A few months back yojas. wandered onto our radar with ‘ybn’ and ‘x’. Within a few days, a number of our writers had hit me with links to his latest release asking, “Have you heard this!?” Shortly after he landed on our radar he dropped a massive single on Quality Goods Records’ QGRC-004, getting a co-sign from one of the most important labels out. His output and the quality of work have been nothing short of mind-blowing. He’s unleashed over 10 tracks since we began following him in November. Combining familiar rap vocals, obscure samples, a powerful trap back bone and some incredible bass, yojas. has quickly become one of the most promising producers right now. Before he takes over 2019, we had to connect with him for a guest and interview. The interview touches on his beginnings, the importance of simplicity, how trap music keeps getting better, upcoming collabs and more. The mix is 37 minutes of slaps featuring a few IDs from yojas., a tone of his own tracks and music from FUXWITHIT favourites like Thook, t1r, NXSTY + more.
Who is yojas?
My name is David Yim and I am an Asian american (Korean) producer born and raised in a little town called Westlake Village, California. I am 23 years old and just recently graduated college with a marketing degree. Currently trying to pursue my music career while my parents are stressing for me to get an actual job. It’s the real struggle living in an Asian household. I also love making dumb beats just for fun.
All I did was practice and produce for about three years and was sitting on a ton of tracks that I was too self conscious to release.
When did you decide that you wanted to make music? What drove you to start producing?
My parents actually made my older sisters learn piano since they were about 5 years old, but they grew up absolutely despising every minute of it. So they gave me the freedom to learn what I wanted. I first picked up a guitar when I was about 10 years old because my homie taught me how to play everyone’s first song ‘Smoke On The Water’ by Deep Purple. It was my first instrument I learned and sparked many shitty bands with close friends from middle school to high school.
One of my closest childhood friends Duncan was the only person I knew who actually started producing electronic music back in the end of high school. Watching him produce all these songs from scratch blew my mind cause I had this novelty idea that creating EDM was such a giant task. I soon wanted to try it for myself in my freshman year of college so I downloaded GarageBand and made rap beats for my friends and I to rap on. It didn’t take long for us to realize we were shitty rappers but my passion for creating music via computer grew immensely. I soon graduated to Logic Pro and then Ableton not too long after. I was also really into raving in my college years and that truly inspired me to wanna begin to attempt to take this seriously. All I did was practice and produce for about three years and was sitting on a ton of tracks that I was too self conscious to release. But with the help of friends and some harsh pep talks, I finally released “ouykcuf.” which gained a lot of likes for my first official release. I realized that I could finally start releasing without feeling ashamed of my abilities. That was a little more than 1 year ago.
A quick google search tells me yojas means good person, good planner. Do you identify with these qualities?
I actually didn’t know that but I would like to think that I’m a good planner and a good person. I like to surround myself with some funny, grounded, genuine people because I dont have time or the mental capacity for bullshit. I think I got this from my dad. He’s very short tempered and has zero tolerance for mediocrity. Love him to death though.
Yojas actually means girls in Korean. Its sparked from my Instagram username I made back in high school which was “yimlikeyojas” which means “yim (my last name) likes girls”. So dumb thinking about it now.
You could have the craziest sounds in your song but just because your song has crazy intricacies doesn’t mean it’s gonna bang…If your head ain’t bouncing while your producing, you’re doing it wrong.
You’ve said that simplicity is a core element of your sound. How do you keep your music simple while still making it feel full and banging?
The core elements I try to focus on when writing my song is a strong lead, the punchiest of drums, and an ultra deep, gritty 808. Then I try to focus on some great songwriting which I’m still trying to practice and perfect. You could have the craziest sounds in your song but just because your song has crazy intricacies doesn’t mean it’s gonna bang. I feel like Thook is a perfect example of this although a lot of his sounds are pretty wild. Thook’s songs writing skills are unreal to me. All of his drops are so simple, yet groove so hard to where you can’t help but to bounce your head. If your head ain’t bouncing while your producing, you’re doing it wrong.
One of your signatures is becoming what sounds like a crow sample. Where did this come from and how did it become a staple in your music?
