"Music is my passion. My passion is music." — theKONGTRACKS

At an early age, I was fortunate that my Dad played the guitar and I grew-up listening to a diverse selection of musical artists — Michael Jackson, Olivia Newton-John, Leif Garrett, Santana & The Ventures were some of the very first 8-tracks & vinyls I've heard and music instantly became my very first love.

Upon entering my teenage years, my cousins from Long Island introduced me to Heavy Metal (i.e. Iron Maiden & Metallica) and was literally blown-away by the aggression, concept and technicality of the genre.

During my later teenage years, my musical taste began evolving into more of a "street-style" offering such as UTFO, Run DMC, Ice-T & Public Enemy...being from Brooklyn, I was blessed to be a part of The Golden Age Of Rap: Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap, Rakim, KRS-One & 3rd Bass were my childhood rap idols.

As part of my teenage angst years, I began channeling my anger & frustrations through the power of music...enrolling in Maggio Music School in Brooklyn. It was by God's grace that I was lucky enough to have "Joe" — a "far-beyond" talented guitar virtuoso as my weekly guitar teacher. After a few years of intense guitar lessons, I began studying music theory and took classical courses as well.

During my twilight high school years, I was awe-struck after attending a Biohazard/Life Of Agony show and became fascinated by the New York Hardcore Scene — I was obsessed with collecting demos from Hardcore bands and became possessed on attending the best Hardcore shows in the Tri-State Area. My fascination with the N.Y.H.C. Scene became a reality; as my childhood friend (Jimmy McCormack) and I decided to form a Hardcore Punk/Metal band — we found a drummer -Kevin, from a store ad post whom brought in the singer -Rob and we called ourselves — Overpower.

We began playing local shows at low-key NYC venues — including Fort Hamilton High School & Village Underground — our energetic live shows and youthful following caught the attention of several concert promoters who helped us land a major gig — opening for Brooklyn rap groups: Da' Bushbabies and The Beatnuts at the 'world-famous' L'Amours the "Rock Capitol of Brooklyn" — that particular show created the buzz necessary to land perhaps our most prominent show ever — playing alongside some of our favorite underground Hardcore bands: All Out War, V.O.D./Vision Of Disorder, Out Of Line (Brooklyn), Out Of Line (Queens), Without A Cause , etc. at the Bond St. Cafe in NYC.

Unfortunately, I promised my parents that I would attend college and pursue my education as opposed to playing in a band. Overpower eventually disbanded completely and Jimmy the bassist went on to form his own band called Shutdown — who were signed to Victory Records and releasing several albums. Shutdown was a straight-edge Hardcore band w/ a positive message and they developed a cult-like following through the years.

Since then, my passion for music never waned...in fact, my musical tastes became more broad, complex and diverse...began submerging myself w/ various underground genres and scenes.

I also began creating 'critically-acclaimed' personal mixtapes/CDs for my childhood friends and continue to do so during my spare time.

[Note: Proud owner of over 1,300+ original CD's — comprised of mostly Hip-Hop/Rap, Heavy Metal & House/Trance — All-Time Fav Artists: Eminem, 50 Cent/G-Unit, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, The Beatles, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, Nas, Smif N' Wessun, The Lox/D-Block, Big Pun, Phil Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, All Out War, Confusion, Darkside, Out Of Line (Brooklyn), Out Of Line (Queens), Candiria, August Burns Red, Parkway Drive & the Wu-Tang Clan]

Yalee: Echoes of Life and Music
In the annals of hip-hop, a voice emerges from the chorus every so often, distinct and resonant. Yalee is one such voice, a beacon of raw emotion and lyrical authenticity. His story is not just one of music but of life, resilience, and the objective truth of the streets.
Origins of a Name, Roots of a Legacy: Yalee, a name bestowed by his sister, echoes through the corridors of Dayton, Ohio - his cradle, and now weaves its rhythm in the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles. It's a name that speaks volumes of his journey, a beacon in his odyssey from the Midwest to the West Coast.
A Childhood Etched in Memory: Growing up in a single-parent household, Yalee's narrative was shaped by the absence of a father who was behind bars and the enduring strength of a mother's love. His upbringing, flanked by the presence of two brothers and a sister, was marked by an indelible moment - the tragic loss of his pastor in a Bible class. Such poignant memories etch deep into the psyche, fueling the emotional depth of his music.
Musical Genesis - The Early Beats: At age eight, Yalee's musical voyage commenced, not confined to genres but exploring the realms of rap and soulful singing. His style is an enigma, refusing to be pigeonholed, a testament to his belief in the power of individuality in art.
Influences - The Triad of Inspiration: Yalee's music is a tapestry woven with threads of influence from Adele's soul-stirring narratives, J. Cole's penetrating lyrics, and Rod Wave's heartfelt realness. Yet, in this confluence of inspirations, Yalee's voice remains distinct, unapologetically his own.
The Pulse of Life in Melody: Yalee draws from the well of life's hardships, channeling his experiences into his music. His EP "My Outside is Different" is a collection of stories, each track a chapter of his journey - "God Stay With Me," "Candles," "My Outside is Different," and "Mental Health," each a testament to his resilience.
A Distinctive Voice in a Homogeneous World: What sets Yalee apart is his ability to weave stories i.e. his raw lyrical prowess; as his musical arrangements resonate with the soul, making his work not just audible but palpable.
Beyond the Microphone: Yalee's talents transcend performing. He's a craftsman of words, ghostwriting for others while pouring his essence into every line he writes.
The Message - A Beacon of Solidarity: Yalee's mantra, "The streets are not fair," is a rallying cry for those who've tread similar paths. His music mirrors the shared experiences of many, an assurance that no one walks alone.
Epilogue: Yalee's journey is more than a musical expedition. It's a narrative of survival, of finding one's voice amidst the din, and of touching lives through the power of authenticity. His story and his music are a testament to the enduring spirit of the human condition.

user398334038 is following