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Yungen
Birth nameClive James Brooks[1]
Born (1992-02-01) 1 February 1992 (age 32)
OriginHerne Hill, South London, England
GenresBritish hip hop, grime, R&B
Years active2013–present
LabelsSony RCA
Websitewww.yungenofficial.com

Clive James "CJ" Brooks[1] (born 1 February 1992), known professionally as Yungen, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from Herne Hill, South London.[2] He first gained recognition for his 2011 freestyle video for SB.TV and in 2015 was nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards.[3][4] His 2017 song "Bestie" featuring Yxng Bane reached top 10 in the UK Singles Chart in October and became his first platinum single in February 2018.[5][2][6]

Early life

[edit]

Clive James Brooks was born on 1 February 1992 and raised in Herne Hill Estate.[4] His mother is from Liverpool, making the family avid supporters of Liverpool F.C., and his father has Jamaican roots.[7][8][9] Brooks listened to a diverse range of music genres growing up, with Wretch 32 and Giggs being among his major inspirations,[2] though his father's brief time working as a hip-hop DJ and his three sisters' love of R&B would prove to be the dominant influences.[10][11][7][12] He was inspired by Eminem and 50 Cent as he began rapping.[9][10]

The name 'Yungen' came from Brooks' friends on the estate, who were all older than him. While he initially did not like the name, he later used it when he started recording in studios.[9][11] As a young teenager, Brooks was inspired by an older cousin to try MCing, but it took several years to overcome his shyness enough to record anything for YouTube.[11][9] He quit schooling after he was expelled at age 15.[13] In 2008, when Brooks was 16, a close friend died while riding a moped and Brooks sat with him in his final moments.[9] In the aftermath, Brooks decided to focus on being more responsible and serious.[11]

Career

[edit]

2009-2016

[edit]

After seeing Giggs, another estate-raised rapper, on TV, Brooks became serious about pursuing music as a career and released his first mixtape, Tha New Era Project, in 2009.[12] In 2010, he uploaded a cover of Adele's single "Hometown Glory" to YouTube.[9] When the video was reuploaded to the channel Yungen TV, it received interest from SB.TV founder Jamal Edwards, which led to SB.TV releasing his freestyle video "F64" in 2011.[3][10] One of his earliest songs was "Hometown", which reflects on the death of his friend and remains the song that means the most to him.[9][11] In 2012,[citation needed] he formed the group Play Dirty with Krept and Konan.[14] His solo mixtape Topic of Discussion was released in April 2013.[15][16] The same year, he started his own clothing line, Forever Yung.[17]

In 2014, he supported Naughty Boy on his worldwide tour, traveling to the UAE, Australia, and across Europe.[18][19][20] The same year, he released the two-part Project Black and Red, which featured artists Stormzy, Wretch 32, and Krept and Konan.[21] That August, Brooks released "Ain't on Nuttin" with rapper Sneakbo. The two remixes (Part 1 and Part 2) featured rappers such as Section Boyz, Bashy, Stormzy and Ghetts.[22] He also released "Don't Take It Personal", a song exploring darker themes from his childhood, including being kidnapped by another estate resident, on his SoundCloud.[4][9] That November, he played a sold-out gig at the O2 Academy Islington.[23]

After the release of Project Black and Red, Brooks was nominated for the 2015 MOBO Best Newcomer Award and signed his first record contract with Sony RCA that November.[3][24][25] BBC Radio 1Xtra named him one of the hottest new artists to watch for 2016, and in February he released his single "Comfy".[9][26] Brooks independently released the single "You Don't Know Me Like That" on 5 February,[27] followed by "Off the Record 2" (Sony) in April. His sold-out show at Village Underground[28] was shortly followed by the R&B-inspired "Take My Number" featuring Angel on 10 May; "Cuffing Season" under House of Forever on 24 November; and "Do It Right", a collaboration with Sneakbo featuring Haile of WSTRN, on 6 December.[11][27]

