For the next month, Rightnowish will be featuring artists with local roots who are taking the sounds of the Bay to a national stage.

YMTK is an R&B and hip-hop artist who grew up in Oakland and currently resides in Los Angeles.

In his music catalog, you'll find his collaborations with P-Lo, IamSu!, Rexx Life Raj, and many more. YMTK has also written lyrics for emerging artists like the East Bay's Marteen and Compton's Gemaine. 

But while sheltering-in-place over this past year, YMTK says he's been exploring his creative process as an individual.

"... when you are creating by yourself, it’s like really on you," YMTK says. And as a creative person, second guessing himself is common, but this time in solitude has proven to be a "swift kick in the ass to really focus on YMTK," he says. 

But, focusing on self and going through the process of doing soul work isn't a foreign concept to YMTK. He spent his childhood in the church and says it has given his music a foundation, no matter if it's a dance track or a prayer song.

In addition to discussing the role spirituality plays in his life and art, we talk hoops, hanging with Mr. Cooper, and shooting your shot as a musical artist in the middle of a pandemic.

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