P Yungin uses art as a coping mechanism. His music deals in surviving uncertainty – when nothing is normal and the unexpected becomes routine. The Louisiana native is a product of Plaquemine, his hometown in the Bayou State, the very same place that christened him “P Yungin.” 

Although he’s not old enough to legally drink alcohol, the fresh-faced rapper has already lived many lives. At 16-years-old, Yungin’s perseverance and storytelling set him apart. He blends the hard-nosed grit of Louisiana rap with short, succinct rhymes about his feelings: “I’d be wrong if I don’t talk about it,” he tells Dirty Glove Bastard. 

Over the last year, P Yungin has started to develop a sense of self. Returning to high school, his cousin’s death, playing Grand Theft Auto – these are afterthoughts for the Never Broke Again signee as we peeled back the onion on his story. Still, the best part about becoming, according to P Yungin, is what you discover along the way: “It’s really like reading a book but you learning yourself.”

With his rise in popularity and star-making performance on the YoungBoy Never Broke Again-assisted single “Pull Up Actin,” which was first previewed two years ago, P Yungin has made a formidable entry into XXL’s annual Freshman Class conversation, vying for the 10th spot. 

When discussing the nomination, he’s beaming with controlled excitement over Zoom. But more importantly, he’s enjoying the moment, taking his strange success in stride.

Do you remember the first time you were introduced to music? 

When I was five, I used to like listening to rap music, gangsta music. When I was younger, I used to be dancing, going crazy to music. When it come on, ya hear me, I would go dumb ‘cause I’m a baby. 

How did that lead to you becoming a recording artist? 

From the situations I was going through as I was getting older and shit. I really started rapping because I done seen a lot so I might as well talk about it. I already had it – when I was younger, I used to freestyle and post it on Instagram. 

You’re 16-years-old, and yet you keep referring to your younger self. Have you always had a mature view on life? 

Yeah. 

Do you have any regrets about some of the decisions you’ve made to reach this milestone in your career? 

I ain’t gon’ lie, I ain’t say I regret it. Dropping out, Ion know – but I’m back in school, though. 

After signing with Never Broke Again, how do you feel watching that happen in real-time? Being offered a record deal is the end goal for a lot of up-and-coming artists and you’ve already accomplished this as a teenager.

It’s a blessing, first. It’s a great feeling but it’s kind of weird, too. But I’m in love with it.

What’s the weird part? 

It’s just like, you don’t be feeling like the world is weird sometimes? 

All the time. 

It’s okay to feel like that, too. 

And it’s okay to honor your emotions, something that you’re great at – being vulnerable. 

And I learned that by myself, too. But I’m still learning a lot about myself. 

Are you nervous about coming into your own as a young adult, and artist? 

Nah [laughs] – it’s enjoying. It’s really like reading a book but you learning yourself.

Each time you learn something new about yourself, you’re turning the page on another chapter in your life. With that in mind, what would be the title of this chapter in your story? 

This chapter right here, this where you take them big boy steps – no more lil’ boy games.  

If you had to explain P Yungin to someone who’s never heard your music, where would you start?

The “P” stands for Plaquemine (Louisiana) – I shortened it down. 

Is there a meaning behind what your name represents? 

I been wanting somebody to ask me what (my name) means. Aight so look, “Plaq” is my hood. Plaquemine, that’s where I’m from, right. Plaquemine street is my street, that’s one street, but it’s uptown. I took Plaquemine and put it in Plaq Yungin ‘cause that was my place, that’s where I ran: I would ride my bike everyday out there – thuggin,’ stealing, doing bad stuff. And I knew I was gon’ take off with (music). At first, my rap name was Plaq Yungin but I changed it to P Yungin. 

Talk to me about growing up in Plaquemine.

I ain’t really go to school out there. I was rapping in my room (when I was 13) and when I used to pray, and when my cousin died on my birthday – that was… you know. 

I’m sorry to hear about your cousins’ passing, condolences on your loss. Would you say that was a defining moment for you as an artist?

Yeah, I had to go hard then. 

You’ve been going so hard (for so long) that you caught the attention of another Louisiana rapper, NBA Youngboy – someone who’s arguably considered the King of YouTube. What was it like working with him on “Pull Up Actin”? 

“Pull Up Actin,” that’s one of my favorite videos. That song like two, three years old so I had to do my thing. Ion even be writing music, but I wrote the first four bars and punched in the rest. It’s different ‘cause he did a snippet years ago and dropped years later with P Yungin on it [laughs].

Has your relationship with YB played a role in the style of music that you create? 

Nah, but he motivate me a lot. He teach me a lot of shit. 

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? 

Don’t trust a soul. 

Do you trust yourself? 

Yeah, ‘cause I gotta be the one. You gotta get it on your own outchea. Not on some Ion trust nobody, but don’t put your trust in a person thinking he gon’ do for you.

Your life has been filled with its fair share of trials and tribulations. Is it easy for you to talk about your problems, or does it hurt to go back?

Nah, it don’t hurt me to talk about it. Ain’t you supposed to talk about those moments, right? That’s what feelings are about, that’s all my music about – my feelings. I’d be wrong if I don’t talk about it.

Is music a form of therapy for you? 

Nah ‘cause Ion know what therapy is. 

I’m saying, the process of creating music is therapeutic in a sense. 

What is therapy, though? I’ve only seen therapy in movies [laughs]. 

Well, this conversation can be considered a form of therapy because you’re getting your ideas out, expressing how you feel. 

In school, I had a counselor – is that what (therapy) is? 

Yeah, that’s actually a great example. Not to shift focus here, but how do you think your fans have responded to the music you’ve been releasing?

I love my fans – that’s who I make music for. 

The love you have for fans is paying off, too, especially considering that you’re competing for the 10th spot in XXL’s 2022 Freshman Class. What’s your headspace like knowing that you’re nominated for such a prestigious award this early in your career? 

I was excited when I found out – I was happy, turnt. 

Rightfully so, this is one of those “big boy moves” you mentioned earlier. 

Right, and I’m only 16. 

Are you easily bothered? You come off as very nonchalant, unmoved by the hype. 

You right about that. I really just be chilling, though – if I ain’t making music, I’m playing the game. 

What’s your favorite game? 

GTA, man. I was a 2K head but nah, I can’t do that no more. 

You should look into streaming – it’s a bag to be made in that industry. 

Matter fact, I’m finna get on the game right after I’m done with this call. 

Before you go, I’m interested in learning who’s your top 5 artists, dead or alive?

Aight, so boom – number one, gotta give it to Pac (Tupac Shakur); number two, I was listening to Boosie; number three, Lil Phat; number four, I’ma give that one to YB; and number five, who else – me.