Even though his name is Yung Wun, a sit down with this Atlanta rapper in his early twenties might convince you that Elder Wun would be a more fitting title. His bio reads like a script from a mid-90’s ‘hood saga about a young teenager trying survive life with the fucked up hand he was dealt. His experiences (growing up in Atlanta’s notorious Eastlake Meadows, having his grandmother die in his arms as a teenager, and a 36-month stint in jail) explain why he greets each song with blend of anger and aggression. Hell, judging from the blood-curdling energy that he conveys through his music Yung Wun should be bouncing off of walls and hanging from chandeliers every time you see him.
Surprisingly, from sitting with him for an extended amount of time you will see that he is a reserved young adult living life one day at a time. Or in this particular case, one song at a time. Slightly reclined in a pearl white BMW parked outside of Atlanta’s ritzy Lenox Mall, Yung Wun is enjoying a Newport in a head-bobbing closed-eye trance, vibing to tracks.
You might assume that they’re all cuts from his recent Full Surface/J Records solo debut The Dirtiest Thirstiest. But most of them are not. “This is some other shit,” he says with a devilish grin hinting that this is music that he is saving for later.
Yung Wun definitely has enough recorded material as well as enough to write about. According to the cathartic intro “I Can’t Take It No More,” he’s been in and out of recording booths for “8 years 5 months 6 days 9 hours,” and is finally dropping a record. He’s also had to suffer through faulty record deals where people were stealing his songs.
But nowadays the only thing Yung Wun has to worry about being taken from him is privacy, as he is becoming a recognizable face in the industry. He has already shared the mic with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Scarface and fellow Ruff Ryder Jadakiss. Earlier this year he had the opportunity to “Tear It Up” with Lil’ Flip, David Banner, and DMX on his lead single. David Banner also provided the track and came through with another guest appearance on Yung Wun’s second single, “Walk It, “Talk It.”
However, the high-profile cameos and backing from Swizz Beats have some naysayers insisting that he can’t hold his own. “Man, I ain’t worried about that shit,” he quips when asked how he feels about that notion.
By the time the CD reaches its last song, Yung Wun has went through three ‘Ports and is firing up another with a look of artistic satisfaction on his face. When queried about the many emotions shown on his solo offering he laughs and whispers, “Dawg. I got like, eight souls inside of me. You’re talking to Yung Wun right now, but tomorrow, ain’t no telling who you might be talking to.”
Yung Wun might not know who he is going to be tomorrow, but at least he knows that he doesn’t want to be who he was yesterday.
- Maurice G. Garland (Photo: Julia Beverly)
