Today, we’d like to introduce you to Justin Epstein.
Hi Justin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started in the music industry when I was 16 when I started writing and performing my rap music. After college and just before the beginning of the pandemic, I dove back into the scene and have become synonymous with the Cleveland local music scene. After performing at countless shows across Cleveland, I began to book and promote my own shows, which led me to become the talent buyer I am today. Kathy and Wallace gave me my first talent-buying opportunity at Grog Shop in 2023, and I am now the official talent buyer for Beachland Ballroom for many years to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say the first challenge I faced from the age of 10 was the loss of my dad. My dad was my best friend and biggest musical inspiration. Every day since his death to this day has been an uphill battle I would never wish on my worst enemy. I try to honor his name and memory every day through my craft. Additionally, when I was younger, I struggled to find confidence in my craft as I was bullied for making music. Over time, I gained support from my best friends and earned a lot of love and support from the local scene. It has never been easy for me to be taken seriously as a rapper, but I have proven myself 10-fold, and now there is no question that I was right for chasing my dreams all these years ago.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost, I am a Hip-Hop Artist. My name, ‘Y.A.Y.A’, is an acronym for ‘You Are Yourself Always.’ Those words mean more to me now than ever. I have been making rap music since I was 15, going on 11 years, and released my Debut Album ‘EGODEATH’ last year. I have played almost every venue in Cleveland and was nominated by the Cleveland Scene for ‘Best Rap Artist’ in 2022. After years of hard work performing, promoting, and supporting my friends in the local scene, I was given the opportunity to take over as Talent Buyer at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, thanks to my mentor and close friend, James Carol. I also am one of the Co-Founders of ‘The Room Recording Company’, which was nominated by Cleveland Scene for ‘Best Local Startup’ in 2023. Through ‘The Room,’ we have been able to create a live-recorded tiny desk-esque concert series focused on elevating local music in a truly intimate setting with our ‘Lekko Late Night’ concert series. On top of all of that, I am also an integral part of “Greyt Culture’ founded by other mentors and close friends, Tom Fox & Pauly Suchy. With them we have put on iconic rooftop shows all across Cleveland with our series ‘Golden Hour’. I could truly go on forever about all of the amazing experiences and people I have met along my journey, but long story short, my entire existence in the Cleveland music scene is to help and surround myself with others who work just as hard as I do day in and day out. I still have so much more to accomplish and so many more people to help chase their dreams. I may never be the most talented or the best at one single thing, but I will outwork anyone and do it with the utmost love, compassion, and empathy for those around me. Cleveland is my favorite place in the whole wide world, and I can’t wait to help show everyone why that is.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
You do not know where your life will take you. You do not know who will be in your life a year from the time you read this. At the end of the day, if you continue to follow what you truly love, you will never truly fail. Only continue to learn and grow. You are truly yourself always, and no matter how much you don’t like it, you can’t change that. Learn to love yourself. Oh, and support your local music scene. There is SO MUCH TALENT in every genre. The Rosie, Illest Villains, Grumpy Plum, Solon, Truss, Collin Miller, Apostle Jones, Honeyland, False Teeth, Kwas-E, TobyRaps, Da Land Brass Band, Wish Queen, Chayla Hope, Tessas, Fruitfly, Blossom Park, Dishwasher Possum, and just too many more amazing acts that could be YOUR NEXT FAVORITE Band/Artist.
Pricing:
- My Next Show is 3/29 @ Lekko Coffee, Tickets are $20, 50 tickets total
- it costs $0.00 to support your local scene.
- The Room is $25/Hr to book with in-house Mix & Mastering
Contact Info:
- Website: youareyourselfalways.com
- Instagram: @yayasmusic
- Twitter: @yayasmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTDD8RUhlUM-kIhgOxR2AQQ
- Other: https://linktr.ee/yayasmusic
Image Credits
Tessa Smith
Rebecca Aslanis
Jason Fraley
