Today we’d like to introduce you to Y$N.
Hi Y$N, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I got my start as a DJ at the local skating rink back in my hometown when I was 16. That was my first time getting some real experience talking on a microphone and entertaining a crowd. About a year after that, I started making music in my cousin’s basement and put it up on Soundcloud just to see what happens. To my surprise, a lot of my classmates were rocking with what I was doing so I just kept at it.
I kept the gig at the skating rink up until I went to college at UT, and that’s when I got into doing radio at WUTK 90.3 The Rock. At first, I was doing it for a grade in my journalism class but quickly fell in love with it. It was basically what I had been doing at the skating rink, just without the crowd, so it didn’t take long for me to get the hang of it. After my first semester was over, I was invited back to do more at the station and it just snowballed from there.
I got put on as a co-host for The Edutainment Hip-Hop Show and was added to the station’s music department in 2017, and started using the connections that I made from making music to my advantage. Basically, I would get music from all the dope artists that I knew, and give them a platform to shine. Whether it was spinning their records or interviewing them.
I kept that hustle going throughout my entire college career, but COVID quickly sat me down and forced me to make some changes, which is how I got into podcasting. Since I couldn’t have artists in the station at the time, I decided I would bring it to them. I invested in some quality studio equipment, designed my own website and logos, and YSN Radio was born.
Shortly after I graduated college, I got my first professional radio job as an On-Air Personality and Board Operator for B97.5 in Knoxville. Along with that, my podcast has just recently passed the 1-year mark and is steadily growing every day, I’m still making music, and still working to take myself to the next level.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. I’ve had financial struggles where I literally have had to make things happen without a dime to my name. I’ve been scammed by janky promoters, dealt with haters and constant negativity, countless rejections, and so much more.
But throughout everything that I’ve gone through, I’ve figured out a way to learn from it and make the best out of it. Perseverance would best describe how I got through all the obstacles in life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I would say I’m a jack of all trades. I’m an artist, radio personality, and podcaster. I also emcee and DJ occasionally. Some people know me for being Y$N the rapper, while others may know me as Y$N the radioman. Just as long as they know Y$N as anything listed above, that means I’m doing something right.
At this point, I’m proud of how I’ve been able to put my hand in 3 different avenues of media and find success in all 3. That takes a lot of discipline and a strong work ethic, which is what I think sets me apart from others.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My drive to succeed is very vital to me. No matter what is going wrong, whatever it may be, I always find a way to make something happen. It may take some time, but I never stop until I reach my goal
. Everything that I’ve put my mind to, whether it be pursuing music, going to college, building my brand, or starting my career in radio, I have always persevered through the struggles and saw it though until I came out on top and will continue to do, so until I accomplish everything that I want to in life.
Contact Info:
- Email: therealysn@gmail.com
- Website: ysnradio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realysn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ysnradio
