Hip Hop music is fun and for many, a necessary soundtrack to life. But, when life gets real, sometimes the colorful language and blatant obsession for material possessions and lustful desires does not bring peace to the mind or soul. Sometimes, you just need real talk, real inspiration.
Young So and DJ Joey Blaq of Blaq Ent. does just that with their Anti-Brainwashing Music movement. The singing/rapping duo, who recently attended the BET Music Awards, has been putting in work performing all over California and neighboring states.
The MouthSoap was first exposed to the duo at a LA farmer’s market open mic performance. Full of enthusiasm, the rap group set to stage with surprisingly energetic and positive lyrics. Kind of unheard of in a place that is infamous for rap that glamorizes street and gang culture and at times, demoralizes its own people. Just looking at them, one would be foolish enough to assume that they live that life. Instead, Young So and DJ Joey Blaq rapped about the ills of trying to stay on the straight and narrow path.
Their songs were about their allegiance to their spiritual development and anti-industry agenda. Some label their rap style as Christian rap. But, let’s be real. They have skills, period. Just checking Young So’s Instagram page, he slays his lyrics with passion that can be felt through the screen.
“Anti-brainwashing music is what you get when you’re tired of the same old hip hop sound,” Young So said in a statement. “You know the sound, money, cars, clothes, hoes, sex, murder in every song. Anti-brainwashing music has the same flare and catchy lyrics, but with a continuous mind and positive vibes.”
These brothers show us how to maintain a burgeoning rap career without the shenanigans and facade of what many think should be of an upcoming rap star. Blaq Ent. brings pressure, for sure.
Young So recently released a single with DJ Joey Blaq called ‘Antibrainwash’, now available on most streaming platforms, including Amazon, Spotify and Google Play.
Young So
The MouthSoap had a chance to interview the Young So:
TMS: How did you guys get started?
YS & DJB: Me and my bro got started at a very early age trying to make our own recordings on cassette tapes in the late 90s. Music has always been an integral part of our lives.
TMS: What brought you both to the Christian Life?
YS & DJB: Being raised by a believing family was the foundation, but we didn’t always make Christian music. It was after learning the truth about the world and the systems of it that made our desire for God overwhelming.
TMS: Who would you like to collaborate with?
YS & DJB: We would be interested in collaborating with artists like Snoop Dogg, Lacrae, Kanye West and few other mainstream artists who have dabbled with the idea of putting a message of God in their music.
TMS: What are your future plans?
YS & DJB: Our future plans are to change the perception of what Hip-Hop can be to bridge the gap between secular music and spiritual music on a mainstream level to bring the message of Jesus Christ into places that would otherwise never hear it.
TMS: What advice would you give other rappers?
YS & DJB: Create original, authentic music. Stop copying the same template from what is now the dying industry. Don’t be afraid to be who you are, even if that means going against the grain.
Upcoming performance dates will be announced soon.
