CLS: Let us talk about the day of your arrest.
What was going through your mind that day?
YNA: Before this incident, I watched a John-
nie Depp – “Blow”; and in that movie Johnnie
Depp was supposed to smuggle some stuff.
I remember in the movie he said when you
are about to meet airport security, you must
think about the sweetest moment in your life
- I knew all that before heading to the airport.
So, in my head it was far from trouble until
trouble started.
CLS: What was your state of mind when the
trouble started?
YNA: I
knew I was
going
to prison –
straight –
and
I was
ready
for that.
The only
think I
kept im-
aging was
how the
place was
going to
be like until I
got there and
realized it
was
far
from
what I
was im-
aging.
CLS: Is
there
some-
thing
like an initiation for fresh inmates?
YNA: The first day you come in, there is
something called the 99 Laws pasted behind
the door in the cell. You are then introduced
to all the cell leaders. When you are done, you
are asked to go and stand in front of the water
closet and salute it.
CLS: How was the reception at home when
you were released?
YNA: It was great. I cannot under emphasize
or over emphasize it. The reception was great.
Home is home – always great to be home.
CLS: Let’s talk about your music.
YNA: Yeah, I rap and my style is quite unique.
I sound like me; you can hardly miss me on a
song.
CLS: I want to talk about stigmatization
YNA: My case is different. During my time
in prison, my family had to seek permission
from me before someone could come and
visit. When I came out, I was rather hostile so
I did not give people the chance and pleasure
to stigmatize me.
CLS: What do you have to tell your younger
self?
YNA: What I will tell my younger self is to
continue being daring but not step the same
places I did. 10years ago we did not have the
technology we have now so you do not have
to take the risks that I did. The world is con-
nected now and so you can achieve more
today than yesterday. Today, I will see some-
one who will go and do what I did 10years ago
as dumb because I am doing what everyone is
doing now. I do not need drug money to put
my stuff out there. I can reach the world from
my fingertips now.
CLS: Finally, tet’s talk about your coming EP
YNA: Yeah! Home - Street - Home. From our
interactions so far, you can tell I am a home
boy who came to the streets, got myself in
prison and now I am back home.
CLS: I appreciate you taking the time and
doing this.
YNA: It has been a pleasure.