On his debut album, Youngn Lipz welcomes listeners into his past, present, and future. Across 15 tracks, the artist of Pacific Islander descent shares stories of his difficult upbringing in Western Sydney, Australia, the hurdles he’s jumped to reach where he is now, and all the success he’s enjoyed while rising to national attention. His home life—family, friends, the streets he grew up on—forms much of the basis of the album, which is named after a slang term for his neighborhood, as well as his journey as a whole. “I’m not in love, but I got love for the streets,” he sings on the title track, his voice smoky and melodic, resting over late-night R&B production and a soulful guitar sample. It’s an evocative sound that carries throughout the record, adding depth and feeling to even the hardest tracks. Though he’s often celebrating his successes, money, and women, he’s also reflective. Below, he reflects on some of Area Baby’s highlights.
“Area Baby”
“Straight out, I couldn’t think of a better way to open my debut album than with this song. Not only is it the title track, but it captures the overall vibe I’m expressing in the project. The beat knocks, and the lyrics describe my story and come-up, touching on a few of the things I’ve had to overcome to get where I’m going. The overall mood is menacing but also uplifting. It’s a head-bopper.”
“Visions”
“One of my favorite songs off the album, and one of the first songs I ever wrote and recorded. I remember making this song around the same time as ‘Misunderstood,’ so I’ve been sitting on this one for a while—but the fact I’m still feeling it should tell you a lot about it. ‘Visions’ captures my ambitions, how I carry myself, and should tell you how far I’m willing to go to make my dreams a reality.”
“Falcons”
“A big part of this project, for me, is telling my story and my beginnings—and the ways I’ve had to overcome some of them. Can’t expect people to fully understand where I’m trying to take it without them understanding where I came from. That’s why it’s called Area Baby, after all. ‘Now I’m on a new journey, trying to find my way to peace.’”
“No Love”
“‘No Love’ picks up right where ‘Falcons’ left off, giving people an idea of what it’s like in my area, my ends. ‘Ain’t no love in the street/Back then we was starving to eat/I was down at the bottom of the reef/I was on the road and you were still asleep.’ When I’m talking about my hunger, it’s not only about needing to eat to survive. It’s also related to my state of mind.”
“Stuck”
“‘Stuck’ is an example of where I’m not only telling my story, but the story of other people who’ve come up from similar or relatable situations. It’s about fighting your demons, overcoming obstacles, and shaking off negative things in life which can weigh you down. I’m not glossing over things I’ve had to do to survive. I’m giving you the whole picture, right or wrong, and I’m focused on moving forward, not my past.”
“Before”
“‘Things really get ugly when you born and bred up on the streets/Only speak the truth, you’ll never find a fraud in me.’ That lyric pretty much sums it up.”
“Broken Home”
“This song is one of the hardest but easiest tracks I’ve written, and the one I’m most proud of. Before this song came out, I hadn’t really put my own personal experiences about my family into my music. Making this song required me to be more vulnerable than I have before. But to see the way that people have reacted to it and connected with it, it’s reminded me of why it’s so powerful. It’s not just my story, it’s a universal story. It’s not just about focusing on the negative things from the past, it’s about looking towards the future with faith.”
“Restart”
“This one is just big vibes. It takes me back to where it started, singing and freestyling with my boys playing guitar. So, to be able to take those laidback guitar vibes and turn them into one of my standout songs from the album is a blessing. I think this is one that people are going to love. This is a whole story within itself.”
“Spaceship”
“When we were making this album, I had a writing camp with a bunch of producers. We rented a mansion on the coast that was surrounded by beaches and converted it into a studio for a week. It was my first time doing something like this and it was a hectic experience—definitely something I’ll do again. ‘Spaceship’ came from that camp, and it’s been mad to see how much it’s connected with people.”
“Misunderstood Pt. 2” (feat. M Huncho)
“I wasn’t too sure about remixing this one until I knew who wanted to jump on it. To bring back my debut single, and add that sauce on it for 2021, we knew we had to do something special. I’m a big fan of the UK scene, so it was an honor to be connected with the legendary M Huncho for this one. Straight out, we linked up over mutual respect and made ‘Pt. 2’ happen. It’s very special to me, so adding this new chapter to the song only makes it that much better.”