Young Stoner Life rising star Yung Kayo led off 2022 with a bang — dropping his debut project with the label, DFTK, in February. Now, he’s ending the year just as strong as he started it, gifting fans with a new mixtape, Nineteen, on his 19th birthday (Nov. 29).
Initially sharing its fast-paced lead single “150” on Nov. 18, the DC native offhandedly announced the EP in a street interview with People Gallery. Holding seven tracks and features from Jugg and the late Lil Keed on “i wouldn’t,” Kayo has ascended as a new wave mainstay since becoming a mentee to Young Thug.
“He told me to keep going hard on every track. You next kid,” Kayo recalls of Thug’s advice to him. “I just kept going hard and kept working on my melodies.” Along with the project, he shared a 20-minute long short film that plays Nineteen through in its entirety.
Growing up in the DMV — finding solace in the area’s thriving Go-Go scene — Kayo’s been building his cultural imprint beyond the booth for quite some time. Telling us in his OGM exclusive that he started rapping at age 10, he’s walked in both Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week, as well as collaborating with Alyx and YZY SHDZ.
At just 19 years old, the collective’s youngest member has also garnered some impressive co-signs. 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.
Alongside additional features with rage pioneer Yeat, Gunna and more, Kayo’s growth is evident in the atmosperhic extension of his rage-inducing soundscape — shining brighter despite superstar-caliber talent beside him. Nineteen is not only a true embodiment of Kayo’s diligence, but another example of how his talent is next to none.
Listen to “Nineteen” below!
