An eccentric fresh new sound out of the West Coast has risen in an artist by the name of Kumasi Aka Young Marvin. Not only does his music speak of everyday real life situations on a level where people can relate to but his music and movement is already backed and approved by 2 of hip hops biggest heavyweights Kanye West and The Game. Kumasi is currently affiliated with Black Wall Street, The Games label, but has recently been seen rolling with Malik Yusef from Good Music there is no telling where Kumasi will shine next but one thing is for certain Kumasi Got Next.
24: Introduce yourself to the people out there in the world who might not be familiar with you yet.
In the name of GOD. I am Kumasi; a lyricist, a teacher, a role model, and most of all a lover of GOD. I am from Compton, California. I am not a follower so I never claimed a gang. I always believed I was too strong to follow what another man created when it came to gangs. I do not drink alcohol and have never tried weed. Early on I felt like GOD was guiding me to a destiny. I wanted to play pro football. My back up plan was to become a Medical Doctor so I went to college at San Diego State as biology major. My passion for football got cut short after I “knocked out” a ref in a high school football game I was playing in. http://www.youtube.com/
I attended Ayala and Centennial high school in Compton. Centennial is the same school that DJ Quik and West Coast Kam went to. That game featured Centennial high school in scarlet red and white vs. Beverly Hills high in Halloween orange. I was coming off of a game to where I set a tackling record with 21 tackles in a single game while starting as a running back along side “AR” Avante Rose, who is now the road manager and security guard for the rapper know as The Game. That game against Beverly Hills high changed my life in an instant as a result of making a wrong decision. Now I do motivational speaking at public schools and Juvenile detention centers, on the topic of violence prevention and life skills. I desire to have youth learn from my mistakes before they make a mistake that may change their lives and take away their dream, like mine was.
I was a very serious person and still am very focused. When football was no longer an option for me, poetry and freestyle rapping became my outlet. My mother sat me down one day and told me life is too short to be so serious. I had to teach myself to dance again; I began telling jokes finally and learned to rap like my older relative Omar. Even in my freestyles I was a story telling type rapper. I needed a topic and could rap about chilly beans and vacuum cleaners if that was the topic thrown out.
24: Tell me about your style of music? If I could I would praise GOD through my music all day, on every song. That is what music was made for; Praising GOD that is what the Psalms of David is; Songs of praise.
I make soul music that benefits the soul mostly. Music can make your soul feel joy. Many youth are being influenced by the music they listen to. I imagine and pray to create music that will remind people of GOD. Sometimes a song could prescribe patience, faith, or respect for women. I am big on respect for elders and parents. A new song I have to young women is geared towards asking them to beware of the tricks of us men. Sometimes we as men are hunters of women and will say anything to get the feast. Once we have gotten our fill then its on to the next woman. Our little sisters need to be aware of the games men play before they become victim to men who only care about the game and care less for a woman’s heart or soul. This song may help a little sister keep her virginity one day GOD willing.
24: I had a chance to hear the record with Kanye, its real positive tell me a bit about the record and how it all came about.
Kanye West, Malik Yusef and myself were in the studio at the Record Plant. At the time the only part of the beat Kanye finished were the drums. Malik and I both commented saying that’s a hit. Kanye replied “yall always say that, let me at least finish the beat.” Adam Levine is on the song as well singing the chorus. It is entitled “Promised Land.” Originally Kanye sang the hook. When Jay Z heard the track, Jay ended up wanting the track for his album. Malik Yusef wrote his verse first while all Kanye had at the time was the hook. Before the song was sent to me to get on it was used as a fund raiser track for the President Obama campaign. I love the song “Promised Land” because of the message in the lyrics.
24: How did you get affiliated with Black Wall Street? How did that situation come about?
