Hailing from the famous sections of Hollygrove and eastern New Orleans, is an up and coming rapper who has his hands in everything from writing to acting. Y.Luck is quickly making waves throughout the city and abroad, bringing a fascinating perspective and charisma to a dying art form. With production from Roi Anthony and a co-sign from legendary DJ Wild Wayne, Young Luck is set to make a serious run in the industry with an invigorating flow all his own. Luck has been hitting the stage and diverse scenes making his presence felt in major way; from performing with a live band to an upcoming show co-headlined by fellow N.O. emcee Mystikal. The man S.gift, on behalf of mightymuzik.com, was able to catch up with the upstart artist and we got a surprise appearance from—respected and world renowned musician Donald “Big Chief” Harrison. It was a representation of music from the past, connecting with the present, to send us into the future!
Sgift: Where does the name Y.Luck originate from?
Y.Luck: Actually DJ Wild Wayne came up with the name, well more so, the name Lucky was given to me because when I was younger, I used to get into a lot of trouble and my father used to say “man you got more luck than sense”. I would get into something and right after, I would get out of it (trouble), but I would be in a better situation than I was before. One situation was when I attended a private school, and ended up getting kicked out and in the process, wound up falling behind a grade. Shortly thereafter, I enrolled into a public school in which I was placed in a grade past what I was initially supposed to be in, so situations like that showed why the nickname was true to heart. And then Wild Wayne, being the media mastermind he is, came up with Y.Luck, so when people say “Y.Luck”, I say ‘Why not?’
Sgift: Artists have many different paths to their destinations. Sometimes their spark in music was created by an experience, while some see it as an outlet. When was it that Luck decided that this, meaning a serious pursuit in music, was what he wanted to do?
Y.Luck: Well, I was in a group first, the Suspecks. We were doing it, but I was still involved in other avenues. Like trying to get an electrician’s license, wanting to play semi-pro football, as well as doing some acting, and this was about five years ago. And while I still want to do all of those things, about a year ago, my producer (Roi Anthony) came to me with idea of going solo, saying “just try it out”. On my way to see him, I called my sister telling her “I don’t think I’m good enough to go solo.” I pulled over on the side of the road coming off the bridge in Baton Rouge headed towards Lafayette (LA). She told me if I didn’t try it out, I would never know how good I could be. So we talked the rest of the drive and I felt better about the situation. Around the second visit with my producer, I was like okay, the music is consistent, so let me take a shot at this for real! Later on, I got the call to perform at Jazzfest (which was my first performance) and throughout all the hype leading up to it, I still wasn’t seeing it. But after I got off stage, it hit me like yea, I want to do this and not only that, I can be good at doing this.
Sgift: Being from New Orleans, you incorporate the culture into your music. And your song, “Walking Through New Orleans”, is becoming an anthem for the city if you will. The video features legendary New Orleans-bred musician Fats Domino. How did this come to fruition to get him in the vid?
Y.Luck: Aww man, first off, I have to give a shout out to my man Chevis Brimmer, who is his grandson. Growing up, him and I have been close–so big ups to him. When I made the record, I’m not gonna say I didn’t think it was gonna be big, I just didn’t think it was gonna be big that quick! Also, I knew that myself and Mr. Domino would get in touch with each other eventually; it was kind of a snowball effect with how fast we set it up. I talked to him (Domino) and about a week later, it was go.
Sgift: Not to ask you to compare yourself with anyone, but great artists and those alike have qualities that set themselves apart from the pack. What would you say is that one quality or qualities in which sets Y.Luck apart from the rest of the industry?
Y.Luck: Just being me…my real life persona, I don’t fit into the typical rapper clichés. I don’t smoke or drink, I go to the club to handle my business only, so me just being Y.Luck is gonna alone set me apart. My thought process isn’t that of a typical rapper; therefore, I’m not going to rap like the typical rapper. If you listen to my songs, they are rarely about myself. I speak on my family and issues. A lot of rappers talk about what they are getting or going to attain, I measure my success by the well-being of my family because when they straight, I can stunt then. In sports, you have players that either want the ball or not!
Sgift: You’ve been on a roll making music pushing out joints left and right. A few are “Walking Thru N.O.” and “Ain’t nobody like me”. You have mixtapes on smash. Beginners Luck is the album name. Can you shed some light on that?
Y.Luck: I’m currently still putting that all together. People told me to make as much music as I can so I could pick from it to put material on the album. But my first eight songs I’ve recorded have made the album, so in all humility I haven’t missed yet. I’m still determining if that’s a good or bad thing. Also, I’m working with Mystikal on some things and Roi Anthony as well as some undiscovered talent you haven’t heard.
Sgift: Well, a lot of local artists have hit and missed on particular parts of there careers. You’re making your own lane by taking a different approach. What it the direction for Y.Luck’s career in the game?
Y.Luck: My thing is, and don’t laugh when I say this, but I confer with my daughter about my career. My daughter is six years old and she has to be able to listen to my music, as well as my grandmother and everyone in between. I look at artists like Michael Jackson. My little girl knows him as well as my grandmother and everyone in between….my child may not know Elvis (Presley) and my grandmother may not know Jay-Z, but they all know MJ; no disrespect to anyone but long after your music career is done, your deeds will be seen. I want to tap into that “something” that made Michael so great. So the direction I’m headed in is my own, because if I get lost on the way, I got lost in my own direction. If I got lost following someone else’s direction, then I’m an idiot for that. My path is my own.
Sgift: I would say so. My brother, you have something that people can buy into, and I wish you nothing but the best in your career. This last statement is one I like to pose to artists just to show the world where your spirit lies.
Muhammad Ali is to Boxing as Y.Luck is to….
Y.Luck: ENTERTAINMENT!
Special Shouts go out to Y.Luck, DJ Wild Wayne, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Mighty Joe and my man J.Mullins, also the whole mightymuzik.com staff.! Stay up with us for more to come…Yeaaauhh!
