:Yung L.A.

{{short description|American rapper from Georgia}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2016}}

{{Infobox musical artist

|name = Yung L.A.

|background = solo_singer

|image = Yung L.A. 2025.png

|caption = Yung L.A. in 2025

|birth_name = Leland Sandord Austin{{Cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/904430564 |title=ASCAP search |access-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206145055/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/904430564 |url-status=dead }}

|alias = Da Boi Lay

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|03|26}}

|birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia

|genre = Hip hop

|occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| label = {{hlist|Crush Da Block|Zaytown USA|U-Digg|Grand Hustle|Interscope}}

| website =

}}

Leland Sanford Austin (born March 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Yung L.A. or Da Boi Lay, is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for his debut single "Ain't I", which peaked at number 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number seven on Billboard{{'}}s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Austin's second single, titled "Futuristic Love (Elroy)", features American singer Ricco Barrino and was released in 2009.

Music career

=2008–2011: Mixtapes and ''Futuristic Leland''=

In 2008, Austin was signed to American record executive T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, after fellow Atlanta artist Young Dro found and brought Austin to the label. On April 12, 2008, Austin released his debut mixtape Offset Shawty.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/3003/yung_la_offset_shawty.html Yung LA – Offset Shawty – DJ Spinz]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On November 25, 2008, Austin released his debut single, titled "Ain't I"; it features appearances from his fellow Grand Hustle label artist Young Dro and T.I., it went on to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 47 and be certified platinum by the RIAA. On December 13, 2008, it was announced and confirmed that Austin had signed a label deal with Interscope Records and he was working on his debut album, titled Futuristic Leland.[http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/12/13/ti-grand-hustle-team-up-with-interscope-to-release-yung-las-debut/ T.I., Grand Hustle Team Up With Interscope To Release Yung LA's Debut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054016/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2008/12/13/ti-grand-hustle-team-up-with-interscope-to-release-yung-las-debut/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}. BallerStatus.com (December 13, 2008). Retrieved on 2016-02-13. On December 28, 2008, Austin released his mixtape titled The Matrix.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/3652/yung_la_the_matrix.html Yung L.A. – The Matrix – DJ Coolbreeze]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

On January 10, 2009, Austin released his first collaboration mixtape titled Black Boy Swag, White Boy Tags with Young Dro.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/3687/young_dro_yung_la_black_boy_swag_white_boy_tags.html Young Dro & Yung LA – Black Boy Swag, White Boy Tags – DJ Infamous]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On April 7, 2009, Austin released his second single titled "Futuristic Love (Elroy)"; it features Ricco Barrino, though it did not match the success of "Ain't I" it charted on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart at number 55. On June 2, 2009, Austin released his mixtape titled Lamborghini Leland.[http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Lamborghini-Leland-mixtape.48684.html Yung LA – Lamborghini Leland Hosted by Drama Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117134327/http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Lamborghini-Leland-mixtape.48684.html |date=January 17, 2015 }}. Datpiff.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/10378/yung_la_lamborghini_leland.html Yung L.A. – Lamborghini Leland – DJ Drama]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On November 5, 2009, Austin released his mixtape titled I Think I Can Sang.[http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-I-Think-I-Can-Sang-mixtape.76110.html Yung LA – I Think I Can Sang Hosted by Holiday Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107004011/http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-I-Think-I-Can-Sang-mixtape.76110.html |date=November 7, 2014 }}. Datpiff.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On December 14, 2009, Austin released his second collaboration mixtape, titled Batman & Robin (Superhero Language), with fellow Atlanta artist J Money aka J.Futuristic.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/10828/jfuturistic_yung_la_batman_robin.html J.Futuristic & Yung L.A. – Batman & Robin (Superhero Language) – DJ Spinz]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

