The Redefinition of New York Rap

If there’s one thing that it seems everyone, young and old, can agree on, it’s love for Young M.A. New York’s unlikeliest new star was also its most winning—a gritty bar-spitter, unabashedly gay, from various Brooklyn locales but who spent a good part of her youth in the South, she represented her native borough like no other. “She’s in that tradition of a vicious rapper, her bars are incredible,” says Wilson. “When you meet her, you know right away there’s something special about her.” “She keeps it hood,” adds Premier. “And I love that.” M.A had already been on the come up for a couple years, but “OOOUUU” blew the doors open, a late-spring and summer smash that launched a thousand remixes and loads of high profile fans, including Nicki Minaj, Remy Ma, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, French Montana and Young M.A’s personal hero, 50 Cent.

“IT’S THAT TIME FOR NEW YORK TO GET BACK TO BEING ON TOP AGAIN.” – YOUNG M.A.

“He was straight New York City,” M.A says. “The first song I heard was ‘Wanksta.’ I was like, ‘Who is this?’ And it wasn’t until I seen the video that I was like, ‘Yo this dude is dope.’ I just thought he was the flyest, the swaggiest dude ever. The way he flowed, the way he spit, the things he say, he was just like, cool.” All things that could be said right now about M.A herself, who proudly stands for her city. “It’s that time for New York to get back to being on top again,” she says. “And that doesn’t discredit the South or West or Midwest—they’re going to do what they do. But I’m from New York City, and I gotta rep New York City.”

At the same time, as much as M.A’s street style may excite rap purists, she takes a live-and-let-live attitude to other sounds. “I have nothing against Lil Yachty or the other guys, I listen to that music from time to time,” she concedes. “It’s a club type record. But to me hip-hop is separate, and what they do is their own thing. And basically, if you don’t wanna hear it, don’t listen to it!” 

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