Ya-B

“Only what you fear can stop you; i fear Nothing but Allah himself”. powerful words from a powerful musician
Ya-b hails from the southside of chicago . born in december 1985 to a family of 6 ya-b (Najeeb Al-Amin)
would soon come to know that all in life is not what it seems especially when you have something to
prove to the world. A phenomenal lyricist since the age of nine, a physics genius, a definite intellectual
with a revolutionary’s spirit.
In june 1998 ya-b discovered that life was more than play when he journeyed to nigeria at the
age of 13. already in love with hiphop ya-b began to pursue a career in while in africa. suprisingly enough
he would come to find out that the game was the same no matter where you were. he pressed on to finish his
first demo with his first group TMT, a 9 track barrage of extraordinary lyricism called “The Archive” this bought ya-b
and his crew attention from radio stations, television stations and even the most prominent label in the country
Kennis music.
After graduating high School in 2003 Ya-b came back to the U.S in hopes of making a bigger break. Although
he was already used to knowing all the big wigs and connects it was hard to start from scratch but at the same time
it was a more of a fresh start. new producers, new people, a new audience ya-b was ready for it and found a home
at illregards records later on that year. there he would lace some of his best work such as a.s.a.p, Hope,and
you’re not good enough. Although a he had a crazy demo and enough credibility to put him on ya-b was never
officially signed to illregards records and continued to do his projects independently. He then began an 8 track ep with
producer Kevin”KC” Catchings the ep was hot and opened up new doors for the two of them. Eventually they had
to chill for a second due to school and other factors but no sooner did they part ways was ya-b offered a record
deal with zoawe records.
As at illregards due to many reasons ya-b was never officially signed to the label and as a result continued to
push his name in the street, still keeping close ties with both illregards and zoawe, ya-b became aquainted with
some of the most prominent figures in the chicago music scene, doing projects with marvo, whitechalk, c-fix,
Stric-9, young Scandolis,nesia, hot hollows,benjamin green, lil wish, gemini, and lupe fiasco among others.
by this time had established a buzz that was ringing throughout
chicago and had found a home in his new family silvercity. Although a more concious mc out of the bunch ya-b’s skills
were never downplayed. anybody who has entered a cypher or battle with ya-b came to the realization that he was a
force to be rekoned with.
independently ya-b had dropped 3 mixtapes and had completed an album. ya -b has ryhmed with talib kweli
and gotten his stamp and thats just the tip of the iceberg. Well connected with dj’s and radio personalities such as
dj phanm , dj trell, dj D-money, Dj B-man, chi blizz, Lisa E,DJ Armageddon, and the list goes on.
Bottom line if you read this all the way through throw on a ya-b joint on the audio section of the site ya reading
this at and listen for yourself; This Man iz No Joke.