As Black Wall Street (BWS) began to mix things up by signing artist from the Bay, Arizona, and the South, The Game saw fit to have a conscious artist. He called me to Encore Studio and named me his conscious artist. He said, “Kanye has Common and Black Wall Street had Kumasi.” Game and I knew each other from Compton. I used to run into Game at the Fox Hills Mall but he was never shopping for clothes lol. He and Dontay Kidd founder of Taydoe TV lived around the corner from me when we were young. I lived on Sloan in a hood called Elm Street Piru, which is close to Palmer Block Crip hood. In Compton the blood and Crip neighborhoods are right next to each other so there is no escaping your opposition. Palmer is the Street Dontay lived on and Game stayed near by. Eazy E used to stay some where close by but was older than us so I never saw dude. But I fo sho knew his music… “Easily I approach, the microphone because I ain’t no joke.” Taydoe and Game grew up together. Game knew me from hitting the ref in high school while Taydoe and I ended up being college roommates and rap partners at San Diego State. We clicked fast since we were some of the only college students from Compton. We were the champs of the annual NSBE Apollo one year. We may have won two years in a row but the event ended in a crazy big riot when some one booed my prayer from the crowd. As soon as I heard the boooo, I remember jumping off the stage and went after the dude who ended up being at the show with all of crip homeboys. You have to be bold to be a crip in San Diego because there are not too many in blue flaggers; Just a whole lot of Skyline Pirus and Lincoln Parks who were green. Big up to Messy Marv, who is now a Muslim and striving to be a role model along side Tone Stone from The Jungles in Los Angeles.
Black Wall Street has editors, photographers, bloods, crips, Mexicans, whites, Muslims, Christians and is worldwide. Fans know of me in places like Japan and all over Europe because the movement is so strong worldwide. Before BWS I was known in many Arab and African countries. Worldwide exposure is very important.
24: It’s been rumored that you have been rolling with Good Music for some time now what’s your relationship with them?
I have known Kanye West since before his first album released. When he lived at the W Hotel, I was able to live in the same hotel room while he was writing his album. He had just signed with Rockefeller Records. I remember him playing me “Jesus Walks” and other beats he created for artist such as Ludacris and Janet Jackson. One night we all rolled out to Nelly’s Air Force One party at Nike Town in L.A. That night I was able to introduce Kanye to Nelly so he could rap his verse live on the mic that Nelly was holding. Later that night as we walked to the car, I saw The Game and introduced him to Kanye after we finished listening to Game battle rap some artist from New York. Game was like “I need some beats, I’m next after 50 on Aftermath and I need some heat.” The Game claimed they were giving him what he called “B Beats” or left over beats. I guess when you are signed to Dr. Dre a B beat is better than most producers A plus beats.
24: I’m aware you have an album in the works that is going to be dropping soon any possible singles?
I have an album on iTunes now that features Mos Def on a song entitled “Change Gone Come.” My next album will GOD willing be in stores this summer. I have a single with Raheem DeVaughn and Hope entitled “Celebrate You.” It is a dedication to all women and the struggles only women may face. I also have a single with Steph Jones entitled “Her She Kiss.” The title track is with Chyno entitled “The One,” all of which are produced by the soulful and kind hearted Chris Warrior. Chris used to work with Baby Face so he creates that music you can play on a date to the movies and take it right to the love making room when the date is over. Married couple only please. The smash single is “Party Like A Rich Girl.” Many artist get their break in the club. That is my club song that could be the next song that gets played so much you can’t stand it anymore. GOD please hook that up for me.
24: So what do you feel you bring to the Music Game?
I am a soulful dude who loves GOD. I’m also from Compton and am far from a punk. I adore the natural beauty of women and hope to inspire them to love themselves the way they are. I like smart women who are simple. I dig the woman who is shy and does not show her body off. It seems as though many women think all they have to be is cute and they get handed the world with a free drink at the bar. What about the simple smart women. That’s my speed.
I want young men to be too strong to follow others who bring temptation. Be too strong to follow a gang. GOD bang instead of gang bang. Respect women and honor your guardians and elders. I want to show love for all mankind and all religions. Music has the power to bring people together like Bob Marley did with his music. In a sit down I had with Quincy Jones, he told me he has seen music cure disease and autism. He said “music is the only thing the reaches the left and right side of the brain.” He called music “a beautiful weapon that comes from GOD.” I hope to remind people of all of these things along with eating well and getting pure water instead of Kool Aid and fruit juice that may say main ingredient is water but really is a solution that now can not be use the way water can to hydrate your brain which is 85% water and your body which is 70% water. Some youth will never learn these things unless you put it in a song.
