Exclusive Interview: Young Leaf

[boss]

What is your name and what city do you rep?
 
My name is Khalif Smith aka Young Leaf and I honestly do not have a city that I rep because I move around a lot when I was growing up. 
 
Tell us about your latest release "Please You", what inspired you to create this song?
 
Please You is a love song and when I was writing this song I was thinking about the time that I was trying to please a girl that I really wanted to take on a date. So, in the song you hear me say "Last Night I was scared to talk to you cause I was scared to get denied". The meaning of that line is pretty much saying that I wanted to ask her out on a date but I was scared to do it because I knew the answer already. So, I wrote this song pretty much explaining that if she would of given me the chance to take her out then I would of Pleased Her. 
 
Where was the video shot for your new song "Please You"?

The Music Video was shot at Santa Monica Pier where my best friend Ajoutloud who directed all of the videos he does for me wanted the Please You Music Video shot at. Every video he does for me I let him decided based on the song and he picks one spot and we get to work. Also, it was the first time working with a model which her name was Esmeralda Diaz so I appreciate her for coming and being apart of the video cause she could of easily said "no".

What is unique about you and your music?

The thing that is unique about me is that I am just different and want to be true to myself. So, how this leads to the music is nothing trying to be any of the artists that out right now. I want to be my own person and create something that I will remember in 50 years. 

What shaped your music? 

The thing that shaped my music is that I want to be different. I love to sing, can be lyrically, and make a catchy song. So, I want to be diverse when it come to music because I listen to all types of music and I will need to be prepared if any artist would want to collaborate on a song in the future. 

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally? 

Honestly, I knew since I was seven years old I was going to make music professionally. I was in choir from elementary to high school. I always love being around music and watching music videos every time I would come home from school. My mom would tell me to stop singing in the shower because I just could not help myself when I hear my favorite song. 

What type of music do you listen to? 

I listen to all times of music but I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, BabyFace, and Jazz music. I did not start listening to hip hop and rap until middle school but really more once I got into high school. 

What ignites your (song) writing flow? 

When I listen to the beat I can already know this is perfect on what I want to write about. My songs come from experiences that have happen to me in my life. I do not like to make songs for funny of it because I want to have a song that have meaning behind it. 

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about? 

I love watching and playing sports. My favorite sport is basketball and I want to coach basketball hopefully by the end of the year to mentor younger kids. 

Happiness to you is… 

Happiness to me is just doing what I love to do meaning making music, playing and watching basketball, and seeing my friends do well on the things that they love to do. 

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out? 

I will tell artists that want to make music just to do and be true to themselves. Everything take time and to be their own biggest fans. Life is short to be worry about opinions of others. 

Tell us about your upcoming projects...
 
I am currently in the writing process of my debut album called "Reflections" which will be out in 2020. This album will be based on my life, learning from my mistakes, and looking forward to the future. 

Where do we find you music / music projects? 

You guys can find my music on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Music, and Music Videos on my YouTube Channel: Young Leaf Music 
 
Any last words for the readers?
 
If you want to follow my journey you can follow me on my social media. 
 
Twitter: Coach_Kha
Snapchat: minimamba2
Instagram: khalif02
YouTube Channel: Young Leaf Music