“I’ve never looked at the industry as something I had to follow,” Young M.A declares. “If I needed time off, I took it.” One of the most genuine independent success stories of the last decade, she refused the pressure to constantly churn out music. With her upcoming sophomore album, she focused on the work behind the scenes—on both the music and herself. In that stretch, M.A prioritized her health, wealth, and inner peace, all while maintaining her foundation as a relatable voice of the people. Now she is ready to expand her sonic boundaries. “Making pain music is easy for me. But this time, I got a chance to create different sounds, different vibes, and step out of my comfort zone.” Singles like “Lasagna” and the forward-sounding “Baby Mama Trippin”—the latter dropping on Young M.A’s April 3 birthday—demonstrate both her growth and range. A decade after the blockbuster “Ooouuu,” Kween will arrive in May as a royal return for a groundbreaking, multi-platinum artist continuing to evolve on her own terms.
Young M.A is a product of her Brooklyn environment. “I came from a real tight situation,” she says, recalling the loss of her brother followed by the early pressure to provide for her family. Expression was always the goal. “Music is something that I had a strong passion for since I was a kid. It was something I knew I was going to pursue in my future, whatever the case.” A student of the culture, M.A defied the odds with a unique delivery, look, and style. By the early 2010s, her verses toppled the old guard. “Ooouuu” became the juggernaut that propelled a truly DIY artist to quadruple-platinum certification while capturing the raw energy of young New York.

Young M.A (an acronym for “Me Always”) bet on herself. She cemented her consistency with 2018’s “PettyWap” and 2019’s “BIG,” highlights from her debut album, Herstory in the Making. Collaborations with Eminem, T-Pain, Fivio Foreign, and others followed, showcasing a versatile artist who commanded respect across different circles and generations. Opportunities in film, radio, and major brand campaigns soon followed. “I never came into the game as anything besides myself,” she affirms. Alongside viral song making, M.A’s greatest asset is authenticity.
By the early 2020s, M.A began working on Kween, her sophomore album. Its title, shared with her foundation for single mothers in need, is a statement—it combines “queen” and “king,” asserting the majesty in us all. The message crystallized behind the scenes, as M.A adopted a sober lifestyle, invested in real estate, and transformed her physique through a disciplined gym regimen. These changes supported the album, alongside the healing from losses she addressed on a la carte revelation, “Open Scars.” “Being able to use my talents of writing and creating music with a clear mind is why I feel like this album is one of my favorites,” she explains amid a season of self-love. “I’m perfectly happy in my skin, and I’m just who I am at the end of the day.”

Apart from addressing what needed to be said with the occasional popout single, Young M.A did what few artists can—take space. “I have made my fan base my family; we’ve grown together. They understood my time off.” M.A is guarded about Kween, wanting her dedicated fans to experience the excitement of new tempos, influences, and splashes of new genres in real-time. “I’m the one who makes the decisions on what I want out there, how I want it, when I want it,” she declares. The album arrives with visuals and performances, including a Music Hall of Williamsburg show on May 28. “I’m just so excited. To have my own intimate tour with my supporters again is what I’ve wanted more than anything,” M.A says. Kween marks a charged-up restart for a multi-platinum artist who continues to evolve while keeping the crown.