On February 24, 2010, Austin released his mixtape titled Crush Da Block.[http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Crush-Da-Block-mixtape.100843.html Yung LA – Crush Da Block Hosted by DJ Infamous & Don Cannon Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129045155/http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Crush-Da-Block-mixtape.100843.html |date=January 29, 2015 }}. Datpiff.com (February 24, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/11379/yung_la_crush_da_block.html Yung L.A. – Crush Da Block – DJ Infamous, DJ Don Cannon]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On February 24, 2010, Austin released his mixtape titled Suntrust Leland.[http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Suntrust-Leland-mixtape.146941.html Yung LA – Suntrust Leland Hosted by Dj Smallz Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107011433/http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Suntrust-Leland-mixtape.146941.html |date=November 7, 2014 }}. Datpiff.com (August 25, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.Kerry, Steve. (August 25, 2010) [http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/yung-l-a-suntrust-leland-hosted-by-dj-smallz-mixtape.2904.html Yung L.A. – Suntrust Leland (Hosted By DJ Smallz) | Download & Listen [New Mixtape]]. Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved on 2016-02-13.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/12182/yung_la_suntrust_leland.html Yung L.A. – Suntrust Leland – DJ Smallz]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

In early 2011 it was revealed that Austin had parted ways from Grand Hustle and was dropped from Interscope. It was also the shelving of his debut album Futuristic Leland. On September 16, 2011, Austin released his mixtape titled Crush Da Block 2.[http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Crush-Da-Block-2-mixtape.262894.html Yung LA – Crush Da Block 2 Hosted by DJ P Exclusivez Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106222847/http://www.datpiff.com/Yung-LA-Crush-Da-Block-2-mixtape.262894.html |date=November 6, 2014 }}. Datpiff.com (September 16, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.

=2012: ''Check''=

In a March 27, 2012, interview Austin said he was "dropped from Interscope because my [second] single didn't match the success of the first one". He also said that he wished to leave Grand Hustle Records, that the label had failed him professionally by not following up his hit "Ain't I" with the release of his album, and failed him personally by ignoring him when he was hurt and had asked for their help and by entangling him in disputes that didn't involve him and had begun before he joined the label.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV9j1aPW_K4 Yung LA Speaks Out On Alley Boy Fight, Walking Away From Grand Hustle Because Of Beef]. YouTube (March 27, 2012). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.[http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh08WjWH8qS0pV0YIs Yung LA Speaks Out On Alley Boy Fight, Getting Dropped From Interscope, Walking Away From Grand Hustle Because Of Beef, & More! | New Video]. Worldstarhiphop.com (March 27, 2012). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.[http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2011/02/yung-la-explains-face-tattoo/ Yung LA Explains Face Tattoo – XXL]. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

On November 27, 2012, Austin released his debut album titled Check; it was distributed by independent Atlanta based record label U-Digg Music Group.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150406090258/http://www.mtv.com/artists/yung-la/discography/3000934/ Check by Yung L.A.]. MTV (January 29, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.

=2014–present: name change, mixtapes and ''TBA'' album=

On November 19, 2014, Austin released his third collaboration mixtape titled Batman & Robin 2 (Superhero Language) with fellow Atlanta artist J Money which is a sequel to their first collaboration mixtape Batman & Robin (Superhero Language).[http://www.datpiff.com/J-Money-Yung-LA-Batman-Robin-2-superhero-Language-mixtape.666943.html J Money & Yung LA – Batman & Robin 2 (superhero Language) Hosted by DJ E.Sudd, DJ Jay Rock & DJ Plugg Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327133350/http://www.datpiff.com/J-Money-Yung-LA-Batman-Robin-2-superhero-Language-mixtape.666943.html |date=March 27, 2015 }}. Datpiff.com (November 19, 2014). Retrieved on February 13, 2016.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/30939/j-money-yung-la-batman-robin-2.html J Money & Yung L.A. – Batman & Robin 2 (Superhero Language) – DJ E.Sudd, DJ Jay Rock, DJ Plugg]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

