'SZN 3' Isn't the Final Installment in PsychoYP's Album Series (EXCLUSIVE)
'BleuMag' spoke exclusively with PsychoYP, a Nigerian artist bringing a new wave of hip hop to the world. Let's meet the artist shaking up the industry.
By Kent OldenJuly 14 2023, Updated 2:45 p.m. ET
The international sound of music is something that has been around forever, but it has definitely been showing up and out in recent years. While Spanish influence made its mark in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the late 2010s and early 2020s began spotlighting the very popular Afrobeats. Tems, the singer behind "Free Mind," is taking over, and Wizkid is shaking up the industry, one track at a time.
PsychoYP is another to bring a new wave of Nigerian hip hop and show up for his culture.
BleuMag had a chance to sit down with PsychoYP to talk about how the music moves him and what he has in store for us. Keep scrolling for details from our exclusive interview with PsychoYP, the Nigerian artist making waves in the industry.
How does your album 'YP SZN 3' differ from the first two? What do you want listeners to take away from it?
PsychoYP: SZN 3 is meant to show my growth as an artist and how far I’ve come. The cover art has all three versions of YP in a lab – the third being the only one all geared up – representing this is somehow the “polished” version of YP.
'SZN 3' is the final installment in the series. What message are you trying to spread?
PsychoYP: This actually isn’t the final installment to be very honest, but I won’t say too much about that just yet. And all seasons have been mixtapes and will continue to be mixtapes, being that they’re all compilations of music recorded by me at any point in my life. The intro track on SZN 3 is a record I had done in 2019 and 2020.
So, my first official album will be something very special to me. Being locked in that space working on everything from scratch should present an even more polished version of me.
What motivates you to pursue music in the way that you do?
PsychoYP: I feel like this is all I’ve really got, and,how it comes to me so easily, I feel like it’s very spiritual. Coming from a family of music lovers and being able to be where I’m at right now in the scene is a blessing and I feel like I just gotta keep going.
Your sound incorporates various genres of music. What about those inspire you and how would you describe your signature sound?
PsychoYP: I think I’m just able to pick certain elements from different genres and present them the way it should be coming from me. I barely write, I just let everything flow out as it comes to my head. But I’d consider myself a rapper. No matter what genre you give me I’d bounce on that so crazy every single time and the flow is always gonna be something different.
How has it been adjusting to becoming a cultural icon in Nigeria and now across the globe?
PsychoYP: I’m not even where I wanna be yet but I’m so grateful to see that people are finally expecting the sound. I just try to work twice as hard everyday and stay focused.
Outside of music, what passion projects do you have going on?
PsychoYP: I mean right now, I’m focused on music so much I really don’t have time for anything else. But, as I’m doing all this music stuff, I’m out here shooting and editing the videos, and I’m getting better so yeah, you guys are about to see a lot more visuals from me.
What can we expect from PsychoYP in the future?
PsychoYP: I think everyone is just waiting for one more thing from me that’s just gonna put me where I should be including me, and so until then, I’m just gonna keep working and putting out beautiful music.
If you want to keep up with the latest from PsychoYP, you can follow the artist on social media @psychoyp.
