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==Career==
==Career==
===Music===
===Music===
Young M.A raps about many of the same topics as male [[MC|emcees]], such as violence, sexuality, how global warming is a hoax, and wealth and acquisitions. The rapper stated, "this industry is male-dominated, we can't pretend that it's not. So when you do make it as a female, you feel more honored, because the guys take over so much."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/15/young-ma-music-is-where-im-going-to-speak-about-my-sexuality|title=Young MA: 'Music is where I'm going to speak about my sexuality'|last=Dionne|first=Evette|date=2017-06-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-04-11|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hot937.radio.com/blogs/hot-morning-crew/young-ma-talks-inspiration-being-woman-game|title=Young MA Talks Inspiration, Being a Woman in the Game|date=2018-09-20|website=HOT 93.7|access-date=2019-04-17}}</ref>
Young M.A raps about many of the same topics as male [[MC|emcees]], such as violence, sexuality, and wealth and acquisitions. The rapper stated, "this industry is male-dominated, we can't pretend that it's not. So when you do make it as a female, you feel more honored, because the guys take over so much."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/15/young-ma-music-is-where-im-going-to-speak-about-my-sexuality|title=Young MA: 'Music is where I'm going to speak about my sexuality'|last=Dionne|first=Evette|date=2017-06-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-04-11|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hot937.radio.com/blogs/hot-morning-crew/young-ma-talks-inspiration-being-woman-game|title=Young MA Talks Inspiration, Being a Woman in the Game|date=2018-09-20|website=HOT 93.7|access-date=2019-04-17}}</ref>


When she was a child, Young M.A exhibited a passion for music. When she began seriously focusing on music as an adult, she self-funded a recording studio with local [[record producer]]s while working at [[Shake Shack]] and [[T.J. Maxx]].<ref name=":4" />
When she was a child, Young M.A exhibited a passion for music. When she began seriously focusing on music as an adult, she self-funded a recording studio with local [[record producer]]s while working at [[Shake Shack]] and [[T.J. Maxx]].<ref name=":4" />

Revision as of 18:01, 24 October 2019

Young M.A
Birth nameKatorah Marrero
Born (1992-04-03) April 3, 1992 (age 32)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • M.A Music
  • 3D
Websiteyoungmamusic.com

Katorah Marrero (born April 3, 1992),[1] better known by her stage name Young M.A,[2][3] is an American rapper and entrepreneur. The abbreviation in her stage name, "M.A" (stylized without a period after the "A") stands for "Me Always".[4][5][6] She first gained widespread recognition with the release of the now triple-platinum hit single "Ooouuu",[7][8] breaking the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, boasting 150,000 radio spins and 300 million YouTube views on the music video.[9]

After the success of her debut single, Young M.A was nominated for BET and MTV Artist of the Year and Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year awards. She began appearing on magazine covers,[3][10] and in 2016 opened for Beyoncé at MetLife Stadium. In 2017 she sold out[citation needed] her North American tour with rapper 21 Savage. She has been featured in global ad campaigns for Google Pixel 2, Beats By Dre, and Pandora. She has appeared on a variety of television shows, and performed alongside Alicia Keys on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

In 2018, Young M.A was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30, the same year she launched the KWEENZ Foundation with her mother. Young M.A has also received a proclamation from New York City.[11]

Early life

Young M.A was born on April 3, 1992, in Brooklyn, New York.[12] Her mother is Jamaican, and her father is Puerto Rican. Her father was incarcerated when she was 1; he spent approximately 10 years behind bars and was not released until she was 11. With the absence of her father, Young M.A grew close to her brother, Kenneth Ramos, and her mother. When Marrero was 7, her mother decided to relocate to Chesterfield, Virginia, as it provided better school facilities and also her children would remain away from the violence of East New York. In Virginia, she started to play tackle football.[13] When she was 9, Young M.A started to write rhymes in her schoolbooks. Her mother encouraged her and purchased a karaoke machine, which M.A would set up as a makeshift studio in her closet.[citation needed] As a tribute to her mother's support, the rapper brought her mother to the 2016 BET Awards.[citation needed]

