Meet Elijah Young

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Young.

Elijah, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started rapping in 7th grade. I was super into music and poetry, but it wasn’t until my friend Dylan asked me to write a rap with him in our English class. At this point in my life, I had already been in and out of foster care and didn’t really know my parents, and at this point specifically, I remember feeling very lonely until Dylan approached me and asked me to rap with him. Me and Dylan had been friends since 1st grade. His mom and my dad dated for awhile.

After 7th grade, I got too old to live with my foster parents, so me and my sister got adopted out and moved to AZ to love with family. But I also stayed rapping and making music and it’s something that keeps me going. Regardless of popularity or recognition. It helps me feel accepted.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not all the time. Like I said, I spent a lot of time in CPS and fostered care as a child. When I was 5, my mom had left and abandoned me and my siblings with different family members. So we all got separated. At the time, my mom was single and my dad had gone to jail for beating her, so she really didn’t have any help. We grew up in basements and small apartments.

After my dad had got out, he picked all of us up and me and my siblings got to live together for a short time before he started reverting back to old alcoholic and violent tendencies. Ultimately, we ended up in foster care and stayed there until we moved to AZ.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I’m a rapper/songwriter/singer. A lot of people say “artist,” but I’m very proud to call myself a rapper and singer. I’ve worked hard to become a storyteller and I have a certain appreciation for words, something a lot of “artists” don’t have. I’m proud of the fact that I can take very terrible situations from my life and others and tell it in a way that people can relate to and see as beautiful or creative. I’ve always wanted to be someone that people can relate to and feel safe with when things get crazy in their own life.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As far as success, I feel like I got what I’ve been looking for. I feel confident in what I do, I have people who like what I do, and family and friends who support me and encourage me to do my best. As a kid, I felt like no one was there or ever will be. I’ve always been very hard on myself for that reason, so to know I have a couple people who actually like me for me and for what I do, it’s the best feelings. Let’s me know I have something I’m good at those people like.

Contact Info:

• Email: elijahyoungmusic@live.com
• Instagram: @_elijahyoung
• Facebook: Facebook.com/ElijahYoungRaps
• Twitter: @_elijahyoung

Image Credit:
Alex Kotz

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