That year, he also gained publicity for a verbal disagreement with the rapper Chip. The argument began when Chip implied that Brooks did not deserve his MOBO Award nomination, which escalated to releasing diss tracks about each other. When the dispute was resolved, this exposure ultimately helped both their rapping credibility, and their music reached a wider audience.[29][4][2] Brooks told Gulf Times in 2017 that he found the feud funny, especially when one of Chip's tracks argued that Chip's mom's house was nicer than Brooks' mom's house; Brooks threatened to "tip over [his] Smart Car" in response.[12][4]

2017-present

[edit]

Brooks became the face of the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star x Nike Flyknit shoe in 2017 and headlined the launch event at Victoria House, London in April.[10][30] His single "Fools Gold" was released shortly after.[10] Brooks performed another sold-out show, this time at KOKO with Yxng Bane as the supporting artist.[31][4] Brooks' first single of 2017, "Bestie" featuring Yxng Bane, was released in June and climbed the UK Charts, reaching the top 10 in October and achieving Gold status in November, followed by Platinum in February 2018.[32][33][6] The song's music video was filmed spontaneously in Dubai where the rapper was on a holiday. During this trip, Brooks asked Yxng Bane to fly out to film it. The music video shows them quad biking in the desert.[4][2]

Brooks performed at a number of festivals in the summer of 2017, including his headline set on the second stage at Wireless Festival in July.[11][34][35] He then played Jamaica House at the Indigo at the O2 on 10 August, and the V Festival on 20 August.[36][37][4] In September, Brooks announced that his The Chosen Tour would begin on 16 November in Glasgow and end on 1 December at the Dublin Academy.[38] He followed the announcement with two giveaway tracks: "Chosen" on 13 October and "All Night" featuring Mr Eazi on 27 October. Tickets for the Chosen Tour, including those for Shepherd's Bush Empire, sold out.[39][40]

Brooks featured on Steel Banglez's, "Bad" in November 2017 alongside MoStack, Mr Eazi and Not3s. This song reached #30 on the UK Singles Chart.[41] In 2018, he teamed up with Clean Bandit and Julia Michaels to release a remix of "I Miss You" on 5 January.[42] He collaborated with Timberland in 2019 to release the Brooklyn collection, a retro-inspired trainer.[43][13] The same year, he released his nine-track album Project Purple, which featured Dappy and One Acen, and did an album tour.[13][14][9] He also appeared at the SW4 and We Are festivals.[9] In 2019, he modeled for the Street Training range from New Balance and Liverpool F.C.[8]

In 2020, he released the singles "Handsome", featuring M24 in April[44] and "Mané & Salah" (named for Liverpool players Sadio Mané and Mo Salah) in July.[45] In February 2022, Brooks put out the single "Popstar" as a lead-up to his next album, Passionate & Paranoid, which featured artists Ghetts, Krept and Konan, and Avelino.[46] Brooks' first single of 2024 was "Dave & Cench Type Beat", a song reminiscent of Dave and Central Cee's 2023 beat "Sprinter".[47] Brooks' August release, "Is This What You Want?", was accompanied by a music video.[48]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Project Black & Red (2014)
  • Project Purple (2019)[49]
  • Passionate & Paranoid (2022)

Mixtapes

[edit]
  • Topic of Discussion (2013)