24: What artist’s have inspired you in your music career?
Tito Puente, Hector Lavoe and Mike Hernandez. I try to study Bob Marley. I also pay attention to Soulja Boy. He has my respect. Trey Songz has great melodies. Malik Yusef is an amazing writer. Amir Suliaman the poet is a blessed writer as well. Salsa influences me and I respect Reggae because in Reggae you can praise GOD and speak of righteousness on every song and be accepted. As a rapper you seem to have to have a party song mixed with love songs and add a little I’m the best rapper alive to be called a complete artist. I do all of those things but still make sure I do not cuss and try to find a place to add some GOD up in there. GOD is the Most Kind.
24: I’m aware you are a Muslim for the people who might 
not understand in your beliefs can you explain to them briefly what you religion is about?
There are many Muslims in the entertainment industry. Even Kanye West has shown his respect for Muslims in songs. In one song he wrote “ALLAHu AKBAR, then jump in a hot car.” Lupe Fiasco, Freeway, Beanie Seagal, Mos Def, Ghost Face, Malik Yusef, and countless others who act or have behind the scene roles in the entertainment industry are muslim. I am an artist who is Muslim. I am not a Muslim rapper. When Kanye was going to sign me he said he did not know how to market a “Muslim rapper.” Muslim means one who submits to the will of GOD. Submitting also mean to be thankful for whatever GOD has written for you. May GOD help us to be patient, faithful and thankful.
I was raised Baptist Christian. I still love Christ as all Muslims are taught to. We believe in the Gospel of Jesus and believe Jesus is the Messiah. After making sense of it all I found that religion divides us. I do not believe in religion anymore. Islam is not a religion and I liked that part. Islam is simply doing what GOD said do (submitting). Islam also includes Jews and Christians as people of Paradise. I love many Jewish people and Christian people. When I was Christian I was taught that only Christians would be in heaven. I did not like that part. There is only One GOD who answers prayers and creates those who pray. As an artist I hope to celebrate and pray with all walks of life to show that we are all from the same Good Source.
24: What’s next for Kumasi?
If GOD gives me the gift of Paradise that would be the greatest “next.” I watched Kanye West become one of the biggest artist in the Game. I went from introducing Kanye to Nelly and The Game to watching him be celebrated like Micheal Jackson in some countries. Kanye has a super big heart. The same as The Game, Mos Def, and Common. Kanye West works very hard and loves to bless people. I believe I may be the next artist to be able to bless people with an alternative to what they are used to coming from the ghetto. I want the youth to know there is hope and that they can make it out of the gutter free from dirt. If I can be a living example then I will be so thankful. The youth inspire me and keep me strong. I never tried weed because of the youth that I knew would one day say Kumasi does not smoke, so I can still be cool as fan in an apartment complex with no AC and not smoke. I want to help give guidance to youth and let them know that someone really, really cares. I care for them more than I care for myself and this is the truth. I lost my Porsche, my good credit, and the love of my life striving as an artist because I have to make it big for the youth to have an example other than some of the music that is out there.
24: Where can the fans check out more of your music and stay updated with you?
After this interview, I believe I will be everywhere for people to find me. You can go to my MySpace at Myspace.com/Kumasi. Also check out for my new single it is titled *Party Like A Rich Girl* and you can hear it under this interview. I am currently being managed by one of the most powerful and well known managers in the game Micheal “Blue” Williams and Symboliq Sounds Management. You can contact my manager at Mdar@symboliqsounds.com. I am thankful for 24 Hour Hip Hop for this exposure. It is all from GOD. My album on iTunes entitled “Change The World” is available now and is a charity album. ALL proceeds go to orphans of Zion Orphanage and homeless children. I pray to drop this other album “The One” this summer GOD willing.
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