far as career trajectory, are you seeking to be signed to a label or are you carving your own route on the independent side of things?
Yaya: I think in a perfect world, I’d love to remain independent. I’d love to remain independent just because I want the creative control. I want to be able to get my ideas out there. Um, but I feel like life be life’ing, so if getting signed is what gives me that stardom I’m seeking. I feel like in the long run as long as I get to the point where I’m able to regain my full arts control. But right now, I’m seeking any help and not all help is good help. But just getting Yaya on a larger scale. All that’s missing is the money. That’s all that’s missing. So whatever gets me there.
JaJuan: It’s really only a matter of time.
Yaya: Oh, I’m certain of that. I am so certain.
JaJuan: So for my next and final question, I wanted to know: where do you see Yaya five years from now?
Yaya: Famous! Uh, running music. Having it. I don’t know, I feel like my faith is so strong. I see longevity. You know how like in today’s world, especially with artists with TikTok. It’s easy to get discouraged with all this overnight success. And I feel like these artists sign to these labels with one good song. I don’t want just one good song for me. And I feel like, even with the rap girlies, nobody has had the run that Nicki Minaj has had. And, I plan on surpassing that. And I feel like no female has survived decades of rap in the same context that we’ve seen Jay-Z or Nas. How like Jay-Z went from the early 80s, he was able to dominate the 90s. He gave you HOV DID. So I feel like as a female, you’re gonna watch me grow.
JaJuan: So sort of transcending generations.
Yaya: And dominating.
JaJuan: Yeah, I feel that. I feel like that’s a good point. When you think about Queen Latifah and artists like her during that time frame. You know, their relevance is kind of stuck in a vacuum of that time period. I hope that this comes into fruition for you.
Yaya: Yup! It’s coming. It’s only a matter of time.
To keep up with Yaya, follow her on Instagram.
