A hit debut single can make or break a career.  Depending on the level of success attained there’s always the risk of having that single define one’s entire musical identity.  Few artists can handle such an immediate impact and are immediately relegated to one-hit wonder land.  Such is the situation facing hip-hopper Young B, whose 2006 summer single with DJ Webstar, “Chicken Noodle Soup,” became an instant smash.  The song was played on virtually every block, in every club, and Oprah Winfrey even tried the song’s signature dance moves on her show.

Soon after the single faded away it seemed that Young B did as well.  DJ Webstar’s Scrilla Hill Records label was dropped from Universal; thereby leaving Young B on her own to pursue a solo career.  Since her hit single, young stars like Lil’ Mama, Souljah Boy, and Teyanna Taylor have emerged and are cornering the young hip-hopper market. But Young B is back in action.  She has a new buzz single, “Where My Girls At,” and reality series DVD, Lights, Camera, Action!  Simultaneously she’s working hard on an upcoming album.

After school Young B kicked it with Sixshot as we talked why DJ Webstar’s label folded, her beef with Lil’ Mama, the pressure to redefine herself musically, searching for a major label deal, preparing for her high school graduation, the death of her brother, her father’s illness, why she no longer puts sugar on her Frosted Flakes, and more.      

You were signed to DJ Webstar’s Scrilla Hill Records which at the time was distributed through Universal.  Why did they drop him so fast after the hit single?

Maybe because I wasn’t on the front of the cover.  [Laughs]  I don’t know, because they came out with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” and the rest of his music wasn’t like kiddie or in that lane they [Universal] wanted.  They didn’t focus on me so they didn’t know like where to take them; so they just dropped his label.

Did your experience with Universal disillusion you?

No not really because I feel if you’re doing what you’re supposed to do and you have your stuff together, a label wouldn’t want to drop you.  They would only give you more money and stuff to put behind your propjet.  But you have to believe in yourself.  The label gives you the money but you have to still work.  You don’t just get signed and they do everything for you.  So if they [Scrilla Hill] were doing that they wouldn’t be dropped.  That’s a mistake that the people behind Webstar made.

So what’s your relationship with DJ Webstar now?

That’s my peoples.  We cool, we cool.  That’s like my brother for life—not music wise, but friend and family wise

Songs like “Chicken Noodle Soup,” can often pigeon hole an artist.  So has that been something you’ve had to negotiate and struggle with in the aftermath of that song’s success?

Yes, I had to struggle because I’m labeled as the “Chicken Noodle Soup,” girl people were saying it’s like a one-hit wonder.  So I got to get myself out of being just the “Chicken Noodle Soup,” girl.

How do you aim to do that?

Just do more music, sign to a major label, put an album out, and do more things.  My manager and I are gonna try to go at all angles to get me from being labeled as the “Chicken Noodle Soup,” girl.

What is the side of Young B that you want to get across musically that people haven’t seen?

I’m versatile.  I can sing so I would like to show that too—not only that it’s kiddie music.  I’m lyrical and I can sing and write music.

After you came on the scene we got Lil' Mama and Teyanna Taylor.  You all share a similar fan base of young hip-hoppers.  What do you think of there emergence on the scene?

Well Teyanna, she’s cool.  That’s my friend and she’s talented.  She has a different style though.  She’s more of a pop—she’s different but she’s cool.  Lil' Mama—really no comment.  She’s more of a rapper like hardcore rapper.  She’s not like me.  I’m girly and I like bags and heels.

I understand that you and Lil’ Mama recently had a public beef on wax.  For me it’s crazy because there aren’t too many female rappers, and then we have you young ladies that finally emerge and already there’s a beef!  Laughs]

Yeah I know that’s crazy right??  I think there shouldn’t be beef.  Everybody should be trying to get together to sell as much as possible.

Since they came out do you feel pressure to redefine Young B to your fans?

Yeah basically I really do have to.  I’m making my own identity for myself.  I was labeled as a group with DJ Webstar.  So first Lil' Mama came out and then Teyanna and they were already by themselves.  It was them and no group.  So that’s what I have to make myself now—a solo artist.

Is that nerve wracking for you?

No, I’m ready.  I’m just ready to get signed to a major label and get it going from there.  Me and my manager are working everyday as if we are signed to a label.  We just need more of a machine and money to get more places.

What has the reception been thus far from the major labels?

We haven’t really shopped but we have some things on the table.  Everything has been positive with radio.  We have had singles already played on the radio and now we just need the final label that we’re gonna go with.

In the meantime you’re releasing the reality series DVD, “Lights, Camera, Action!”

Yeah I have that coming out and I have a single that we’re pushing now called “Where my Girls At.”  It’s getting play in Kentucky and places like that.

What is the one thing about Young B separate from the music that you want to get across with this reality series DVD?

To show that I’m a regular girl next door; fun to hang out with; and just down to earth.  I’m not like a celebrity that’s stuck up; and you can’t chill with me or get an autograph.  I’m just regular.

What’s the one thing we’d be surprised to discover about Young B in the series?

I can’t even tell you now.  I’m just trying to see it myself when it comes out.  [Laughs]

You’re preparing to graduate from high school--

Yes I’m still in regular school.  That’s another thing that’s hard on me.  I couldn’t go on tours because I’m still in regular high school.  I graduate in June so after that I can be heavily focused on the music.  I’m ready to come out and just go past everybody.

Are you going to the prom?

Uhm, I was going to the prom.  I have a couple of dates in mind but I’m not sure.  I might have to do a show on the prom date.

I’m sure you’re popular in school for better or worse.  How do you handle that?

It’s been crazy!  My principals and teachers ask me to do shows for other schools.  Kids in other schools when they see me they’re like, “It’s not you!”  Then they ask for my autograph and teachers stop me in the halls asking for my autograph.  It’s just crazy.

I’m sure you must also have some teens that are not as positive.

Yeah you know you’re gonna get haters regardless whether you’re on top or a bum.  It doesn’t matter what you do.  Somebody is gonna talk about you.

Do you have plans for college?

I might.  It wouldn’t stop my music because I can take certain classes to work around my schedule.  I’m hoping to get signed to a major so I can focus on music. I can always go back to college or take college classes in between.

You once mentioned personal life problems.  What struggles has Young B gone through in her life?

Well right when I was starting to do music my brother had passed away.  He was a major part of my life and it was very crazy.  I was in Virginia and when I came home he passed away.  It had me down for a long, long, long time but then I stated doing music because I know he would want me to.

How old was he?

27.

How did he pass?

From diabetes.  It’s in my family.  My father has it now and he’s real sick.  He has to get a kidney transplant so it was like real sad.

Has that made you look at your health critically since diabetes runs down your family lie?

Yeah my whole family really takes care of their self now.

You changed your diet?

Yes, I get more exercise and not a lot of sweets.  No sugar in my Honey Nut Cheerios.

You do not need sugar in there--

[Laughs] And no sugar in my Frosted Flakes.

I can’t believe you did that!

[Laughs]

How is your dad’s condition affecting you?

That’s why I'm trying to make it big so I can buy him that house and make sure he has everything he needs.  I want to be famous for my family so I can give them back everything they did for me and help them out.

What more does Young B want to accomplish?

I want to be on top of on top.  I want to be superstar B.  I want to have longevity in the music industry and learn the business from every angle.  I want to learn to make beats and accomplish everything that you could ever accomplish with this music business.  I want to make a clothing line and do features with the best artists.  There’s a million things on the list.

For more information please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/youngbdupree