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[50] 		UK
R&B
[51]
"Money, Doe, Paper" 2013 — — Non-album singles
"Take My Number"[52][11]
(featuring Angel) 		2016 — —
"Bestie"[54]
(featuring Yxng Bane) 		2017 10 2
"All Night"[55]
(featuring Mr Eazi) 		98 —
"Mind on It"[56]
(featuring Jess Glynne) 		2018 47 27
"Intimate"[57]
(featuring Craig David) 		— —
"Pricey"[58]
(featuring One Acen) 		94 — Project Purple
"Comfortable"[59]
(featuring Dappy) 		2019 32 18
"Dubai to Ibiza" 2023 — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[50] 		UK
R&B
[51]
"Bad"[60]
(Steel Banglez featuring Yungen, MoStack, Mr Eazi and Not3s) 		2017 29 19 Non-album single
"Miss Diva"[61]
(One Acen featuring Yungen) 		2019 66 34
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
2015 MOBO Awards[62] Best Newcomer Yungen Nominated
NME Awards Best Newcomer Yungen Nominated
2016 Urban Music Awards[63] Best Grime Act Yungen Nominated
Best Male Act Yungen Nominated
2017 MOBO Awards[64] Best Song "Bestie" featuring Yxng Bane Nominated
Urban Music Awards[65] Best Song "Bestie" featuring Yxng Bane Nominated
Best Male Act Yungen Nominated
2018 NME Awards[66] Best Collaboration "Bestie" featuring Yxng Bane Nominated
Global Awards[67] Rising Star Award Yungen Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Akingbade, Tobi (4 October 2017). "In Focus: Rapper Yungen is more than his cameo in Straight Outta Love Island". Metro. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Smith, Thomas (6 October 2017). "Yungen: "I'm not here to be just another rapper in the country. I am here to be biggest"". NME. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Homewood, Ben (27 September 2017). "On The Radar: Yungen". Music Week. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Smyth, David (4 August 2017). "Yungen interview: Would I go back and be a rich kid? Never". Evening Standard. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  5. ^ Copsey, Rob (26 September 2017). "Yungen's Bestie climbs to Number 1 on this week's Official Trending Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  6. ^ a b @bpi_music (9 February 2018). "BPI Bestie Tweet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ a b Raynor, Dominic (16 October 2018). "Rapper Yungen constructs his Ultimate Red". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Yungen helps launch new LFC x New Balance Street Training range". Liverpool FC. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bradbury, Sarah (14 February 2019). "Everything Must Flow". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e Kane, Ashleigh (28 April 2017). "The south London rapper ticking all the boxes". Dazed. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Gold, Johnson (13 May 2016). "Exclusive Interview: PAUSE Meets Yungen". pausemag.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  12. ^ a b c Rowlands, Geoffrey (16 October 2017). "Biggest mainstream hit gives Yungen a high". Gulf Times. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Johnston, Kathleen (14 March 2019). "How platinum-selling rapper Yungen went from school expulsion to stardom". GQ Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b "WATCH: Yungen Reveals Why Krept & Konan Aren't On 'Project Purple'". Capital Xtra. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  15. ^ Jama, Maya (27 October 2014). "Maya Jama meets Yungen | The Wrap Up". mtv.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Yungen - Topic of Discussion". mixtapemadness.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2016.
  17. ^ "One to watch: Yungen, rapper, 21". The Independent. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  18. ^ "10 Interesting Facts You Never Knew About #CapitalJBB Star Yungen". www.capitalfm.com. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Naughty Boy Tour Dates". thelinkup.com. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2018.[dead link]
  20. ^ Tarr, Matt (24 October 2014). "Interview: Yungen". gigslutz.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  21. ^ "30 Seconds Interview: Yungen". m-magazine.co.uk. 4 January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  22. ^ "Big Move Yungen Ft Sneakbo "Ain't On Nuttin" Remix 2 Ft Stormzy, Bashy, Angel, Benny Banks, Ghetts and Cashtastic". officiallyurban.com. 6 January 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  23. ^ Tarr, Matt (9 November 2014). "Yungen LIVE @ O2 Academy, Islington 6.11.14". Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  24. ^ Doble, Stephen (30 September 2015). "2015 MOBO Award Nominations Announced". JazzLine News. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Yungen signs record deal with Sony RCA". certified-uk.com. 5 November 2015.
  26. ^ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Hot For... - Hot For 2016". BBC.
  27. ^ a b @yungenplaydirty (18 November 2016). "Cuffing Season Announcement Tweet" (Tweet) – via Twitter.[dead link]
