Don’t Sleep: Exclusive Q+A with Grammy Nominated Producer YNG Josh
YNG Josh is a Grammy nominated producer born and raised in Houston. Josh is best known for producing “Keys 2 The City 2” on the late Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap” album.
Josh’s musical journey begun playing drums in church at 5 years old. Since then the Houston native has worked with Sauce Walka, YFN Lucci, Jeezy, YNW Melly, Kirko Bangz, Nipsey Hussle, Teeflii, & T.I.
A move from Houston to Los Angeles changed Josh’s life forever. Working with a team doing live arrangements for French Montana and Quincy Combs.
Although Josh’s first produced track ever was with fellow H-town artist Kirko Bangz he made his most meaningful connections on the west coast.
The difference between Texas and Los Angeles is the music business. Artist in LA have their stuff together.
YNG Josh on difference between houston & la HIP-HOP SCene
While in Los Angeles Josh was able to connect with LA native and Grammy nominated artist Teeflii. Sieging the moment, Josh managed to come through after receiving an “out of the blue” call from Teeflii to finish up his “AnnieRUO’TAY 5” project.
The chemistry was so real that the two formed a relationship resulting in Josh being introduced to Dom Kennedy, PacMan & Nipsey Hussle.
While Josh was making moves with Teeflii, Nip noticed his work and wanted to work with Josh as well.
One day Nip called Teeflii to bring Josh down to the studio and they worked on 6 tracks, one of those tracks was “Keyz 2 The City 2”.
Nipsey was so impressed after the session that he offered Josh a work space on the spot where Josh began to produce and become his personal engineer.
Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap” album would go on to be nominated for a Grammy leading to a Grammy nomination for YNG Josh.
It’s a blessing to even be considered. That was my first placement so that in its self, I was blown away. It gave me the strength this is what God wants me to do.
YNG Josh on GRAMMY nomination
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After spending a few years in California, Josh moved back to Houston. While back in his hometown, Josh began working as an engineer for 281 recording studio.
One night while working, Josh got a call at 2am to engineer for YNW Melly. Melly didn’t have any beats to record to, which lead to the opportunity for Josh to play him some beats, the first beat played was “Adam Sandler”.
“He laid Adam Sandler in one take/ It took about 15 minutes.”
YNG JOSH ON WORKING WITH YNW MELLY
Although Josh had no idea who YNW Melly was before getting in the studio with him, the Florida rappers ability to have fun while recording quickly made him his favorite artist to work with.
The chemistry was undeniable, the duo created “Billboards” and “I Ain’t Lying” to go along with “Adam Sandler” on Melly’s Melly vs. Melvin project.
YNG Josh’s advice to others would be to fall in love with the process, and to keep on producing when times get hard. Those traits allowed a young producer who looked up to the likes of Timbaland, Pharrell, and Hit-Boy, to create his own legacy in the game.
Josh says all of this wouldn’t be possible without Teeflii, 281 Studios, Tommy Brown, his mentor Greg Young, his manger Big Chuck, Yng living the dream , & his son.