Career

Music

Young M.A raps about many of the same topics as male emcees, such as violence, sexuality, and wealth and acquisitions. The rapper stated, "this industry is male-dominated, we can't pretend that it's not. So when you do make it as a female, you feel more honored, because the guys take over so much."[14][15]

When she was a child, Young M.A exhibited a passion for music. When she began seriously focusing on music as an adult, she self-funded a recording studio with local record producers while working at Shake Shack and T.J. Maxx.[16]

In 2014, she gained notoriety when a Facebook post criticized her song "Brooklyn Chiraq", a freestyle to Nicki Minaj and G Herbo "ChiRaq"; the song then went viral.[17] The post's author, pundit Boyce Watkins, said the song promoted "violent, negative, genocidal energy", but the controversy expanded Young M.A's name recognition and brought new listeners to her work.[18]

In 2015, Young M.A released a new song, "Body Bag", which became a "YouTube hit", said Rolling Stone,[17] along with the release of her mixtape called Sleep Walkin', which MTV described as a "thoughtful debut project".[19]

In 2016, Young M.A released her official debut single, "Ooouuu",[16] which peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[20] In September 2016, the song had nearly 7 million plays on Spotify[21] and was widely remixed by other rappers and hip hop artists such as Remy Ma, French Montana, Nicki Minaj, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, ASAP Ferg, Bryan Mathers and Tink, all of whom released their versions of the song.[18]

Stereogum's Tom Breihan said "Ooouuu" was "a brash, intense, hard-as-fuck piece of rider music... the song feels like it marks the arrival of a major rap talent."[22] The Fader said Young M.A has "established] herself as a quintessential New York MC",[23] and MTV's Doreen St. Félix said, "This summer, the atmosphere belongs to Young M.A and her single 'OOOUUU.'"[19] The song's popularity drew attention from labels, though M.A remains an independent artist.[24]

At the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, she performed a freestyle on a cypher and performed "Ooouuu", giving what XXL Magazine described as "show-stopping freestyle... one of the best freestyles of the night". Despite the enthusiasm for her performance, Young M.A expressed disappointment, saying BET cut out a portion of her performance.[25] Remy Ma featured M.A at Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2017, where she performed alongside other female rap greats. “There’s been a lot of opportunities, and of course a lot of money,” M.A says. “But then there’s the downside: you lose a lot of people that were once around you once their true colors start to show.”

While Young M.A has remained consistent since her debut single dropped, her debut album is anticipated to reveal a culmination of the artist's experiences before and since the release of "Ooouuu". Freestyles such as “Who Run It”[26] and “I Get The Bag”[27] have gained millions of online streams and views, along with her previous single, "Walk",[28] which has amassed over 20 million listens. M.A's single titled "Praktice"[29] is supposedly a reference to the idea that her previous releases have all led up to the full album. Since releasing "Praktice", she has released a multitude of singles, her most recent being "BIG" which was released on June 28, 2019.

Other projects

In 2016, during an interview with Rolling Stone, Young M.A said Lee Daniels offered her the role of "Betty Bars" on the show Empire. The character and role was made especially made for her, but she turned it down, preferring to pursue her career as a rapper on her own terms and with her own moniker instead of being known first as a fictional character.[30][17][31] She references being offered the role in her freestyle "Check," rapping, "Shout out to Fox trying to get me on that Empire / At first I had to turn it down, wasn't up to par / 'Cause it's Young M.A, bitch! Fuck is 'Betty Bars'?"[32]

In 2018, she directed her first movie, which was a lesbian porn produced by Pornhub, titled "The Gift".

