We recently connected with Stephen Mann and have shared our conversation below.

Stephen , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Coming from Savannah Georgia (a place where most people don’t leave) and being an independent artist is a huge battle. After having two sold out events there I realized the ceiling/max potential that could be done in a small city and packed my bags and moved to Houston Texas. Without knowing anyone or having any connections I just knew the music and my character would speak for itself. This is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken in my life and 100% glad I did come to Houston to show myself what I’m capable of doing. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the biggest risk was being far away from my roots and family. It does feel as if i uprooted myself a little too early just for music but it’s been a blessing and a huge gamble in every way.

Stephen , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A 10 Year old kid hearing Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” single on the radio is what made me pick up my first notebook and begin to write over the beat as Kanye rapped. I remember telling my dad over and over to play the song back. Growing up my older cousins would always come get me and make me rap in front of their friends but it was always fun to me. Always felt like a release of things I could say that I usually wouldn’t in conversation and it was AMAZING! This passion grew stronger and stronger over the years until I was an adult and realized “I Have To Take This Serious” after moving in with my Highschool sweet heart in Washington DC While she attended Howard University. She held me accountable and made me realize I could really make a living from what I love.

During Covid 19 we both lost our jobs and moved back home to Savannah Georgia and this is what really took my career off the ground. Being back home I knew a lot of people and everyone knew how serious I was taking music so I start curating my own events, the first one being “Juggin Out the Junkyard” which was literally a junk yard/mechanic shop that I went a month before the event and cleaned up daily. Seeing the results of it was a little deflating lol I was expecting a sold out show with people packed wall to wall. It was a great show I just didn’t see it for what it was at the time and instantly wanted to leave but I kept going. Fast forward to now I’ve curated or help curate about 10 events and they’ve been very successful. It’s been a long journey and we’re no where near done.

I love adding value to others and helping people execute their visions just like I do for myself. To be able to hear a plan, break it down and execute is the best thing in the world to me.

The #1 thing I want people to take from my brand is “We are all humans” and life is a balance of being a human being. We’re able to attack things like a lion and instantly revert to being a calm, down to earth, caring individual. You’re going to go through the emotions and roller coasters of life but it’s about how you take it on the chin and move forward.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My first performance ever was absolutely horrible but I had one guy stop me as I was walking out and she said “Keep Going Young Man” and it always stuck with me. Starting my official career in Dc, then moving back home to Savannah and facing the problems of getting people to support you who know you is a challenge within itself. Not giving up there and moving all the way to Houston just to further my career was a huge leap. We are still here and pushing!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’ve never had anyone actually come help and give me assistance on what to do next or how to execute on my goals. I think it would be huge blessing to have a group or AT least one person who can truly help and be an extra resource or someone who knows the right people to get in contact with would be great. Everything in my journey has been me diving in, bumping my head and learning what to do next. Sites like Fiverr.com, instagram ads, have been a huge help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/ysthelegend?fbclid=PAAaaGo1aA0ARTd2B_1_vhv9huC96suSrqeJEl4ThSc4XsfCaIovVAUbf8J4s_aem_AUHg0rCRVFy8DnfF5C2BLfaLeYOJCcyTspeLlPwEV7DWTb5VdnZ4BUjXWaQVqsw2bQo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysthelegend?igsh=MXB4MjM0dTQ3MTZuYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@YsTheLegend?si=lt003DnFRyaMu2EL

Image Credits
Jack Potts, Jonathan Lorenzo, and Romeo Harrell