Young(In) Talks South Side Roots, Mixtape "Preliminaries" and Creative Evolution On iLLANOiZE Radio

By: I'Ja Marie

Chicago's own Young(In) drops by iLLANOiZE Radio for an in-depth conversation about his music journey, his creative process, and the inspiration behind his latest mixtape, "preliminaries." Hailing from the South Side, Young(In) is a multi-talented writer who seamlessly blends poetry, noveling, and rap, using his craft as an escape and a powerful storytelling tool.
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In this interview, Young(In) opens up about his upbringing and how it has shaped his artistic voice. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to pursue a career in rap and the significant impact that poetry and noveling have on his songwriting. Young(In) also gives us a peek into his creative process, revealing whether he starts with a beat, lyrics, or a concept.

We dive deep into "preliminaries.," a mixtape featuring 13 tracks that reflect his unique vision and lyrical prowess that will be coming out soon. Reflecting on his growth, Young(In) recounts his journey from nervously performing at SocialWorks' OpenMike event to leading Cleva Cyphers, a Chicago-based series that highlights emerging artists. He discusses how his confidence as a storyteller has evolved and shares his aspirations in the music industry, hinting at exciting upcoming projects and collaborations.

For aspiring artists, Young(In) offers candid advice on staying true to oneself while navigating the music industry and balancing artistic integrity with commercial success.
Catch the full interview tonight on YouTube, and be inspired by Young(In)'s journey and insights. For more captivating conversations, tune in to the iLLANOiZE Radio show every Saturday from 4pm - 6pm CST.

Watch below on YouTube and subscribe, or stream the audio on your preferred podcast platform here.
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Last year, SocialWorks featured Young(In) in an article, “Me, Myself, and a Microphone: An OPENMIKE Story,” detailing his initial nerves and how he overcame them. ​