Yung Goony is “Truly Committed” and it shows

Yung Goony is a young up and coming rapper hailing from Detroit and now calling Los Angeles his home. Goony is on the heels of his first release “Truly Committed” featuring close friend and collaborator J. Mouse off of his upcoming EP “Welcome Tha Goony”. Today we discuss with him about his inspiration behind his newest single, role models, his stage name and his work ethic in the rap game and where it comes from. 

Raptology: Your new single “Truly Committed” is a new vibe compared to what we’ve heard from releases like “Mood” and “Pardon My Drip”. What’s the inspiration behind this song? What’s changed since the past releases?
Yung Goony: My inspiration behind, “Truly Committed” was the loyalty to 5L and the people that I love which includes my family and friends. Communication and the people I choose to surround myself with have the biggest impact on my life, so I am truly committed to them. To me, material things don’t matter – just the loyalty I have to my family, my friends and gang. No switching up, I would never turn my back on them. I ride with them, 5L, this life and the next. I’m “Truly Committed.”

Since my past releases, I’ve become more confident in my craft. I’m not where I want to be but I’ve become more comfortable – which has led me to know my likes and dislikes. Now when it comes to new music, I know exactly what to look for and how to attack the beat so everything flows easier in comparison to when I did “Mood”. By the way, “Mood” is out on all platforms and is one of my favorite videos I’ve done. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3bYvGllHC/

Raptology: Take us through your process for writing and recording this song.
Yung Goony: It was my birthday actually, the day I wrote Truly Committed (June 25). I had just flown into Detroit from Los Angeles. Hooped with the gang and grabbed some food then headed straight to the studio that night. I never usually write a full song in the studio. I might write my hook and finish my verse at home just so I know I’m 100% sure of it. Truly Committed is the first song that I finished in the studio. The hook took about 10 minutes to curate and 30 minutes for the verse. I knew first hand this was the one.

Raptology: You made this song with the artist “J Mouse”. What’s your relationship to this artist?
Yung Goony: J. Mouse is his artist name, but I call him Mouse. Mouse was my high school point guard, from freshman year to senior year. My guy since the sandbox. I love him for sure, that’s someone I call my “little big brother” and only the “big” part because his birthday is five days before mine. We were in the studio the night I made “Truly Committed” and the moment he heard the hook he knew he had to get on the song.  Knowing how talented he is and wanting to see him win just as much as me –  I saw no reason not to have him on the song as well.

Raptology: Do you feel that a lot of aspects in Hip Hop are out of touch with reality? What aspects are important to you in music?
Yung Goony: I feel like people just like nice things – everybody does. Getting myself and my family nice things is something that is always on my mind. The biggest aspect for me is just being myself and keeping it real with the people I do business with. 

Raptology: You come from a big basketball family. Do you see any similarities or differences between work ethic and dedication between basketball and the music industry?
Yung Goony: I really don’t see much of a difference when It comes to the rap game and basketball. That’s why sometimes we hear NBA players wanting to become rappers and vice versa. The only real difference is the freedom you have as a rapper compared to the composure you must have during that interview after a game. Besides that aspect, their work ethic is pretty much the same. Some of us have that Mamba mentality in the booth or in the gym, because you have to put in that extra work if you want to be the best and perfect your craft just as anything in life that you work towards.  

Raptology: Keeping your circle small and doing for others is something you mentioned being important to you. These lessons and outlook aren’t very common amongst young rappers. Where does this outlook come from? Religion? Upbringing?
Yung Goony: Personally, keeping a small circle came from my upbringing, especially because of who my dad is. I was always skeptical of who I surrounded myself with to ensure they were only around me for myself and not the things I have. I strongly dislike the idea of being used so I always kept my circle small and filled with people who love me and wanted to see me do better. Doing for others also came with my upbringing. My dad is one of my role models and he would always strive to put a smile on someone’s face without even knowing them. One thing I want to get out of being an artist is first taking care of my loved ones and most definitely to help those who are less fortunate than I am.

Raptology: Tell us something about you that your audience doesn’t know.
Yung Goony: I am a huge anime fan and a really big gamer. I’ve been watching anime just as long as I’ve been gaming. Call of Duty is one of my favorite games as well as FIFA. I enjoy Naruto and my favorite anime movie is Spirited Away. I also stream on twitch with FOC Gaming. 

Raptology: How did you come up with your name “Yung Goony”? What does it mean?
Yung Goony: The name “Yung Goony” thrived from me being misunderstood my whole life. How people think they know me before they actually sit down and talk to me. Even reading my name “Goony”, people automatically think I’m some hood nigga with an attitude. Don’t get me wrong I stay protected – but I’m a really chill dude who gives off good vibes like my music. I try not to paint this picture of a violent guy for my listeners and for myself to remain the good influencer I try to be. My definition of a “goon” is just an exciting, happy, silly and overall electric person. In the beginning, I almost called myself “Bad News” because it’s what I was called as a kid. I was the bad kid always getting into trouble but I couldn’t name myself that. Then Goony just came to me and it stuck.

Raptology: What is most challenging about being a musician?
Yung Goony: The most challenging thing about music for me is my social anxiety. Sometimes, I find it really hard to interact with people and be active on social media. It’s just not what I’m used to but as I said before – you have to work hard every day and break habits to become who you want to be at the end of the day.

Raptology: What’s next for you? Do you have any more projects or singles dropping this year?
Yung Goony: Actually yes! I will be dropping singles every five weeks for the rest of the year leading up to my EP titled “Welcome Tha Goony”. The project will be made up of about seven or eight songs which I am really excited for you guys to hear. 

SPOTIFY “TRULY COMMITTED”