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There’s so much talent coming out of the L.A. rap scene.

Everyone knows about rappers like Kendrick Lamar, YG, and Kid Ink.

But let’s talk about the guys bubbling on the underground, like Vince Staples, DUBB, Skeme, and Buddy. Or, better yet, let’s talk about one guy in particular: and that would be Young Sam.

Young Sam is equal parts novice and veteran.

Sam has been a popular figure online for years. The L.A. rapper has spent time building up his fanbase by embracing listeners on social media outlets like MySpace, Twitter, and Instagram.

In 2012, Sam got people moving when he released his stellar mixtape, TRAPforina. Now, two years later, Sam is getting ready to drop the sequel, which will be hosted by DJ Mustard, and is expected to drop in November.

Recently, Sam kicked it with us to talk about his social media presence, where he fits in the L.A. rap scene, Trapforina 2, and which city has the most beautiful ladies in the world.

Check it out below.

GlobalGrind: What role did social media play in your career?

It started with rapping, but social media made everything pick up. I started on YouTube, uploading videos. Some videos were getting a few views, and then the next thing you know, I did a video with dancing in it, and that video got a million views.

So I strategically put my songs behind these dance videos, since they’re getting millions of views. People were leaving comments like ‘What’s that song?’ I started getting on MySpace and eventually I graduated to Twitter.

I know how to interact with people through social media. I just know how to talk to the people. I think that’s what it’s really about. When you are up and coming, you gotta really get at these people and really talk to them, you know, keep ‘em tuned in, and that’s what I really like to do. Keep my fans tuned in and hands on, like they really know me.

Where do you fit in the L.A. rap scene?

I’m at the top. South Central L.A. I been reppin’ L.A. for so long. So many fans, so many people. I’m on that list, that L.A. list. If you’re from L.A., California, and you don’t know who I am, you trippin’. You’re lost. You don’t listen to hip-hop, or something.

How would you separate yourself from the Kendricks, YGs, Tygas, and Problems of the world?

First of all: I don’t gang-bang, so I’m good everywhere I go. In L.A., it’s a lot of gangs out here. People gang-bang so they can’t get that pass. I’m blessed, and my social media presence is different from every artist’s social media presence. My social media presence is killing ’em. I don’t see too many people responding to their fans. I try to stay in contact with them as much as possible.

As far as music: my topics are different from everybody else’s topics. I started with the jerking music, but now I got older and I conquered that — got to the highest level of that. Now, I talk about what I see, what I go through. I know a lot of people go through the same thing I go through, so I keep it as real as possible when I write. Seeing what I see, like police brutality, kids dropping out of school. There are so many different topics to address.

What are you working on now?

Trapfornia 2, hosted by DJ Mustard. It’s big. It’s amazing. I’m at the stage making sure it sounds right, elevating my sound, taking it to the next level.

What’s the process like making it? Is it annoying? Fun? Hard?

I want these records to sound the way I want them to sound. It’s tough a little, but, you know, you gotta get this done right. I don’t want to put nothing out that’s unofficial. I wanna make sure everything is right, for the fans, cause they deserve it.

What role is Mustard playing on this?

He’s hosting it. He’s talking shit on it. It’s like a co-sign stamping, letting them know it’s official — this is real.

Can we expect a couple of Mustard joints on there?

So far he’s just hosting. But we are negotiating something possibly.

Tell me a little about what the last year has been like for you.

I’ve been traveling and recording so much. This project probably has 16 songs, but, honestly, I’ve recorded around 200 songs for the project.

What’s the coolest spot you’ve been to while traveling?

London. My favorite place to go. The beautiful women and I got to do an interview with Tim Westwood. The women, though, that’s what really got me locked in. Like there are queens out there.

What do you want 2015 to bring?           

I want my music on a higher level. I want to collaborate with higher artists. I want to work with Wiz Khalifa, for sure — Chris Brown. I want to elevate. It’s all about elevation. I’m endorsed with a shoe company. I want to elevate that to the hip-hop world. I want my music to expand worldwide where it’s locked in, where everybody knows the records.

Follow Young Sam on Twitter @SamMight69Her

PHOTO SOURCE: Instagram

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