Personal life

As of 2019, she no longer self identifies as a lesbian,[33] in regards to her sexuality. She has been open about her identity and attraction for the same sex in her music throughout her career. During an interview with the Breakfast Club, she stated that she has liked girls since the first grade.[34] She told Vogue that coming out was an important point in her artistic development, stating "I held in being sexually attracted to women for so long that once I got that out of me, the music became easy."[18] Young M.A said in a YouTube video that not only was she proud of being different, but also proclaimed that it's not about who you are or what your sexual orientation is — it's about making music to bring people closer together and to feel the beat running through their skin.

In an interview with The Breakfast Club, Young M.A stated that she often felt out of place when she was hiding her sexuality.[30] Her mother would often try to get her to discuss her sexuality, but she would always deny she was a lesbian. She stated that she feared her mother wouldn't accept her if she came out. In the interview she said, "I used to be scared to tell my moms, though I knew my moms wasn't the type of mother to be like 'Oh, I don't like you' or 'I'm gonna ignore you,' but part of me still was scared."[30] Young M.A also said in a different interview, “I was scared to express it to people who are close to me, That was me not accepting it yet, even though I knew deep down in my heart that I liked women."

When she came out to her family at the age of 18, their acceptance finally let her accept herself, and this served as a turning point in her rap career.[35][36] She also said in an interview with Noisey Raps,[6] "Since I came out officially, that's when all the girls flopped, that's when it was a wrap," she laughed. She also said people "feel her more" because she's more comfortable. To continue, another time she said, “Once I became myself, the music was a wrap. Music is my expression. Music is my release. Music is my therapy. This is where I’m going to speak about my sexuality. I’ve held it in for so long, now I can express it.”[35][37][4]

Marrero revealed that growing up in New York City helped her accept herself and sexuality. The rapper stated, "In New York City, it’s popular. I used to think to myself, man, there’s a lot of gay people out here. And it makes me comfortable, it was like, I can be myself! I used to still try to hide it, until it was really overwhelming — there were just too [many] girls attracted to me!” However, even though she is open about being a lesbian, she doesn't want it to define her as an artist.[38][4][3]

On September 26, 2009, Young M.A's brother, Kenneth Ramos,[34] was stabbed to death by his former friend. Young M.A missed school for a month due to depression and mourning,[3] and later underwent therapy to deal with the tragedy.[3]

In March 2019, Young M.A was at the center of controversy when Kodak Black released a song " Pimpin Ain't Easy," in which he suggested he wanted to have a sexual relationship with the openly lesbian rapper.[39] Young M.A dismissed Kodak Black as "obviously . . . weird." She also castigated individuals and entities for trying to generate internet conflict about Kodak Black's statements when she had found them unworthy of consideration, stating specifically, "If I don't give a fuck about it, why ya'll care about it?" She dismissed these internet instigators as "weak."[40]

Philanthropy

KWEENZ Foundation

Young M.A is the founder of the KWEENZ Foundation. KWEENZ foundation "helps those residing in her East New York neighborhood overcome the grief and trauma that comes with the loss of a loved one."[41][42] “It’s for women and for men—Kings and Queens…KWEENZ,” she says. “I got my mother involved because she sadly lost her son, my brother, in 2009 and this is something for her to get into and give her a little relief and meet other mothers who have been in that situation so they’re not alone.” Regarding the vicissitudes of life, Young M.A said, “No matter how much success you have in this life, you still go through those struggles and still go through that pain.”[43][44]

Television appearances

Young M.A appears regularly at the end of Vice News Tonight (on HBO) episodes critiquing many genres of music.

