“I be going at it harder than a starving beast” exclaims Yungsta on his new Elevation Entertainment release “The Path Less Traveled.” The album is chock-full of compelling, provocative, entertaining hip-hop philosophy and puts the world on notice that an exciting, uncompromising, new artist has arrived.
He was born and spent his early years on Chicago's West Side - home to groups like Do or Die and Crucial Conflict - before relocating with his family to Hoffman Estates in the northwest suburbs. And while he was heavily influenced by the West Side rap style, he has other influences as well - the South Side’s Lupe Fiasco and the late great Tupac Shakur would be on the list. That being said - Yungsta’s lyrical flow is all his own - developed from years of experience writing and rapping with his group Dun Deal. (The group released a mix-tape in 2006.)
“The Path Less Traveled” is Yungsta’s solo project – a chance to spread his wings. His songs are a mirror into his soul – rhythmically expressing his feelings about life (The Dayz, Ready to Lead, Right Here (Roll with Me)); relationships (Everythang, Get Along); adversity (Going Through It, Wrong (Til You Came Along)); and his place in the rap game (Do My Thang, Ice Cold). In addition, a bonus track featuring Dun Deal appears at the end (Elevation All-Stars). Expertly recorded and mixed by Chicago soul veteran Paul Richmond (co-writer of the early eighties smash hit “Shining Star” for the Manhattans) – and mastered by another Chicago soul luminary – Danny Leake (Stevie Wonder’s road engineer) – “The Path Less Traveled” will be looked back upon as the album where it all started.