Meet Yathegod | Recording artist, Supermodel

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yathegod and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yathegod, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from the Bronx, NYC -home of Hip Hop and the New York Yankees. Bronx culture has influenced me creatively 100%. The diversity, the influence of hip hop, and the adversity that can come with living in an inner city- an impoverished county. All of these elements made me tough, quick witted, and incredibly cultured. I was exposed to music and fashion. And grew up alongside many other very creative, talented people. I was like a sponge, just soaking in of the energy. And the thing about the Bronx, is that we’re also home of the underdogs. Many people have come from the dirt there, and made it out. People like, Kerry Washington, J Lo, and Cardi B inspire me very much. They believed in dreams much bigger than the Bronx, and proved that you can overcome anything.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Yathegod as an individual and brand is about recognizing the god in you. The god given talent and abilities. The god that we all recognize as the energy that connects us all. I learned that recognizing and honoring ourselves is the greatest thing we could do for each other as a society. I started professionally modeling 6 years ago at 18 years old. I was fresh out of highschool and trying to figure out what the rest of my life would look like. Modeling introduced me to the “industry” as a whole. It opened the doors for me to meet the people who eventually supported me in starting my music career- as I had predicted it would. This journey has been long, it’s been hard at times. Learning to handle rejection, being told no. Understanding how to navigate even racial/ socioeconomic injustice that we still face in media. I heard ALOT more No’s then Yes; and it taught me that the things that are truly for you, will be for you, and no one can take that from you. And whatever is not for you, is simply not meant to be. I had to overcome the fear of “failure” when pursuing music. That if I didn’t fully believe in myself, I would inevitably become my own worst enemy. Through dropping music and music videos I’ve learned so much about myself, my capabilities, and what I can handle as a one man band. All of these experiences have shown me how much I’m capable of achieving my dreams and more. I’ve learned discipline, discernment, and massive self love along the way.
I want people young and old, from all backgrounds to know that you can achieve anything through proper planning. Listening to the universe and following the signs around you. I want people to know that quitting is not an option in getting what you want. You have to keep going, no matter what.
Most of all you have to believe in yourself, more than anybody else, because when they tell you no (and they definitely will) you will turn that No into a yes for yourself. You will find a way regardless.

My art is everything to me, as it is my way of expressing, communicating, and connecting to those around me. In ways that are expressed with more than words. My art provides inspiration and validation. It’s what I will leave behind in this world, my impact. My art is me and it will be immortalized. I’m proud.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay, so for first time New Yorkers who want to see the sites, there’s so much to see. Depending on their interests, here’s where I would take them. Sports fans, Yankee stadium, or the Barclays center to catch a game.
Art fans, I would take to the Met, or the Moma, or even to walk around the city to look at the architecture like the “oculus” In FIDI.
My absolute favorite place in NYC is Times sq. The billboards and lights inspire me, the Broadway shows are LIT! And there’s always something exciting happening there.
For my friends who like to dance, I would take them to this club/lounge called “Et al” in the lower east side. They play BOMB disco music on Thursday’s there. (My favorite genre)
To eat, I’d take them to my favorite vegan spot called “Le botaniste” in soho- I’m not vegan, but the food is sensational, comforting and good for your body. I love it there.

Honorable mentions, dumbo, domino park, Central Park, and dim sum in china town – YUM.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to Teena at Teemobiz for recommending me! I’d like to give a shoutout and Thank you to a few people who have helped me on my journey. First, I’d like to thank my mother, who has been so supportive of my journey as a creative. She kept me in dance classes and flexing my creative muscles since 4 years old. I’d like to thank my friend group, Shavonne, Jassy, and the rest of the “Rebels” etc… for helping me hand and foot, with whatever I need in support of my career. There is nothing they wouldn’t do to see me succeed. I would like to thank Jamal Turner for taking the photos that eventually got me signed, thus changing the course of my life. And I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Harold Waight, an incredible painter/artist from Brooklyn, who TOLD me just how possible it was for me to be great. He taught me so much about the industry from the age of 15. Taught me all the do’s and don’t’s, how to carry myself as a brand, and knowing my worth as a creative. These lessons I will take with me forever. Thank you to anyone who’s lent me a helping hand on the way up. To those who helped to open doors, and spoke my name into rooms I wasn’t present in. I thank you.

Website: Www.shopyathegod.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yathegod/?hl=en

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/yathegod

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Yathegod/

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUz_mvfSjCfi8O2amMogwuA

Other: Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/discover/yathegod

Image Credits
Steve warren