Yung Pooda Talks 2020 Success, "Chicken N Grits" + Working with Cool & Dre
Nothing holds more weight than a promise. In 2019, Yung Pooda found himself at a crossroads between the streets and the studio. After performing alongside legends such as Boosie Badazz, Slim Thug, and Z-Ro, recording with platinum icon Paul Wall, and igniting a buzz of his own throughout the country, the Houston rapper made an important pledge to himself. His pledge changed the course of everything to follow in its wake. “In the middle of recording and getting in all kinds trouble, I promised God I would get out of the streets and just do music,” he admits. “I stuck to my word.”
Long before this vow, Hip Hop called to him as a kid in Orange, TX. Pooda’s mother bumped Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” throughout the one-bedroom and one-bathroom house built by his grandfather that he and his mom shared with his grandma. As he puts it, “I used to go nuts to that song!” He used to listen to classics from OutKast, JAY-Z, Lil Wayne, Master P, Ludacris, DJ Screw, and more.
When Pooda visited his dad, pops actually built a home studio at his spot to cook up beats and DJ. Growing up, he practiced his skills on the mic and sharpened the wordplay, developing a signature style. He sent shockwaves through the city after a successful showcase, earning endorsements from the likes of DJ Hi-C of Houston’s 97.9 The BOX who said, “He’s always been a lyricist.” Inciting local excitement, he performed multiple tour dates with Boosie Badazz and teamed up with Paul Wall for the single “Beat Up The Block.”
Relocating to Prairie View, he moved into a two-story house with his cousin and two friends where they “were trapping and getting money, but shit got too hectic.” At this point, he reset everything. “There were fights, threats, and all types of shit,” he recalls. “I ended up saying that prayer.”
Ever since then, things have taken off for Yung Pooda. His music made its way to It’s A 10 Records, a boutique label distributed Empire, who immediately signed him in 2019. 2020 found him properly introducing his signature sound with the release of several dope singles, most recently his new viral hit, "Chicken N Grits", featuring Dreamdoll.
So, it was only right to catch up with the budding rapper for one of our last interviews of the year. Tap in with Yung Pooda below to learn more about his story and get his opinion on who else has next in Houston, some of his favorite books, linking with Cool & Dre, and so much more. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
Thanks for your time! For those unfamiliar, tell us more about your come up.
I’ve always had a thing for music thanks to my family, as they’d fill the house with their favorite songs. At the cookouts and family gatherings, my grandfather would play some Zydeco which was some Louisiana Creole Cajun music. My Dad was a DJ too. So, I could be going to the studio with him or be at an event or just be at home, music would always be around. You could say I was born into music, and it made sense for me to pursue a music career. When I was around 9, I wrote my first raps, and from there I developed my skills and now we’re here.
That’s dope. What type of music did you listen to growing up?
I dabbled with different sounds really. I never stuck to one genre or a specific set of sound, I trained my ear to embrace everything. I would listen to Trap, R&B, Classical music, just everything all across the board really.
“Repeat Dat” pretty much went viral this year, hitting 2 million streams. What state of mind were you in when you made the track?
I was really focused when I made that track. I had a particular set of goals that I wanted to crush, and moves I wanted to make next so my focus was on another level.
When did you know it was about to take off?
When it got on Tik Tok, I knew it was gonna blow up. In no time I started seeing Tik Tok videos with my music in them, and that was crazy. There was a #RepeatDat challenge that went on to have over 14 million combined views. I was like, “This is it right here!”.
“Chicken N Grits” is also a big hit. How did you know Dreamdoll would be a good feature?
Well that happened thanks to a suggestion from big bro Cool (from production duo Cool & Dre). The song originally had a long ass verse, then hook, another long ass verse, then hook. Cool came into the studio when I was putting it together, suggested we break down the track, and included Dreamdoll, as he believed she would be a dope feature. We reached out, and she loved the concept. When she sent over here verse though? It was crazy when we first heard it, and her energy was something we really needed. The official video for “Chicken N Grits” is on the way too. We had to make it happen.
Both tracks are produced by Cool & Dre. How did you all originally link?
We actually met through my label It’s A 10 Records. We had conversations over the phone, and they sent me a beat pack which I ended up recording over all of them. They’re producing new album by the way, and this is an example of how well we work together. I originally wanted to do an EP, but we made so much great music together, we just turned it into an album as that made more sense. Look out for my album dropping in late January 2021.
How has growing up in Texas shaped your perspective and sound?
I have a unique sound that isn’t pinpointed to one area or region. But, the “Dirty South” played a huge part in the development. Texas is a part of the “Dirty South” along with gumbo, chicken and grits, and that Down South country life, and they all played a role in my influences and sound.
Aside from yourself, who else do you think has next in Houston?
There’s too many to name really, as a lot of great artists are here including myself. The talent in Texas is really promising, and has been rapidly gaining momentum. It’s hard to pick one artist, there are a lot to name here, but Sauce Walka and his TSF label are about to have a major breakthrough come next year. Rojo and Sammy Elo are artists that are gonna blow up too. Just be on the lookout for a lot of popping artists from Texas.
What do you attribute to your success so far?
God, and I’m grateful for him blessing me so far. I’m learning so much along the way as well, and I’m applying what I’ve learned to my career. Even though I’m thankful for the success so far, I’m not satisfied and I have to keep going for more.
So, you read too. What are some of your favorite books?
A few of my favorite books include “Chi” that’s about ancient Chinese philosophy, “Think & Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, and “48 Laws Of Power” by Robert Greene. I just picked up Billy Graham’s “Wisdom For Each Day”, so I’ll be checking that out soon.
The year is almost over. What lessons from 2020 are you taking into the New Year?
Analyze and observe more, exercise patience, and never stop learning will be the lessons that I’ll bring into 2021. I look to evolve and take my time when putting things together, and inspire others to follow my lead.
What is that #1 thing you wish more people knew about you?
That I’m a really great artist if they take the time to listen to me. Beyond the popping music and hits, I have a lot to say, and if they take a deep dive into my music, they’ll learn a lot and embrace me more.
Anything else we should know before you go?
Make sure y’all stream “Chicken N Grits”, it’s available everywhere! Shout out to Hype Off Life!!
