YNG Josh Exclusive Q+A: Talks Beginnings, Producing For Nipsey & YNW Melly, Future Plans & More

YNG Josh is an emerging producer in the game who can already boast about the artists he’s worked with in just the past 2 years. One being the late, great Neighborhood Nip — and just recently, produced 3 records on YNW Melly’s new album “Melly Vs. Melvin.” I recently had the chance to chop it up with Josh for an exclusives Q+A, which you can read in full below.

Q: For those who don’t know YNG Josh, give a little background about yourself.
YNG Josh: “I first started out 10 years ago with my production group JustJosh doing gigs around the city of Houston. I was apart of a viral live musical arrangement of Drake’s I’m On One that caught the attention of some people, moving him to the West Coast. Shortly after moving to LA Quincy Combs reached out to me and my group and we produced a live arrangement called Friends First that featured French Montana. I then continued to work hard and teamed up with Grammy-nominated recording artist /songwriter/producer Teeflii. We put out a lot of work, working with artists such as Jeremih, Jermain Dupree, Keke Palmer, Dom Kennedy and more. Then I caught the attention of Nipsey Hussle that led me to have the opportunity to work on the Victory Lap album which got me Grammy-nominated. After I moved back to Houston for a year and worked at a Popular studio in North Houston (281 Studios). While working there I was blessed with being able to Engineer and Produce 3 of YNW Melly songs that made his highly anticipated album Melly vs Melvin.”

Q: How did you start producing? and what inspired you to take that path as a career?
YNG Josh: “I started producing by being in studios at an early age playing drums. Doubt! It is what inspired and motivated me to take this route, everyone around me said it wasn’t possible for me to make a career out of something I truly loved to do.”

Q: God rest his soul — how did it feel working with Nipsey Hussle and landing as a producer on his Grammy-nominated album “Victory Lap” for “Keyz 2 The City 2?”
YNG Josh: “It was definitely a blessing and a dream come true. I never would have thought my first placement would be Grammy Nominated.”

Q: You also have production credits on 3 songs on YNW Melly’s new album “Melly vs. Melvin.” How did that come about?
YNG Josh: “I was engineering and producing out of a popular studio in North Houston “281 Studios” and I got a call to pull up at the studio at like 2 am to work with YNW Melly. I was only supposed to engineer the session but I started playing beats, the first beat I played he loved it and we made Adam Sandler co-produced by Justin Clemmons after that he asked for more and we recorded Billboards co-produced by Turn Me Up Josh and I Ain’t Lying produced by me.”

— When you have a shot take it, you never know what can come from it the worst thing you could do is ask yourself “What If…?”

Q: Who are some producers, even artists, that keep you inspired?
YNG Josh: “Dr. Dre, Pharrell, Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, Anderson Pac, Timberland, Nipsey Hussle, and Jay Z.”

Q: Now that you somewhat have your foot in the industry after landing some incredible placements as a producer, what’s next for YNG Josh?

YNG Josh: “What’s next for me? Honestly, Mike, to keep grinding and working hard I feel as if I haven’t even touched the surface yet. I have some things in the works so make sure to stay locked in with me on all social media.”