She has also appeared on the Wendy Williams Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Viceland's "The Therapist", Snoop Dogg's GGN, MTV's Ridiculousness, Hip Hop Squares, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, Wild 'n Out, Safeword (on MTV), and Total Request Live (TRL).[citation needed]

Discography

Albums

Title Details Peak chart position
US
[45]
Herstory in the Making 16
[47]

EPs

Extended plays with selected details
Title Details Peak chart position
US
[45]
Herstory
  • Released: April 27, 2017 (US)[48]
  • Label: M.A Music
  • Format: Digital download
 166

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
M.A The Mixtape
  • Released: March 15, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Sleep Walkin'
  • Released: November 4, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as a lead artist, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[49] 		US R&B/HH
[50] 		US Rap
[51] 		CAN
[52]
"Body Bag" 2015 — — — — M.A The Mixtape
"OOOUUU" 2016 19 5 3 41 Herstory
"Hot Sauce" — — — —
"Walk" 2017 — — — — Non-album singles
"Praktice" 2018 — — — —
"PettyWap" — — — — Herstory in the Making
"Car Confessions" — — — —
"Wahlinn" — — — — Non-album single
"Bleed" — — — — Herstory in the Making
"Stubborn Ass" 2019 — — — —
"Big" —[A] —[B] — —
"PettyWap 2" — — — —
Year Title Album
2015 "Murder Game"
(Statik Selektah featuring Young M.A., Smif-N-Wessun & Buckshot) 		Lucky 7
2016 "Hella Bars"
(C.A.S.H Montana featuring Young Neez and Young M.A)[56] 		Non-album singles
"Thot"
(Uncle Murda featuring Young M.A and Dios Moreno)[57]
"30"
(Project Pat featuring Young M.A, Coca Vango and Big Trill)[58]
"Spend It (Remix)"
(Dae Dae featuring Young Thug and Young M.A)[59]
2017 "F.B.G.M."
(T-Pain featuring Young M.A)
"Pump Fakin"
(Pras featuring Young M.A) 		Wave Culture

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Result
2017 BET Awards Best New Artist Nominated
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ "Big" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[54]
  2. ^ "Big" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[55]

