Following on from the release of his highly-praised studio album 'Respira' last year, UK-based Angolan rapper Yilly Ruel is now back for 2023 to deliver his powerful new single 'God Bless The Kid'.
Capturing more of that broad and immersive hip-hop sound he is known for, 'God Bless The Kid' makes for an incredibly rich and impactful listen. With his smooth and driven flow riding across a gospel-infused production from start to finish, he is continuing his rise as one of the more captivating names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Although I do not know how to play any instrument, my first love has always been the piano. The way you can lay all the emotions in those keys is amazing to hear. Then when I started producing, I realised that it is much more than that as the MIDI piano can represent many different instruments and sounds and that is what fuelled the deeper connection I have with it today. For Example, on my latest single “God Bless The Kid” I am the one who applied the conga and the different percussions at the beginning with a MIDI piano to showcase my African heritage through sound.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was a very romantic kid. The type to write poems to a girl if I really liked her so I would be listening to a lot of romantic songs. I listened a lot to an Angolan R&B singer named Anselmo Ralph and internationally it was Chris brown, Usher. My Dad used to bring CDs with 50 romantic songs from the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s and I would listen to those even without understanding a word as I only spoke Portuguese at the time. It was about the emotions they transpired in the songs. After, learning English and going back to those songs I realised that I was right to feel that type of way about those songs like Lady in red by Chris De Burgh and With you by Chris Brown.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I am Angolan so everything that I first owned was from the artist in my country. I think the first one was and R&B album named Cupido by Anselmo ralph. That album is a classic in Angola till this day. Now, as far as hip hop goes it was Renascimento do Tubarão by Sandocan. That album is classic back in 2010.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Love Yours by J Cole. The meaning that song has is truly unmeasurable. If every person lived their lives based on the meaning of this song, the world would be a better place. “No such thing as a life that is better than yours” by J Cole, that phrase right there says it all, do not compare your life to those who have a better life than yours to feel unaccomplished, nor those with a worse life than to grant yourself. Live your life because it is yours, your experiences are unique, your downfalls and your wins are unique to you only so embrace every moment and be happy. That is one song I wish I had written as it means so much to me.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I do not have a ritual but I always listen to the beat first. I write based on how the beat makes me feel unless I already have an idea on what to write then I look for the beat that will match that energy. I am big on writing alone in my bedroom, I have been doing this for 11 years so the bedroom became my private space to compose as I can be vulnerable in those walls. I do write songs in English and Portuguese so if I do not have a hook in one language already, I need to decide the language to write on and is always based on the audience that needs to hear this message.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I am currently listening to Giggs, an icon in the UK music scene, to study his unique flow, I love his sound. Kendrick’s latest album has always been on repeat because of 2 specific songs Count Me out and Saviour. Saviour for example, is a song where he humanises himself to his listeners who think he is perfect and is here to save the music industry. I think this reflection is based on what his old album “To Pimp A Butterfly” made my world feel. He is stating that he also gets mad and also hides from the world to protect his piece. My latest single “God Bless The kid” does not speak about that but has the element of vulnerability too where I speak briefly about where I come from, the ghetto I grew up in is a relatable statement to those who came from similar upbrings in other words we are all the same.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
That is a tough one, I have 2 for different reasons. I will say J Cole because I love what he represents, and I feel backstage chats would be full of wisdom. I love Drake, his music and audience, we have similar sound and once again backstage chats would be interesting. From Drake would possibly be how he keeps himself sain while remaining at the top of the charts. I know I would deliver in terms of my performance, the crowd would go crazy.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
People texting me and telling me how my music has impacted their lives in a positive way is the most rewarding part of it. That is the reason why I do music. There is a Portuguese song I put out on Soundcloud in 2021 named “Luz” which means light is one that pops up in my mind now as people constantly tell how that song motivates them as the song is about my journey on going after my light to shine.
And what is the most frustrating part?
It is that you need to make business decisions to establish your career. That means aside from composing you need to study the market or pay for people with knowledge in it to work with you. It drains your mental energy specially because you invest a lot before you start making any funds back. As an Angolan there is constant conflict with parents as they do not understand the journey and your dreams as an artist, they want you to get a job. But, if it was easy as well everybody would be doing it so I think that is upside to every drawback.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best piece of advice was contradictory, and I find it funny. My brother has always been one of my biggest supporters on my craft and he once told me to not swear on songs and to be personal, make songs with meaning and that stuck with me. Until I put out my 2nd mixtape named “100o” and at the time I spoke about my cousin's journey of being in jail, my brother becoming a father and how upset I was with my dad because he did not want me to do music. My brother heard the mixtape and told me that maybe I am being a little too personal, so I found that funny. I am still very personal on my songs as it is the only way I have to express myself.
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Yilly Ruel's new single 'God Bless The Kid' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.