It’s February, a new month and a new interview. As promised we’re featuring more Bahamian artists and this month we have two, Ashton Newbold a.k.a. Lynkx and Yuri Butler a.k.a Yu-Ray. Both are aspiring hip-hop artists. With this interview they gave us a taste of what’s to come from them, a hot track entitled “242 Town”. I’ll be honest i did not know what to expect but the instrumental alone on this song has me interested.

To learn more about these talented artists, you can find both Yu-Ray and Lynkx on MySpace.

How long have you been in the rap game?

Yu-Ray:

About 5 and a half years now.

Lynkx:

Well, I’ve been writing for a long time, maybe like 8 years but I actually started recording on professional equipment in the last 6 years.

What inspired you to get involved in music?

Lynkx:

It started off as kind of a bored thing for me. I got bored SO I wrote music… especially during Physics classes in High school. Back then it wasn’t that serious but as time passed I got a little more serious with it. I liked the word play especially, listening to people like Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Ludacris and Jay Z really influenced me a lot too.

Yu-ray:

Well honestly I was going through some tough emotional times (relationship wise) and so I decided to write all my problems down and one day I got a brillant idea to put my words to a beat {lol} and I fell in love instantly… Now I wont lie my rhymes at that time were not the best BUT just the feeling of hearing my word in rhythm over a beat, I knew music was for me and that I should persue it more.

Now Lynkx, the song “242 Town”, we gather, is about Bahamian vibes, what inspired the track?

Lynkx:

Well I always wanted a 242 anthem or themed song, something I can rep my town with. So I came up with the beat that’s somewhat laid back but it was like a cruising beat, you know sumth u could just cruise to in your car… I dont know but listening to the beat initially I just kept seeing the Bahamian flag and the sun rising, if u can picture that like i did and it clicked. Came up with the chorus, called up my boy Yu-Ray and BAM! we went from there.

So, Yu-Ray, you’re featured on the track, how did you enjoy the experience?

Yu-Ray:

It was fun, felt like old times, Ashton and I go way back from grade 7 to be exact. But this isn’t our first song at all, we have tons of others. We were not able to do a song in a minute so it’s good to know when we both get back in the booth we still make hits and it was a song bigging up the best place in the world The Bahamas, where I’m from so it was a pleasure.

What have you been up to lately, particularly concentrating on your music?

Lynkx:

Lately I’ve been focusing more on my beats, tryna improve on that every day but I’m still writing too. I have a lot of ideas im working on also.

Yu-Ray:

Well I just moved to Freeport to take a new job, so I’m tryin to balance work and music. But I have my own studio over here and I’ve got a pretty good name as a music engineer so lots of ppl come to me do to there songs and mix them down.

Taking a look at the Bahamian music industry, how do you differ from other Bahamian artists?

Yu-Ray:

I believe my sound is unique… I find a lot of Bahamian artists (not all) try to sound like some one else and I think that limits you. In my opinion only you can sound like you… so just do you! Also what sets me apart is the fact that I take risks, I try new things, my goal is to never get comformtable with one style or genre I want to do it all. Shucks if a country song pops in my head and I think the idea is hot I’m going to go for it {lol}.

Lynkx, what are your plans for the future considering your music career and can we expect future collaborations with you and Yu-Ray in the future?

Lynkx:

Nothin is promised but I’m willing to do as much as I can, and that’s from providing beats for other artist, features, mixtapes. The sky is the limit. It would be great to see me on BET, Tempo or MTV reppin that 242 tho. Who knows, life is crazy and anythings possible.

{As for future collaborations with Yu-Ray)

Of course, that’s my boy. We will be working on more songs in the future.