HOT 95.7 believes in putting a spotlight on local talent. Every month we feature a different recording artist from Iowa who is making an impact in the music community and showcase them throughout the month in the After Hours Mix with DJ NYJ and DJ Commando.
To be considered for HOT 95.7's #ArtistOnFire, send an email to HOT957@iheartmedia.com with the subject line #ArtistOnFire
HOT 95.7's #ArtistOnFire for May is DJ K Yung!
UPDATED: LIVE INTERVIEW BELOW!
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MAY - DJ K Yung
Instagram - @DJKYung
Twitter - @DJKYung
You can hear DJ K Yung's song "Freaks" on Spotify HERE. "Freaks" will be featured in the After Hours Mix at midnight on Friday Nights with DJ NYJ and Saturday Nights with DJ Commando. Read our interview with her below!
Q: DJ K-Yung, we are excited to have you as our Artist On Fire for May! We’ve featured hip-hop, pop and R&B artists but you’re the first producer to join the ranks. How long have you been a DJ? Do you remember the moment in your life that made you want to pursue music as a career? Was it a song you heard or a show you were at?
A: I’ve been a DJ for 11 years now. I started out managing artists when my friend an r&b singer tried out for “Making the Band”. She made it pretty far but then after not making it she asked me to help her with her career and that really was the beginning. After about a year I then decided in order to push her and my other artists, I needed to become a DJ. I had messed around in high school with turntables but that was all. After a bit I realized it was something I wanted to pursue as my own.
Q: Talk about your favorite artists growing up and your biggest musical influences.
A: I was born in the 80’s but I am a total 90’s -early 2000’s music kid. That’s when urban music was really brought into my life. The first group I was introduced too was Bone Thugs n Harmony and Eazy E. I don’t think I have a musical influence as after that I just became engulfed in all types of music and musicians.
Q: As a DJ who happens to be a woman, what advice do you have for young women who aspire to get into the music industry?
A: I want them to know that being a woman shouldn’t be an excuse for being turned down, told no, or not succeeding. Work hard, know what you want and go get it. Yes there will be challenges as a woman in this male dominated industry but if you show you can handle yourself emotionally and work load, you can gain the respect and trust ... and then eventually being a “woman” will be an afterthought.
Q: “Freaks” is a sexually charged song. What do you say to anyone who has an issue with women speaking frankly about sexuality in music?
A: I actually was leery about releasing it at first. It is very sexual and it is a very mature song. But I finally released it after deciding that it should be heard. It’s ok for men to have options and opinions on women in their life and in their music but if you listen to the words, it’s actual empowering as if to say “I can play this game too. I can be empowering in my own love life and I can be just as ruthless, full of love, emotional, or cheat just like men.” But in a context of power.
Q: Features are the lifeblood of many DJs and producers. Who is an artist or artists who you would love to collaborate with?
A: Ooo there are so many. I think I would actually like to collaborate with a producer (then I feel the artists would be added based on the sound of the track) like Mike Will, Steve Aoki, Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, or Pharrell or Rick Rubin.
Q: Tell us about working with ItsLyssaDoe and Dray Solis on “Freaks”
A: Dray Solis really deserves most of the credit for the track. He helped me produce it. I came up with the concept of remixing and re making Adina Howard “Freak Like Me” - he sat down and helped me pick drums, snares, sounds etc and pieced them together. He’s an amazing R&B singer and honestly has a great overall heighten sense of music for such a young kid. He’s signed to my fiancé as an artist on MidSouth Muzik so he and I have known each other for years.
itsLyssaDoe and I go back about 5 years. I managed her back when she was really young. We did another single of mine with 2 other girls and I landed them a single deal. It didn’t go much farther than what it did but on one was really ready for the deal. She ended up quitting music and moving but when she came back a few months ago, she and I through a mutual friend linked back up and she asked if I would reconsider. I decided yes and the first thing I did was put her on the track. She’s come back more focused and mature and I’m so excited to see how things progress.
Q: What’s something about the Iowa music scene you want people to know about?
A: You don’t have to move to be seen and heard. All these artists think they need to leave to make it. Yes eventually you will have too once your career reaches “that level” but I have been able to create a brand and name without leaving. I’m on Sirius XM as a guest mixshow DJ, to owning my own online radio station to becoming a Jr. A&R under Andre Williams at UMG without having to pick up and move to an over saturated market. I was able to quit my job of 11 years to become a full time self-employed DJ and host. I’ve traveled even internationally. This isn’t me trying to brag, this is me saying you can do this exact same thing in Iowa as I have done for myself. There is nothing different between you and I. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to leap. How do you know if you are going to fail if you never try?