When you think of Huntsville, its rich history of creating NASA rockets is perhaps the first thing that springs to mind, and it's fair to say few would associate this Alabama city (nicknamed the "Rocket City") with any kind of thriving Hip-Hop scene. It's this reality that makes fast-rising local rapper Yhapojj (real name Jamaruean Micaiah Jones) such a fascinating prospect, with the versatile artist inspired to show the world that his hometown is about much more than just white scientists plotting a route into outer space. With uniquely slurred, pained vocals that recall vintage Young Thug, and a vulnerable core to his songwriting, where concepts like heartbreak and isolation are approached without fear, Yhapojj is essentially creating a Huntsville rap scene from scratch. On the potent "Hold It Down", the artist pledged that "you've got to stand for something or you gon' fall for nothing", and he says his mission statement is to help young black males deal with their demons rather than bury them under layers of pride.
"I really don't look at a lyric like that as being weak," the 19-year-old explains, referring to another bar ["Heard you're doing fine, but I'm really not okay"] from the lovelorn "SSorry I Can't SStop". "I just want to show my n*ggas that sharing their pain takes real strength. It's dangerous in Huntsville, just the other week there was a mass shooting! It isn't sweet here, so letting your demons out is important so that bad energy don't get pent up inside. I could be a rapper who just makes turnt music all the time, but that ain't how we be feeling all the time!"
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