With his debut album on the horizon, Yung Kayo is poised to be the next poster child of Young Stoner Life.
While Young Thug’s newest protege is slated to release his YSL debut DOWN FOR THE KOUNT on Feb. 4 — touting impressive features from Gunna, Yeat and Eartheater — Kayo finds balance in the gritty nuances of underground trap. Boasting similarities to his YSL compatriots while maintaining his signature sound, Kayo is well on his way to become one of the most revered teen phenoms in the game — backed by the behemoth that’s Young Stoner Life.
At just 18 years old, YSL’s youngest member has garnered some impressive co-signs in the last year. His appearances on Slime Language 2 are accompanied by features from Lil Uzi Vert, Sheck Wes, Yak Gotti and Young Thug, as the compilation tape marked Kayo’s first appearance on a Billboard No. 1 record.
His taste in fashion is clearly well-respected as OGM host Hakeem Rowe inquires on his favorite brands throughout the interview. Bubbly and energetic, the blossoming lyricist has been long known to walk the runway at fashion shows for brands such as ALYX and Vetements.
Despite Kayo holding his upcoming full-length project since 2020, fans received a handful of singles in the meantime — previewing his unique energy that’s sure to emanate the emotion of his album. Its lead single “It’s a Monday” presents a motivational banger with a sample-heavy instrumental and a healthy combination of rapping and singing.
Just a week ahead of its release, Kayo dropped off one last sneak peak to DFTK with “YEET” featuring the current underground king YEAT. Both rappers drop vicious bars over the intense instrumental, coming complete with fast-paced visuals of the duo on a train.
As Kayo readies for his long-awaited YSL debut, he sat down with Hakeem in the studio to speak on DOWN FOR THE KOUNT, “Glitch,” Young Thug, Yeat, fashion and more!
Check out Yung Kayo’s exclusive interview below!
Quotable Moments
Hakeem Rowe: How did that first call from [Young Thug] go?
Yung Kayo: “It was good, cuz I was in DC at that time and I was just a young n****. He called me, flew me out to LA. We was out there for like three weeks, we were locking in, going bowling, playing with his snakes, in the studio just having fun. Just great vibes.”
HR: How did you [and Warpstr] meet and start this musical relationship?
YK: “He from where I’m from, he’s from the DMV. He went to a school near the school that I went to, we in the same neighborhood… Warp is a GOAT, for real. It’s good communication between us, good energy everytime.”
HR: You announced this shit back in 2020. What made [DOWN FOR THE KOUNT] take so long to come out?
YK: “I just like to make stuff right… I like to make shit come out how I want it to come out. Especially if it’s gonna be put out for people that have been waiting on something I just want it to be the right way for them… It would be disrespectful to do it any other way.”
