'Listen Before You Speak' w/ 'Yonny'

This isn't just another artist interview. This is…

An episode of the The UpNUp Podcast podcast, hosted by The UpNUp Network, titled "'Listen Before You Speak' w/ 'Yonny'" was published on March 10, 2026 and runs 71 minutes.

March 10, 2026 ·71m · The UpNUp Podcast

Summary

This isn't just another artist interview. This is 90 minutes of pure transparency from someone who just lived the dream most people only fantasize about - and he's breaking down exactly how it happened. "Yonny" didn't just "make it." He strategically built something from nothing in Seattle, turned down major label offers, and chose his own path to Warner Records. The decisions he made will challenge everything you think you know about the music industry. WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT: Most success stories skip the real parts. The declined credit cards. The self-doubt. The moments when quitting felt easier than continuing. Yonny doesn't skip anything. Key Moments: 10:57 - The Busta Rhymes moment that started everything 17:28 - Meeting his core team in Seattle 23:23 - The show that changed his career 29:00 - Getting signed to Warner Records 44:17 - The story behind "Rich in Melanin" 46:42 - Real advice for upcoming artists 52:12 - Seattle's hip-hop renaissance 54:58 - His mom's inspiration 59:27 - Music industry secrets 1:02:47 - What drives him every day

Episode Description