Da Youngstas On Impact & Legacy, Kanye, Naughty By Nature, Their Missing Member And Family

Da Youngstas, former teen rap sensations, at the moment are OGs, as unbelievable as that sounds.

However, for many who know, know the native Philadelphians’ impression is a mixture of fearless youth and grown-man craftsmanship. They entered rap’s hardest interval, smack dab in the midst of rap’s Golden Era, as youngsters. They had been blessed by elite manufacturing (Marley, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Kay Gee, Beatnuts), absorbed mentorship the proper approach (Treach and Naughty By Nature), and earned a spot inside Hip-Hop’s recursive reminiscence (DJ Premier sampling “Pass the Mic” into “Mass Appeal,” the Wu tapes and extra).

Their type was unforced, a product of the occasions and surroundings. But, someway, their type quietly traveled far into the long run the place – decade later – the place Kanye West modeled his early takes care of his Philly brethren. And then there’s the lacking member – Qu’ran “Q” Goodman. Although they’re all household, Q-Ball has stayed away from a reunion. There is an open door for the anniversary run they’ve deliberate. From Pop Art Records within the basement to a pair two grandfathers which have an insane spit recreation, Da Youngstas are again.

AllHipHop talks to the legends as they proceed to construct on the basis that lets their music final.

AllHipHop: For individuals who solely know the identify, why does Da Youngstas’ legacy nonetheless matter? What did you modify?

Tarik: We got here in as children in a grown-man world—13, 14, 15. We had been doing 2 A.M. membership units with adults and holding our personal. That pressured us to be sharp, lyrical, stage-ready, fearless.

Taji: And we aimed excessive from the beginning. We stacked Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Kay Gee, DJ Premier, The Beatnuts, all on one album, as a result of we needed the finest to make the finest music. When you chase greatness like that, the songs final.

AllHipHop: You had been younger, however not a “kid act.” How did you keep away from that field?

Tarik: Real life. We had been exterior like everyone else—ball, block, curfew by streetlights. On stage we weren’t enjoying cute; we had been competing. The look got here from neighborhood shops, Tims, shorts, Carhartt—genuine and it grew to become stylish later.

AllHipHop: Put your early-’90s second in context—ABC (Another Bad Creation), Kris Kross, the “young MC” wave.

Taji: ABC impressed us, first time we noticed children doing Hip-Hop on TV.

Tarik: Kris Kross dropped the identical yr we did and it was an avalanche. We sparred on wax gave it and took it. All love. RIP Mac Daddy.

AllHipHop: You’ve instructed that wild conference story, your first brush with Wu-Tang.

Taji: The conference period was main—Gavin, Jack the Rapper. In Cali we noticed RZA when he was nonetheless Prince Rakeem. The subsequent day Meth actually jumped up, acknowledged us, and handed us early “Protect Ya Neck” tapes in these white shells. That’s how shut and hungry the tradition was again then.

AllHipHop: And you had an actual bond with Mobb Deep.

Taji: Before The Infamous we had been already followers (from songs like) “Hit It From the Back,” “Peer Pressure.” Havoc even pops up on the finish of our “Is You With Me” video. Later, when the group paused, I reconnected with Hav at Loud; he needed to signal me and instructed me to return work. I stayed with him and his brother Killer B (relaxation in peace). Paperwork from earlier offers tied my arms. There was curiosity round Biggie and Dallas Austin, too, but it surely wasn’t meant to be at that second. Still household.

Kanye West & The Style Impact Of Da Youngstas

AllHipHop: There’s that Wale anecdote about Kanye preserving a lookbook impressed by Da Youngstas. True?

Taji: We heard it and went again by way of the pictures like, “Oh yeah, we see it.” The black hoodie, the all-black matches—clear, common, road. We by no means dressed to be gimmicky, simply us. If Ye drew inspiration from that, salute. Hip-Hop’s all the time been a recreation of seeing, flipping and including your personal twist.

AllHipHop: People are all the time watching.

Naughty By Nature: Mentorship, Co-Sign & Craft

AllHipHop: My favourite collaboration remains to be Naughty By Nature. How did that go down?

Tarik: It was a particular time. We cherished these guys—Treach, Vin, Kay Gee. That’s household without end.

Taji: They helped early, put us on stage in Philly, welcomed us on their video set and when it was time to report, Treach wrote “Crews Pop.” We did collectively. We might have written it, however we had been 13. We mentioned “Go ahead and cook, we’ll lace it,” and did.

Tarik: Kay Gee performed that beat and we had been like, “We have to have this.” It was a type of immediately simple instrumentals.