I think I heard it in a rap song on the radio one day but I honestly can’t remember what song it was. But as soon as I heard it, I knew i had to put it in one of my songs. I noticed that people were commenting about how much they liked it in the first song I put it in, so I started putting it in many other songs ever since. I’m glad it’s part of the signature yojas sound. Definitely an unintentional tag but I’m glad people caught on to it.
In my opinion, trap has evolved immensely within a 4-5 year span. People are just getting better and better and there’s no stopping it.
There’s been a lot of talk online about the early days of trap and nostalgia around it. Do you think trap is better now or back then?
In my opinion, trap has evolved immensely within a 4-5 year span. People are just getting better and better and there’s no stopping it. With all these new patches, sample packs, presets, and new inspirations, anyone can make a banger if they really tried. But trap is only evolving and it only going to get bigger and better. There is definitely a nostalgic feeling when I listen to oldies like Carmack, but I feel like trap hits so much harder today. Today, there are way too many creative and talented young artists that allow this genre to advance sonically. Btw, huge fan of Krischvn’s music. He is pushing boundaries in trap music and is definitely my favorite artist right now so shout out to him.
The majority of your releases have been rap remixes. Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with hip-hop?
Although I use a ton of hip hop acapellas in my music, I honestly don’t listen as much rap music as you think. I definitely had a rap phase growing up in high school and listened to MC’s that ranged from CunninLynguists, to Kanye, to Mac Miller. I do like to keep up to date with the latest rap music trends and artists however, I’m not completely into rap like I used to be. I just really enjoy filling in empty spots in my songs with acapellas that everyone can recognize and vibe to.
Who are your top 5 rappers of all time?
Kanye
Tupac
Asap
Future
Mac Miller
I heard you used to rap. Can you give us a sample of your best bars ever? If not, then give us your worst.
“My name is David Yim. I go to 7-11 and get a slim jim.” BARS. But I’m not rapper. All jokes aside, I’m way too dumb to write a verse with even a smidge of wit or cleverness and I realized that way too late in my life.
What do you look forward to after a long day?
People say that your should be enjoying 20’s, living your best life and partying. But nah, I love coming home after a day to either sit on my bed and write a tune, or pone some nubes on Apex Legends. I’m currently obsessed with this game and I cant say its positively affecting the time I need for creating new shit. I need to find a balance cause its killing me right now.
I saw that you’re quitting smoking cold turkey. How’s that coming along?
After being a heavy weed smoker for 5 years straight, getting off weed has been one the toughest things I’ve had to overcome. But the reason why I quit is due to the fact I’ve been dealing with uncontrollable anxiety and depression issues lately. I feel like smoking for all these years had exacerbated these feelings as of late and I personally feel like there should be a point in everyone lives where they just need to quit these substances. I’m happy that I’ve come this far in the process and have started to feel a lot better with my overall health, physically and mentally. I can only speak for myself though. Everyone has different experiences with weed but this is what I am personally dealing with.
I just want to hone my craft and make the best possible content while still being genuine artist.
Most of you release have been solo works. Any exciting collabs on the horizon?
Got some collabs with t1r, bd hbt , scharame, B-Dos, runnit and many more. Can’t wait to finish these bad boys and release them to you all.
What’s next for you?
Got a ton of collabs I need to finish. Hopefully some more shows along the way this year. I just want to hone my craft and make the best possible content while still being genuine artist. Hope y’all will stick with me along the way!
Tracklist:
yojas. -ID
flume – ecdysis
dilip x loj – levels
nxsty – exhale
yojas – “terre-pon.”
thook – taken
yojas – igethebag.
yojas. – ID
Runnit x Chow Chow – rob repeat
yojas – ybn
stuca – scrape
krischvn – ID
yojas – saran
t1r- yuu
thook – hesitations
yojas. – apathetic.
ID X ID -ID
zack fox – square up
isoxo – fuckboi
bd hbt – no refill
yojas – charisma
yojas – babatunde (yojas. edit)
anti all – devour
nxsty – break
yojas x julius c. – ID
yojas x kurei x bd hbt – ID
yojas x we rose – showme.