On February 5, 2015, it was revealed that Yung L.A. was working on a new mixtape titled Expensive Language.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNbJAO4rds Yung L.A. – Leland Austin – Mixtape (new)]. YouTube (February 5, 2015). Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On March 27, 2015, Austin released his mixtape Expensive Language.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/33300/da-boi-lay-expensive-language.html Yung L.A. – Expensive Language – DJ P Exclusivez]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. Also on March 27, 2015, during an interview, Austin revealed that he had signed to record producer Zaytoven's label Zaytown USA.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85IyxF-0JuQ Da Boi Lay (Yung LA) #ExpensiveLanguage Interview]. YouTube (March 27, 2015). Retrieved on February 13, 2016. On August 7, 2015, Austin released a collaboration mixtape with the production team 808 Mafia titled 3 Way: 80Lay Mafia,[http://www.datpiff.com/Da-Boi-Lay-Yung-LA-3-Way-80Lay-Mafia-mixtape.727161.html Da Boi Lay (Yung LA) – 3 Way: 80Lay Mafia Hosted by DJ P Exclusivez Mixtape – Stream & Download] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813221139/http://www.datpiff.com/Da-Boi-Lay-Yung-LA-3-Way-80Lay-Mafia-mixtape.727161.html |date=August 13, 2015 }}. Datpiff.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/35603/da-boi-lay-3-way.html Da Boi Lay – 3 Way (80Lay Mafia) – DJ P Exclusivez]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. and a second collaboration mixtape with producer's Zaytoven and Cassius Jay titled 3 Way: Dripset.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/35591/da-boi-lay-3-way.html Da Boi Lay – 3 Way (Dripset) – DJ P Exclusivez]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. Also on August 7, 2015, Austin released a third mixtape titled 3 Way: Foreign Water.[http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/35560/da-boi-lay-3-way.html Da Boi Lay – 3 Way (Foreign Water) – DJ P Exclusivez]. Livemixtapes.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.

Controversy

In February 2011 Austin had the logo of a local record label tattooed on his face after a conversation with the label's CEO Big Bank Black. Black's brother Alley Boy, the label's co-CEO, demanded that Austin remove the tattoo because he wasn't signed to the label and wasn't given permission to use the logo.[http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2011/02/alley-boy-speaks-on-yung-las-face-tattoo/ Alley Boy Speaks on Yung LA’s Face Tattoo – XXL]. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. Austin countered that Alley Boy lacked the authority to make such a demand because Big Bank Black, not Alley Boy, was "the real CEO" of the label. He did though have a Los Angeles Dodgers logo tattooed over it two weeks later.[https://archive.today/20150309100715/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2011/03/09/yung-la-covers-up-duck-tattoo-says-real-ns-do-real-sh/ Yung LA Covers Up Duck Tattoo, Says 'Real N****s Do Real Sh**']. BallerStatus.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. Austin was set up and viciously assaulted by Alley Boy and members of his label; whether he was beaten before covering the tattoo or after wasn't known.{{cite web |title=Yung LA Catches Beat Down At Hands Of Alley Boy |url=https://www.ballerstatus.com/2011/04/19/yung-la-catches-beat-down-at-hands-of-alley-boy-for-tough-talk-duck-tattoo/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130622122354/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2011/04/19/yung-la-catches-beat-down-at-hands-of-alley-boy-for-tough-talk-duck-tattoo/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |date=2011-04-19 |website=BallerStatus.com |access-date=2021-09-24 }}

In April 2011, Austin was arrested for criminal damage to property and released on bail.[http://hiphopwired.com/2011/04/25/yung-l-a-arrested/ Yung L.A. Arrested]. Hip-Hop Wired (April 25, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.

Discography

{{Main|Yung L.A. discography}}

  • Check (2012)

Awards

= BET Awards =

  • 2009
  • Best Collaboration for "Ain't I" (Nominated){{Cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/Specials/betawards09/betawards09_nominees/betawards09_nominees_bestcollaboration.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished&Referrer={8952391D-B74E-4B69-87D9-C7F68BFF0A06}|title=Best Collaboration|Nominees}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}