36 March 13th-March 19th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Young MC’s fresh Phoenix life The ‘Bust A Move’ rapper on making the Valley a hip-hop hub. BY MIKE MADRIAGA W hen people encounter Scottsdale resident Marvin Young, better known as Young MC, they’re surprised to learn about his multifaceted career as a rapper, producer, writer and entrepreneur. “I like that I can build relationships without people knowing who I am,” says Young. “I can have normal conversations, but if they ask what I do, I say I’m in the music business. Then they’re like, ‘What did you do?’” Young and his wife, Chantal, have grown accustomed to the reaction since moving to the Valley, from Los Angeles and New York, respectively. Whenever they mention the iconic song “Bust A Move,” people’s faces instantly pop into an over- sized grin of recognition. “Bust A Move” wasn’t just a favorite of anyone who came of age in the early ‘90s; it earned Young a historic Grammy win for Best Rap Performance, the very first tele- vised rap award. Younger audiences might recognize it from sports events, video games, TV shows and movies. The latest generation can likely recite his lyrics in TikTok or “Fortnite” dance challenges. “Bust A Move” popularized a call to action. Its lyrics tell the story of seemingly luckless men who find success with women by dancing and never overanalyzing their lot in life. The lighthearted pop-rap approach made rap more accessible and earned play on Top 40 and pop stations in the Valley and nationwide, in addition to flying to the top of hip-hop and R&B radio. The song was also a declaration of joy and brevity amid the popular gangster or politi- cally charged rap of the late ’80s. Young’s career extends far beyond that era. Rather than fade into nostalgia, he has continuously evolved — writing and producing for other musicians, collabo- rating with corporate brands, expanding his entrepreneurial ventures and embracing the Valley’s creative scene. Gaining new momentum Young’s latest project involves working with local dancers and a visionary videographer, blending old-school hip-hop energy with fresh talent in a music video. The aptly titled “Kinetic” mixes fast-paced lyrics with an EDM beat, proving Young can still evolve with the times. The video, produced by Jared Jasinski and shot at Flow Productions in Phoenix, uses LED screens and modern software to create digital backdrops in real time instead of using a traditional green screen. The result is a funky-fresh blend of tech and live performance. In “Kinetic,” six dancers surround Young as he delivers his tongue-twister verses. Four female performers in metallic silver suits are led by choreographer Monica Alexandra, who drives the group with robotic dance moves. They are joined by celebrated breakers Edson “Bboy House” Magaña, co-founder of Furious Styles Crew, and Weapon X, who infuse raw, high-velocity energy with intricate footwork and power moves. Since the video was uploaded to Young MC’s YouTube page on Feb. 21, the response “has been overwhelming,” Young says. Young MC remains as hungry and thoughtful since his career launched in the mid-’80s. (Dakota Peterson) “I’ve never had this kind of reaction just from sharing a link on my personal Facebook,” says Young. “Friends and artists have been reaching out, saying, ‘Yo, you’re motivating me,’ which means a lot. It’s a real, organic response, not based on chasing numbers.” For Young, the success of “Kinetic” is not just about streams or social media buzz; it’s about proving his capabilities at this stage of his career. “It’s a weird place to be when you feel like you’re making your best music as a rapper at 57 years old,” says Young. New collaborations are also helping Young reach new audiences. His single “Fun Part,” which celebrates the car cruising scene, debuted at No. 38 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart under his Disco Theory label. The video, featuring the Phoenix Stylz Car Club and other lowrider crews, has already racked up 67,000 views on YouTube. Its street-cruising lyrics remind longtime fans that his flow and style remain as strong as ever, echoing the vibe of 1989’s “Stone Cold Rhymin’” and 1991’s “Brainstorm.” Young’s hip-hop journey Young MC’s hip-hop journey began in Queens, New York. He started rapping in 1978 at age 11 and soon moved on to DJing with his father’s records. During our one-on-one in Tempe, I tried to tamp down my fanboy enthusiasm as he recalled his early days, inspired by local crews and pioneers like Jimmy Spicer (“Adventure of Super Rhyme”) and Funky Four Plus One. “Jam Master J got his haircut at the barber shop on my block,” says Young. We both paused in mutual respect of Run-D.M.C.’s famed DJ, declaring “R.I.P.” in unison. Young adds, “Davy DMX did my first demo — he lived four blocks away from me.” By 1983, Young was already making waves as the MC and DJ of the Break Loose Crew in his neighborhood. A few years later, he moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in economics. It was on campus that he landed a record deal with Delicious Vinyl, a turning point that saw him co-write hits like “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina” for Tone Loc and eventually launch his own breakthrough single. I tell Young that it takes a special kind of talent to craft three tracks essential to the late ‘80s hip-hop scene. He explained that every word was carefully chosen to main- tain the perfect cadence. “Every single syllable is thought out, every single synonym...” says Young, emphasizing how even a small change in word choice could affect the flow. This process started in 1988, during his senior year. When “Wild Thing” dropped in October 1988, it soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, nudging Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up.” Soon after, “Funky Cold Medina” and “Bust A Move” propelled him into rap superstardom. Life as a rap legend After releasing his sophomore album, “Brainstorm,” in 1991, Young MC recorded six more studio albums, toured extensively and appeared on syndicated TV shows — all before settling in Scottsdale in 2006. Seeking a change of pace, he recorded his latest album (“Relentless”) in the Valley. Around that time, Young also shifted his focus toward licensing deals. His music found new life in the video game industry and beyond. Tracks like “Don’t Get It Twisted” and “Hit ‘Em Hard” were featured in the “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09” video game, while “Bust A Move” appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. I note that while a Grammy win was impressive, having his music featured across diverse media proved especially impressive. Young explains that much of his success was a team effort, noting that he always aimed to provide clear, acces- sible material free from explicit lyrics — the kind of songs everyone can connect with in some way. Young has some lofty plans for Valley hip-hop, which was on his mind following a recent meet-and-greet at hip-hop shop Trill. The award-winning store exemplifies not only the strength of local hip-hop but also the potential Young sees in every rapper, DJ, and breakdancer Valley-wide. “I take it as a personal mission to expand and deepen hip-hop in Arizona, creating a distinctive sound that you immediately recognize as coming from this area,” says Young. “There’s a whole culture here — my rapping and music are part of that culture. Trill reflects that by bringing all the elements together in one place. Whether a festival or an event, it’s a hub for artists who want to do more, be seen, create content and even get signed. They often say, ‘I need music production, a DJ, artwork, dancers’ — and everything is here.” Young wants his adopted hometown to come together in a way that inspires mean- ingful action, great art and a sense of community that ensures every boat gets its chance to rise. “I see the growth in the art and feel that unique sound and vibe, which I believe is essential to pull on artistically,” says Young. “It’s about reflecting our entire scene in one unified space.” A behind-the-scenes shot during the filming of the ‘Kinetic’ music video. (Dakota Peterson) ▼ Music
