The Break Presents: Young Greatness

Quality Control and Motown Records newest signee Young Greatness is ready to become New Orleans new rap star. He recently released his new mixtape I Tried To Tell Em, which features Quavo of Migos, Magnolia Chop, Sonyae-Elise and production by Jazze Pha, Cardo Got Wings, Nard & B, Honorable C.N.O.T.E and others. He has already collaborated with Meek Mill, Juvenile and Pusha T. Now the 28-year-old MC is ready to put on for his city. "I plan to lead by example and provide opportunity for other people in my city to make," he said to XXL over the phone. "I feel like it's going to be big for NOLA and hip-hop." Get to know him on the latest installment on The Break.—Emmanuel C.M.

Name: Young Greatness

Age: 28

Hometown: New Orleans

I grew up listening to: "I grew up listening to Juvenile, Jay Z and Biggie Smalls. As a kid my dad was a big fan of Jay Z, so when my dad used to listen to his music, that would of made me want to listen to Jay Z and know about his music and who he was. I got on [Jay Z] through my dad.

"My best friend, he’s one of the dopest rappers out of New Orleans I ever listened to. I believe in everything he did and I felt like I wanted that life for myself, so he inspired me to be a rapper. Juvenile's 400 Degreez, it was exciting. Everybody on the streets was fucking it. To me it just had the biggest effect on my life. It was everything that was going on in my life and people in my family’s life. So I was able to relate to that music, even as a kid."

Most people don’t know: "I’m a sports fanatic. I love the New Orleans Saints. I’m a Carmelo Anthony fan and I’m a huge fan of baseball too, shout-out to the New York Yankees. I used to play football, wide receiver and cornerback."

My style has been compared to: "A lot of people say I’m like a lyrical Juvenile, little bit of Jay Z, like on that level. A lot of people say that I’m like a lyrical Future."

Standout records and/or moments to date: "My standout moment was at Vegas when I performed my one of my singles 'Real Niggas Back' in front of like 12,000 people. It was crazy. One of my favorite records that I did is called 'Scared' because I just tell how I feel and some of the personal experiences that I went through my life."

My goal in hip-hop is: "To have longevity in a way; just to be consistent in making big records, impacting the masses. Have a long career, change the game."

I’m going to be the next: "Star to come out of New Orleans. It’s only one Young Greatness. I have goals to be the next star to come out of New Orleans and I have a strategic plan. I’m confident in myself. I believe in myself and at this point and time for my city, it’s going to be big for New Orleans. I got to do it. I don’t have another choice."

To check out more of Young Greatness’s music, follow him SoundCloud and follow him on Twitter.

Standout: I Tried To Tell Em mixtape

"Rollie on my Wrist" Feat. Meek Mill

"Yea" Feat. Quavo