  28. ^ Brydon, Grant. "Premiere: Yungen shares highlights of his sold-out Village Underground Show". Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  29. ^ Anderson, Sian (23 February 2016). "The Beef That Stopped the Internet: A Blow-By-Blow Account of Chip Vs Yungen". noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  30. ^ "Converse x Nike Flyknit". Location House. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Yungen Listing". KOKO. 12 April 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017.
  32. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (8 October 2017). "Logic, Alessia Cara, Khalid, Yungen And Yxng Bane Send New Singles Into The U.K. Top 10". Forbes. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  33. ^ Popat, Aarti (3 November 2017). "Yungen and Yxng Bane's 'Bestie' goes Gold!". thelinkup.com. Retrieved 23 February 2018.[dead link]
  34. ^ "Saturday Line Up". Wireless Festival. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017.
  35. ^ Goulding, Thomas (11 July 2017). "Skepta, Dave and Yungen at Wireless, Finsbury Park review: A feast of grime riches on a sweltering afternoon". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  36. ^ Yates, Jonathan (15 July 2017). "Jamaica House at the O2 Indigo: Who's on the lineup and how to buy tickets". Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  37. ^ Critchell, Matthew (24 May 2017). "V Festival organisers announce urban artists for the V Street Stage". chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  38. ^ "Yungen confirms The Chosen Tour". metropolismusic.com. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  39. ^ Yungen [@foreveryungs] (22 November 2017). "Chosen Tour Announcement" – via Instagram. [dead link]
  40. ^ Yungen (22 November 2017). "Chosen Tour Facebook Announcement". Facebook.
  41. ^ "Bad (feat. Yungen, MoStack, Mr. Eazi & Not3s)". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  42. ^ McNeilage, Ross (5 January 2018). "Yungen Remixes Clean Bandit and Julia Michaels' 'I Miss You'". MTV. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  43. ^ "YUNGEN X TIMBERLAND LAUNCH BROOKLYN SNEAKER WITH CONTENT PIECE THE GREEN ROOM". KINC. February 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  44. ^ "A 'Handsome' Yungen drops new music". The Voice. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  45. ^ Campbell, Joel (3 July 2020). "Liverpool fan Yungen releases new music video for 'Mané & Salah'". The Voice. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  46. ^ Qureshi, Arusa (1 February 2022). "Yungen on 'Passionate & Paranoid': "I just wanted to rap – I can't put it any other way"". NME. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  47. ^ "YUNGEN TACKLES A "DAVE & CENCH TYPE BEAT" ON NEW RELEASE". GRM Daily. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  48. ^ "YUNGEN UNVEILS "IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?" VISUALS". GRM Daily. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  49. ^ "Project Purple by Yungen on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  50. ^ a b UK Singles Chart peaks:
  51. ^ a b UK R&B Singles and Albums Charts peaks:
  52. ^ "Take My Number (feat. Angel) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  53. ^ a b c d e "British certifications – Yungen". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 January 2024. Type Yungen in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.[dead link]
  54. ^ "Bestie (feat. Yxng Bane) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  55. ^ "All Night (feat. Mr Eazi) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  56. ^ "Mind On It (feat. Jess Glynne) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  57. ^ Intimate (feat. Craig David) - Single by Yungen, 31 August 2018, retrieved 18 June 2023 – via Apple Music
  58. ^ "Pricey (feat. One Acen) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  59. ^ "Comfortable (feat. Dappy) - Single by Yungen". Apple Music. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  60. ^ "Bad (feat. Yungen, MoStack, Mr Eazi & Not3s) - Single by Steel Banglez". Apple Music. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  61. ^ "Miss Diva (feat. Yungen)- Single by One Acen". Apple Music. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  62. ^ "MOBO Awards 2015: See the Full Nominations List". Capital XTRA. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  63. ^ "Nominations for the 14th annual Urban Music Awards 2016 are announced". 19 October 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  64. ^ "Yungen". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  65. ^ Rutter, Clare (23 October 2018). "Stormzy, Dizzee Rascal, Wretch 32 and Yinka Bokinni among stars nominated at 2017 Urban Music Awards". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  66. ^ Daly, Rhian (17 January 2018). "Lord, Kasabian, and Dua Lipa Lead the VO5 NME Awards 2018 Nominations". NME. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  67. ^ "Global Awards Categories". Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
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