Picture 17

So….

A big birdie tells me that Yelawolf has officially signed to Interscope Records. Again, buzz+climate created a bidding war, but it seems Jimmy Iovine was highly motivated. Congrats to the Alabaman! Now usually I just pretend to be interested in people, but I’m honestly intrigued by this fellow (and I enjoy his Zannel). Fans who were introduced to Yelawolf’s twang on Juelz Santana’s “Mixing up the Medicine” may need to ease into his unfiltered solo work, but I like his southern-comfort-in-his-own-skin attitude. It’s definitely attracted some vets (Bun B, Travis Barker, the Neptunes, Raekwon etc), not to mention, everyone who saw Yelawolf at the Nahright x Smoking Section SxSW show left raving as well. So that’s no small feat.

Plus, when Atrak and I met him at the FnF party in LA, he was kooky but supernice. How can you not like a guy who cites 10,000 Maniacs as an influence, and describes his music as “grimy, box-Chevy, dope-boy, working-class music.”

I expect this new Interscope deal will add more fuel to those overanxious Eminem comparisons. (“If I’m ever in the same room with [Em], I definitely would holla… I’m sure in the near future we’ll cross paths.”-Yela in Vibe)…and maybe one day lead to carefully orchestrated collaboration. Corporate synergy!

(**Was Yela the last holdout of the current crop of buzzing newscomers? I guess Jay Electronica could sort of count as another holdout. He has a deal with Decon, but I believe it’s a one-off?**)

UPDATE: Hmm, so two people hit me on twitter to say that one member of Yelawolf’s management team is denying the Interscope deal. So…..now we wait. Which makes me anxious because I hate being inaccurate more than anything in the universe. But my source was very reliable.

UPDATE 2: Maybe that guy from Yela’s team didn’t get the memo? Congrats Yela! Congrats KP/GhetoVisionary1 and congrats Interscope!

More Yelawolf interview and videos, after the jump…


(Fader talks to Yelawolf behind the scenes at SxSW)


(Yelawolf feat. Cyhi the Prince and Pill “I Wish (Remix)” via Nahright)


(Yelawolf performs “Good to Go” at SxSW, via RR)


(a nicely done clip highlighting Yelawolf’s performance at Smith’s Old Bar in Atlanta. With a strong endorsement from Greg Street..followed by footage of B.O.B. as well)

Previously:
Juelz Santana x Yelawolf “Mixing Up the Medicine” Video