References

  1. ^ "UPI Almanac for Wednesday, April 3, 2019". United Press International. April 3, 2019. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2019. rapper Young M.A, born Katorah Marrero, in 1992 (age 27)
  2. ^ Ofiwe, Michelle; Ofiwe, Michelle (2017-09-26). "'OOOUUU' Rapper Young M.A on 'Herstory' EP, Strictly Independent Success". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (February 7, 2017). "Young M.A Still Isn't Compromising". The Fader. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Meet Young M.A, The Brooklyn Rapper Who Owned The Summer". The Fader. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  5. ^ "Young M.A Music". Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  6. ^ a b Noisey (2016-10-11), Young M.A and her Brooklyn Roots: Noisey Raps, retrieved 2019-03-15
  7. ^ Young M.A Was Once Lost But Has Now Found Her Way in Hip-Hop – XXL. Xxlmag.com (October 18, 2016). Retrieved on November 22, 2016.
  8. ^ Young M.A. Talks Success of 'OOOUUU' & Opening Up for Beyonce. Billboard (October 17, 2016). Retrieved on November 7, 2016.
  9. ^ "Young M.A "OOOUUU" (Official Video)" – via www.youtube.com.
  10. ^ Smith-Strickland, Stephanie. ""Pretty But Loco": Young M.A's Uncompromising Path to Success". High Snobiety. High Snobiety. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Young MA". Reservoir Media Management. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  12. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Young M.A Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  13. ^ westfesttv (2017-10-06), Young M.A & Uncle Snoop Talk Football, NY Hip Hop, and Collaborations | GGN NEWS [PREVIEW], retrieved 2019-05-07
  14. ^ Dionne, Evette (2017-06-15). "Young MA: 'Music is where I'm going to speak about my sexuality'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  15. ^ "Young MA Talks Inspiration, Being a Woman in the Game". HOT 93.7. 2018-09-20. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  16. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon Pareles, Jon; Chinen, Nate (August 26, 2016). "The Playlist: Thundercat Unplugs, Young M.A. Gets Remixed". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b c Reeves, Mosi (September 27, 2016). "Young M.A: "OOOUUU" Star on Why She Turned Down 'Empire' Role". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Leight, Elias (October 30, 2016). "How Young M.A Became the Hottest Rapper in Town". Vogue. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  19. ^ a b St. Félix, Doreen (August 17, 2016). "Young M.A: A Vibe Grows In Brooklyn". MTV News. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  20. ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (October 17, 2016). "Young M.A. on 'OOOUUU,' Destroying Female Stereotypes & Opening Up for Beyonce: 'I Always Knew I Would be a Star Someday'". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Iandoli, Kathy (September 11, 2016). "5 Rising Rappers Who Are Busting Up Hip-Hop's Boys' Club". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  22. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 21, 2016). "Young M.A Is A Bully And A Boss". Stereogum. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Mayard, Judick (August 25, 2016). "Meet Young M.A, The Brooklyn Rapper Who Owned The Summer". The Fader. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  24. ^ Robehmed, Natalie (March 27, 2017). "Why Rapper Young M.A Is Not Signing A Record Deal--For Now". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  25. ^ Berry, Peter A. (October 7, 2016). "Young M.A Cops Crazy New Audi – XXL". XXL Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  26. ^ Ch, Devin. "Young M.A Right On Track With "Who Run It" Freestyle". HotNewHipHop. Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  27. ^ India, Lindsey. "YOUNG M.A DROPS "I GET THE BAG FREESTYLE" VIDEO". XXLMAG. XXL Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  28. ^ Corry, Kristin. "Young M.A "Walk"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  29. ^ Helman, Peter. "Young M.A – "Praktice"". Stereogum. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  30. ^ a b c Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (19 August 2016). "Young M.A. Interview with the Breakfast Club". You Tube. Retrieved 3 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ Reeves, Mosi; Reeves, Mosi (2016-09-27). "Young M.A: "Ooouuu" Star on Why She Turned Down 'Empire' Role". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  32. ^ Young M.A "Check" Freestyle Music Video - YouTube
  33. ^ "Young M.A No Longer Identifies As A Lesbian: See Her Reason Why".
  34. ^ a b Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "5 things to know about rapper Young M.A". ajc. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  35. ^ a b Dionne, Evette (2017-06-15). "Young MA: 'Music is where I'm going to speak about my sexuality'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  36. ^ "Young MA rapper comes out as a lesbian: 'I just need to be myself'". PinkNews. UK. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  37. ^ "Lesbian rapper Young M.A explains why she's open about her sexuality". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  38. ^ "Rapper Young M.A Opens Up About Being Openly Gay". Time. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  39. ^ "Kodak Black addresses Young M.A advances, says he was only joking". REVOLT TV. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  40. ^ "Young MA Checks Kodak Black For Saying He Wants Her". You Tube. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  41. ^ Cordner, Jason (13 May 2018). "YOUNG M.A HOSTS MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH TO HONOR MOTHERS WHO'VE LOST CHILDREN TO GUN VIOLENCE". thesource.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  42. ^ Moynihan, McShane, Ellen, Larry. "Rapper Young M.A. hosts Mother's Day brunch for families who lost loved ones to street violence". Ny Daily News. NY Daily News. Retrieved 10 July 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "Young MA". You Tube. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  44. ^ "Young M.A Music". Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  45. ^ a b "Young M.A. – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  46. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (August 29, 2019). "Young M.A Announces Debut Album, Shares New "PettyWap 2" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  47. ^ @billboardcharts (October 7, 2019). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/3)" (Tweet). Retrieved October 8, 2019 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "Herstory – EP by Young M.A". iTunes Store. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  49. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  50. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  51. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  52. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  53. ^ "American single certifications – Young M.A – Ooouuu". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  54. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  55. ^ "Young M.A. – Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  56. ^ "Hella Barz (feat. Young Neez & Young M.A.) – Single by C.a.$.H. Montana on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  57. ^ "Thot (feat. Young MA & Dios Moreno) – Single by Uncle Murda on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  58. ^ "30 (feat. Young M.A, Coca Vango & Big Trill) – Single by Project Pat on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  59. ^ "Spend It (feat. Young Thug & Young M.A) [Remix] – Single by Dae Dae on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
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