In the first few months of 2018, Yung Bans has released two EPs, been spotted with Future and André 3000, and had his music played in the season premiere of Donald Glover's Atlanta. He's one of the most talked about new rappers, and he's still only 18 years old. And for the entire year so far, he's been on house arrest for a case involving burglary and murder.
His situation may be a blessing in disguise. With a recording studio in his house, Bans is still able to make music, and he's been granted permission to travel for work-related reasons, giving him a lot of time to focus and just enough freedom to be productive. His isolation offers him a lot of time to think, and Bans has come to accept his role as an inspiration to young kids who lack guidance.
With uncertainty in the air, we took Yung Bans to visit a psychic and try to get some insight into what the future holds. Watch above, and read our interview with Yung Bans below.
You mentioned that you went to court recently. Is there any update on your legal situation?
Yeah, they pushed everything back.
What is that like, not knowing what’s going to happen in your future? Is that stressful for you, or have you accepted it?
That shit has me wanting to be free, but sometimes you gotta go through it, or you gotta go with it. I ain’t got no choice.
It’s been crazy to see how you’ve blown up while on house arrest. Has that been hard, or has the situation helped keep you focused in any way?
Both. There’s a lot of stuff that I can’t do, but there’s a lot of stuff that comes my way that I have no choice but to make time for. I’m focused.
Are you recording at home right now, or how do you get so much music made?
I have a studio in my room.
Do you like that, or would you rather be going out to a studio?
I’d rather go to a real studio sometimes, but you know, the house is cool too.
Does that affect the way the music sounds?
For the most part, my music sounds the way I want it to sound.
You’re at a point now where you’re getting a lot of attention, but you’re not totally mainstream yet. Is it a goal of yours to get more famous, or are you happy with where you’re at now?
It’s not about being more famous. For me, it’s about more people hearing and appreciating the music. I really love making music, and I want people to hear it. I want the world to hear it. I want people to hear it and love it the way I do.
You’ve been getting a lot of support lately. The picture of you and Future went crazy, how did that connection happen?
Young Scooter. Shout out my big brother Young Scooter. Shout out Future for fucking with the vision. Real king shit.
Have you guys been working together?
Yeah, all that shit on the way. No lie.
And André too, what’s the story with that one?
Shit, they gonna see soon.
Another big moment was the placement of “Lonely” in the TV show Atlanta. Are you a fan of that show?
Yeah. My P.O. watches that show. She says that’s her favorite show. So you know, it’s a whole different fan base.
Looking at who you’ve worked with—Rejjie Snow, Lil Xan, Lil Skies, Yachty, Wifisfuneral—it’s really a diverse group of people. How do you choose who to work with?
Who I connect with, and who I like personally. I ain’t really in it for the clout. N****s be in it for the clout, just to name drop. If I work with someone it’s more genuine, and the song came out good because the chemistry.
Does it bother you when you hear an artist copying your style?
Not so much. I’m here to inspire and influence the youth and the culture and all the young kids who want to make it. I’m just here as an example that they can do it. Everybody can do it, just like me. Follow your dreams, chase your dreams. It’ll happen if you really put your mind to it.
Is there anything in particular you look for when you hear a beat?
Not anything in particular. I just want a beat that will take me to another planet. Like whoa, this is not like what I’ve heard before. I want to hear something in a beat that I’ve never heard before. I want to take everyone to another mindstate when the music plays.
And it sounds like you want to make a positive impact too. A lot of young artists just want to sound good and don’t care as much about a message. Is making a positive impact important to you?
Yeah, that’s the main goal. There’s a lot of kids who don’t have no guidance, and they could end up in real bad situations. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m a role model, but I’m here as an example that if you focus on something positive, that it can happen.
I’m not going to sit here and say I’m a role model, but I’m here as an example that if you focus on something positive, that it can happen.
Did you have any role models when you were a kid?
Nah, I ain’t really have no role models. I had people whose music I liked, but I really just did me.
So you’re still releasing music independently, is that important to you? Do you think you’ll ever sign to a major label?
I’d sign to a major label maybe, if all the terms are what I want. I’m not signing into no slavery where they control everything I got going on. They’re gonna come in and hop on my wave. They’re gonna hop in my boat. They’re hopping on the independent boat, and they’re just gonna sponsor it, you feel me? I’m not gonna hop on that slavery train.
You’re super active on social media, is that important to you to connect with your fans that way?
Yeah, I love my fans… and I’m on house arrest, so I see everything.
Are you surprised with where you’re at today? Five years ago, would you have guessed that you’d be where you’re at now?
I always knew it. As a kid, I never had no worries. I always knew I was gonna be who I wanted to be. I never had a worry about getting a job or going to college and staying in school.
You’re a father now, has that changed anything for you?
Yeah, I just got more responsibility. I just gotta go harder now. I got somebody who’s really looking up to me for support and for guidance. I have to make different decisions now and be more of a role model and to make smart, responsible decisions.
Are you going to be like Khaled and try to make your son famous, or are you keeping his life private?
Right now he’s private. He ain’t developed yet, he doesn’t even know what’s going on. But it depends what he wants to do.
What’s coming up for you? What’s next?
Volume 5. That’s going to be the last volume out of all of them. After that, I’m dropping a mixtape. The first mixtape.
Anything else you want people to know?
I love all my fans. Keep supporting, keep spreading the word. Shout out Pigeons & Planes. Shout out everyone showing me love.
