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Crank It Up |
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Post'n |
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Get Loose (Feat. Soldierboy) |
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Meko Young is trying to help young, aspiring singers be successful without auditioning for "American Idol." Young is president and CEO of local record label Young World Entertainment, which is scheduled to release its first CD on April 15, a compilation of its various artists including several new local acts. Young said he is "ecstatic" about the label's first release, which is titled "Needle in a Hay Stack." "I've been working on this plan for three years now. I've picked up every artist I have in the past year and a half," said Young, 26, who also raps on the CD. "I love music. I'm originally from New Jersey, and I lived in Harlem for about six years, so rap has always been a part of my life." Young said that about 13 artists are on the label and several live in Cherokee County. He said the artists signed to his label perform rap, R&B and rock. "They all have their own style. The music for everybody is different," said Young, who said he always is looking for new talent. "I'm trying to be successful in this industry. There are a lot of people doing the same thing that I'm doing, so you have to have something that stands out about yourself and makes you different than the other people." Young, who runs a screen-printing business and a small home-improvement business called Rampage Home Improvements from his home to help finance the label, said all of the label's artists are in the business for the love of the music. "They love performing. They love writing, and it's not a thing of looking for superstardom. Those are the kinds of people that you really want to deal with and not the people who come in and go, 'I want to get paid,'" he said. "It doesn't work like that. You have to pay dues first. You got to bake bread before you break bread." Jim McMahan, president of Jamm Entertainment Group and manager of local band B-5, said Young is trying to give young, aspiring artists a chance to experience the music business. "I think Meko is a very unique individual for what he is trying to accomplish and trying to do," he said. "He has a real drive to get something in the north Atlanta area." Woodstock High School senior Jaymes "J" Miller, 18, son of Robin Miller of Woodstock, is one of the Cherokee artists on the label. Miller, who sings R&B and has been singing since he was 6, said he learned about the record label through a friend. Miller said he decided to join the label because of the positive atmosphere of the label. He has cut three singles so far, one of which is featured on the compilation album. "It's a dream come true. It's not 100 percent of the dream, but I'm satisfied with it," said Miller, who is a member of the varsity singers at Woodstock High. "It's incredible to be able to share yourself with someone else, and music is how I do that." Miller said he hopes that being on the label is the first step to a music career. "I'm just putting as much work into it as I possibly can and trying to make this thing happen," said Miller, who also has been on tour with B-5. "I appreciate Meko and how hard he is working for the artists." Young World Entertainment artist Keymo, which stands for "Keep Every Young Mind Open," said he also learned about the record label from a friend. Keymo, whose real name is Michael McGee II, will be featured on the compilation album and has heard one of his songs on a college radio station in Valdosta. He said Young is motivated to help young artists. "He's always going to be there to help you and guide you and help you do the right things," said 22-year old McGee of Austell, who is a rap artist.
