The Youth
Floortje and Merlijn are in conversation with the rapper
Every year, a group of 14 to 18-year-olds thinks about the program of Into The Great Wide Open and creates its own counter-movement within the festival. The Youth has its own hangout, hosts shows, and designs its own merch. Additionally, they also turn out to be worthy interviewers.
It is a beautiful Saturday in Vlieland. The sunlight peeks through the trees at De IJsbaan, where deep bass beats are thumping over the field. Hip-hop pioneer Hef has just started his show, but De Jeugd is momentarily distracted. They are waiting for Nnelg, who was once known as Yung Nnelg. He recorded an album in the summer of 2021 in Vlieland and today gives a first glimpse of that.
The members of De Jeugd – or better said interviewers – Floortje and Merlijn look at each other nervously. 'Do you already know your questions by heart?' Until they see a calm boy dressed in Ajax gear wandering down the path. Then all tension dissipates.
How were you in high school?
I got good grades. I did unfortunately stay in the 4th year; but hey, we just came back for the fifth year. I passed my math with an 8.5. Math A, you know. I was nice. Had no enemies and I bullied no one. I could get along with everyone.
Did you also study after high school?
I tried at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam. I studied there for four years. Then I thought: you know what, I’m going to enroll in the school of life. I'm going to stop with school.
Just do it.
Just do it, man.
What kind of music did you listen to when you were younger? What did you grow up with?
I grew up with hip hop. Especially from America. Kanye West, Lil Wayne. But also with Dutch hip hop; think of Hef, Kempi, or Green Gang.
Does that music still influence your new music?
Definitely. I also listened to a lot of Ghanaian music. I drew a lot of inspiration from that. From going to church and seeing how a band plays. I try to apply that in my processes now.
Do you remember the first time you went out? How was that?
Yeah man, the first time I went out was Club Home. I was still too young to get in. But I got in. Probably with a fake ID or something. It was exciting man. I didn’t know what was happening, you know, I didn’t really know how to maneuver or whatever. But yeah, Club Home man.
You changed your stage name. The Yung is off, What was the thought?
It stands for personal growth as an artist.
What can we expect from the new album?
The album is really a concept. You need to listen to it from start to finish. In the sounds, you will hear what inspired me to do what I do now. And what has made me who I am today.
What is something you took away from Kamp Nnelg?
What inspired me from that camp was preparing for a writers' camp while leaving a percentage open for the magic that can happen. So not planning everything from A to Z tightly; but from A to M.
Room to improvise.
Yeah man, and NOPQRSTUVWXYZ just leaves you open.
Final chord
De Jeugd asked Nnelg which tracks inspired him for his current work. They themselves supplemented the list with top picks from Nnelg's repertoire. Check the playlist below.
