Germany bred, military brat, Ahmed Andrew Yates, better known by his artist moniker, Dru Yates is well traveled and well learned. Currently residing in Austin, Texas, he recently unveiled his latest project, The Urban Resume. We caught up with the rising star to talk music, pursuing dreams and much more. Check out the full interview below.
Parlé Mag: Who are you influenced by?
Dru Yates: Musically, I have been influenced by a lot of the great: Michael Jackson, Al Green, 2 Pac, Big L, Jay-Z, Biggie, OutKast & Jadakiss to name a few. I am drawn to amazing Hip Hop & R&B that is original, creative and can stand the test of time. I believe the sound of those that have inspired & influenced me resonates through my music through my own individual style and perception.
Parlé Mag: How would you describe your sound/style?
Dru Yates: As an Artist, I think my sound/style is very different than what is dominating the airwaves today. I have a love and appreciation for the Hip Hop/R&B of the 80’s, 90’s & 2000’s because it is what I grew up listening to. I think the vibe of those eras can all be heard in my new album, The Urban Resume.
Parlé Mag: Why do you make music and how did you get started?
Dru Yates: I make music because it’s what’s in my heart. I remember being young, about 6 years old, and my Mom started noticing that I liked to entertain/perform music. So she started putting me in local “Star Search” style musical competitions and things like that. She always had me performing for family and her friends at social functions and gatherings and even at that age I felt like music was what I was meant to do. I write all of my own music, so I was always writing and I still am. A lot of what I went through and a lot of what I am currently dealing with in my life inspires my songs. I am always in the studio because if I’m not recording music I just don’t feel right.
Parlé Mag: One thing you want your listeners to know about you?
Dru Yates: I want my listeners to know that I do this for real. This isn’t a hobby for me, this is MY DREAM. I have lost friends and relationships because of my music. Some people don’t understand the amount of work/time it takes to create a quality musical project. My music comes right behind God and my family in matter of importance. If those that are in my life can’t respect WHY I make the sacrifices I do to pursue this dream of mine then they can’t be in my life. I want my listeners to know that I do this for myself, but I also do it for THEM. Their support pushes me, even when sometimes I feel like this shit might be too hard, knowing that I got some people that REALLY believe in me motivates me to keep doing what I know I was destined to do.
Parlé Mag: Talk to me about your latest release The Urban Resume.
Dru Yates: I released my new album, “The Urban Resume” on June 15, 2018 and so far, the feedback has been amazing and more than I could have asked for so I really appreciate that.
Parlé Mag: What would say is your best song?
Dru Yates: I don’t believe that I’ve written my BEST song yet! As an artist, I am always pushing myself to grow and become better. I am my own toughest critic, so until I write a track that I am 100% satisfied with from the lyrics, beat, production everything, and I can tell myself, “Man you couldn’t have done that no better” than I’m just going to keep pushing myself to get that BEST SONG. I just don’t have it YET.
Parlé Mag: What is your favorite thing about being an up & coming artist?
Dru Yates: My favorite thing is seeing my personal growth and the progression that I’m making in my music. I get to be as creative as I want to be and play with different sounds and styles while I’m perfecting my craft. Of course, there is pressure to make a great album because the people have got to like it, but I also like to be true to who I am and make music that represents me and not just make some shit that sounds like everybody else because that’s not me. That’s not my style.
Parlé Mag: What are your goals for your career?
I’m just trying to stay the course and pave my own lane. I don’t want to lose who I am. I want to always remain humble and be myself. In the process, I want to make some great projects that will appeal to the masses.
Parlé Mag: What is your message for your listeners?
Dru Yates: Just that I appreciate their support and their feedback. It makes me better as an artist and it helps me to grow. So I am very grateful to my listeners and those that support me.
Parlé Mag: If you could collab with 1 person, who would it be?
Dru Yates: Of course, I’m going to say it would be one of the artist that have inspired me along the way that I mentioned earlier. But, honestly if I had to really just pick one… I’d have to say Jadakiss. He is and will always be one of the best in my book.
Parlé Mag: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Dru Yates: Still writing, still working in the music industry in some capacity. I want to mentor other artists, write for other artist, but of course I’d still like to be performing my own music as well because like I said, this is my dream. I don’t need to be Jay Z famous, but I just want to make my mark. I want to accomplish what I set out to do and that is to make DRU YATES a name that is known & respected in the industry.
Parlé Mag: Coolest thing you’ve done so far with music/coolest accomplishment?
Dru Yates: I would have to say it would be kickin’ it in the studio with DJ Khaled, Ace Hood & T-Pain during the creative process of Kiss the Ring. These are artists that also inspire me and that I look up to, so I would love to have many more opportunities to be around creative geniuses such as themselves.
Parlé Mag: What’s next for you?
Dru Yates: I’ve got plans of doing some touring in the next few months and also some opening performances for major headliners coming soon as well. Like I said, I’m always writing, so I’m already recording music for my next album as well.
Listen to “Me Myself & I” off the Dru Yates The Urban Resume album below:
https://soundcloud.com/d_ruski/18-me-myself-i?in=d_ruski/sets/the-urban-resume
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