Taji: That’s the factor about mentorship, typically it’s not lectures; it’s proximity, craft and belief. Watch an incredible make a banger in entrance of you and it adjustments how you concentrate on songs.

AllHipHop: Is that why your catalog aged effectively?

Taji: A giant a part of it. We got down to make dope data, interval. No shortcuts. When you pair that with A-list producers after which go sharpen it on stage with grown professionals, them joints journey.

AllHipHop: Your work even echoes in different classics. DJ Premier flipped “Pass the Mic” into Gang Starr’s “Mass Appeal.”

Tarik: Legendary. That’s considered one of my favourite songs regardless, and listening to our voices embedded in it. It’s nonetheless a smile each time. It additionally launched our second single to a complete new set of ears. That’s how Hip-Hop circulates.

The Impact, The Missing Member And The Mission

AllHipHop: Let’s speak about Qu’ran “Q” Goodman. Fans ask the place he matches in at the moment.

Tarik: First—there was no dramatic breakup. Life occurred. Family, school, enterprise. When we might lock again in, we did.

Taji: Q has all the time been household and a part of the legacy. He shifted heavier into manufacturing. He’s carried out joints for Method Man, Nas, Slick Rick, Missy, Amerie and he produced our observe with Mobb Deep. If he decides to leap again in on the mic, that’s his name.

Tarik: For our Thirty fifth anniversary, we’d like to line up that authentic producer squad once more and we’d love Q to contact a number of. We all the time inform followers: hit him—let him know you need it. Meanwhile, we’re preserving the torch lit.

AllHipHop: People typically name you “little Onyx”…

Taji: We dropped earlier than Onyx. We love them, however Hip-Hop is affect plus your personal spin. If you’re not including, you’re biting and the viewers feels the distinction.

AllHipHop: Beyond samples and co-signs, what does your impression appear like from your personal chairs?

Tarik: Proof that youth doesn’t disqualify you. We had been youngsters competing with adults and we didn’t ask for coaching wheels. That power nonetheless speaks to younger artists now.

Taji: And proof that craft travels. Stack nice producers, maintain your pen trustworthy, carry out prefer it’s your final set. That’s a time machine. Records constructed that approach age.

Family: The Foundation & The Future

AllHipHop: Hip-Hop is actually in your blood.

Taji: We’re first cousins; Tarik and Q are brothers. Tarik’s cousin is Steady B. Our elder Lawrence Goodman (Pop Art Records) had a studio within the basement our entire lives. We noticed Will Smith earlier than “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” Being round data, tools, classes made beginning younger really feel regular.

AllHipHop: You’re additionally grandfathers now, which is a bit stunning. How does that change the image?

Tarik: It’s a blessing—you understand you’ve lived a little bit. When I first held my granddaughter I believed, “I waited all these years to meet you.” She seems to be similar to my daughter—one technology down. That love turns into your why.

Taji: Real speak: having children saved our lives. Responsibility saved us from lanes we didn’t want. We all the time inform youthful artists: construct a basis, household, stability…first if you happen to can. Then the profession. If you get well-known earlier than who you’re, you received’t know who actually loves you.

AllHipHop: What does household help appear like round your legacy?

Tarik: They put the battery in our backs and we do the identical for them: initiatives, concepts, actual life. End of the day, household are those who look after you and, when it’s time, lay you to relaxation. So do proper by your loved ones, by your children.

Taji: And the legacy continues. My son raps. We’re pushing the subsequent technology whereas we maintain telling our story.

The Culture Today & What’s Next

AllHipHop: What do you make of Hip-Hop proper now? it appears like one other Golden Era Part, however folks received’t admit it.

Tarik: So many lanes. If you don’t like one sound, decide one other. Options are a blessing.

Taji: Same recommendation to younger artists we give ourselves: know your strengths, have choices and maintain pushing. It usually takes one hear to really feel who’s actual as a result of the guts acknowledges it.

AllHipHop: You’ve obtained a status for paying homage. Fom “Hip-Hop Ride” (saluting girls and old-fashioned) to the best way you converse in your friends. Why maintain that thread?

Taji: Because there’s no us with out them. We actually spent video price range to shout folks out as a result of gratitude is a part of the work.

Tarik: That’s how the tradition breathes…acknowledge, then add on.

AllHipHop: Final phrase on the instant horizon?

Taji: New music, performances and a legacy documentary.

Tarik: For 2026, we’re speaking a world run and an impactful Thirty fifth-anniversary second, not “drop to drop,” however one thing that means one thing.

Taji: And in order for you Q again on a number of, let him hear you

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