Yak Ballz
Encyclopedia
Yak Ballz, born Yashar Zadeh is an American independent hip hop
artist, who was brought up in Flushing, Queens
, New York
. He is one of the original members of The Weathermen
. He is also a member of Cardboard City.
. He was inspired by Cost, Revs, Uend, and his TCK (True City Killers) brethren. Yak turned to writing as an outlet for expression and a form of therapy due to his mother being overprotective about their neighborhood in Queens at the time. Thanks to his best friend’s older brother, Vaz (of 89.9-FM WKCR
’s legendary “Night Train” hip-hop show), while in high school Yak landed a gig interning at Bobbito Garcia
’s Footwork store in downtown Manhattan where he saw a myriad of flyers promoting Hip Hop shows all over the city. At the age of 16 he entered the Braggin’ Rites MC battle; he took second place and was the youngest person in the competition. Yak would go on to achieve first runner-up honors two more times after that, but more importantly, the aspiring MC grabbed the attention of several interested people in attendance, including Armando “Mondee” Torres and Brett Scott, who approached Vaz about getting Yak to appear on their new mixtape. At the urging of Vaz, the MC agreed to work with Mondee. This would lead to a lasting music relationship.
, world renown radio personality known for breaking records and introducing new talent in New York City during the Indie Hip Hop boom in the mid to late 90’s, liked Yak’s demo, Flossin’, so much that he put it in rotation on his CM Famalam show on 89.9-FM WKCR
in New York. He later invited Yak to appear on the show in 1998. After a few impressive appearances on WKCR
, and Flossin’ gaining regular rotation, Bobbito approached Yak about some new original music. Yak's lyrics caught the attention of Cage, who was impressed enough to reach out to him; making him an original member of The Weathermen
.
.Vinyl specialty stores and Web sites quickly sold out of the three-song 12-inch that featured cover art by TCK brother Ewok One 5MH. El-P even included The Freak Show on 2002’s Definitive Jux Presents 2 compilation album.
, then home to fellow Weathermen; Cage and Tame One
, heard of this single they moved to sign Yak to an album deal. After working on The Weathermen
’s Conspiracy mixtape (2003) Yak Ballz released his first album, My Claim
in 2004 with guest appearances from both Cage and Tame One
. He worked with producer Mondee for production and engineer Joe Raia. His lyrical content on My Claim
was fueled by his Queens life and college experiences. After leaving Eastern Conference, Yak put out a mixtape in 2005, The Missing Cassettes consisting of rare and unreleased material.
on FloSpot Records in conjunction with Scifen Clothing. Scifentology II
features production from the likes of Aesop Rock
, the late Camu Tao
, Mondee, Chapter 7, Adept, and Chris Maestro TCK. It also has guest appearances from Cage, Tame One
and Slow Suicide Stimulus. The album is packed tight with cathartic rhymes of grit, wit, shuddering images, and has received critical acclaim . Ewok One 5MH, premier urban artist and senior designer for Scifen clothing, also designed Scifentology IIs full-color cover. Feb 2009, “Dirt Empire,” produced by Aesop Rock, won the MTVu Best Freshman Video with over 40,000 views.
called 'Gas Galaxy', due out on Definitive Jux sometime in fall of 2009. Yak has performed the title song in support of Cage's Depart From Me tour. Yak is a graduate from New Paltz State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
artist, who was brought up in Flushing, Queens
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is one of the original members of The Weathermen
The Weathermen (hip hop group)
The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
. He is also a member of Cardboard City.
Early life
In his youth, Yak spent a lot of his time using his imagination and creativity to draw and paint. He became enamored with the rebel art of graffitiGraffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
. He was inspired by Cost, Revs, Uend, and his TCK (True City Killers) brethren. Yak turned to writing as an outlet for expression and a form of therapy due to his mother being overprotective about their neighborhood in Queens at the time. Thanks to his best friend’s older brother, Vaz (of 89.9-FM WKCR
WKCR
WKCR-FM is a radio station. Licensed to New York, New York, USA, it serves the New York area. The station is currently owned by Trustees of Columbia University in New York.-History:...
’s legendary “Night Train” hip-hop show), while in high school Yak landed a gig interning at Bobbito Garcia
Bobbito Garcia
Robert "Bobbito" García , also known as Kool Bob Love and formerly known as DJ Cucumberslice, Bobbito The Barber, Make It Happen, Boogie Bob, Soul Food Bob, and Bag of Tricks, is a Puerto Rican DJ, writer, entrepreneur, streetball player/coach/announcer, sneaker connoisseur, and member of the Rock...
’s Footwork store in downtown Manhattan where he saw a myriad of flyers promoting Hip Hop shows all over the city. At the age of 16 he entered the Braggin’ Rites MC battle; he took second place and was the youngest person in the competition. Yak would go on to achieve first runner-up honors two more times after that, but more importantly, the aspiring MC grabbed the attention of several interested people in attendance, including Armando “Mondee” Torres and Brett Scott, who approached Vaz about getting Yak to appear on their new mixtape. At the urging of Vaz, the MC agreed to work with Mondee. This would lead to a lasting music relationship.
Breaking Out
Bobbito GarciaBobbito Garcia
Robert "Bobbito" García , also known as Kool Bob Love and formerly known as DJ Cucumberslice, Bobbito The Barber, Make It Happen, Boogie Bob, Soul Food Bob, and Bag of Tricks, is a Puerto Rican DJ, writer, entrepreneur, streetball player/coach/announcer, sneaker connoisseur, and member of the Rock...
, world renown radio personality known for breaking records and introducing new talent in New York City during the Indie Hip Hop boom in the mid to late 90’s, liked Yak’s demo, Flossin’, so much that he put it in rotation on his CM Famalam show on 89.9-FM WKCR
WKCR
WKCR-FM is a radio station. Licensed to New York, New York, USA, it serves the New York area. The station is currently owned by Trustees of Columbia University in New York.-History:...
in New York. He later invited Yak to appear on the show in 1998. After a few impressive appearances on WKCR
WKCR
WKCR-FM is a radio station. Licensed to New York, New York, USA, it serves the New York area. The station is currently owned by Trustees of Columbia University in New York.-History:...
, and Flossin’ gaining regular rotation, Bobbito approached Yak about some new original music. Yak's lyrics caught the attention of Cage, who was impressed enough to reach out to him; making him an original member of The Weathermen
The Weathermen (hip hop group)
The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
.
Followup Releases
Soon after, Yak released his first 12-inch, Homepiss in 2000, courtesy of Bobbito and his Fondle’em label. His 4-song EP was released featuring Flossin, The Plague, Nasty or Nice, and Homepiss.The Freakshow
In 2001, Yak followed up the EP with a stand-out 3 song vinyl 12-inch, The Freakshow, which was one of the first ever 12-inch releases by the indie Hip Hop label Definitive JuxDefinitive Jux
Definitive Jux is an independent record label based in New York City, United States. It was co-founded in 1999 by Jaime Meline and Amaechi Uzoigwe. The label was initially known simply as Def Jux, but in 2001, popular hip hop label Def Jam Recordings sued Def Jux over the name similarity...
.Vinyl specialty stores and Web sites quickly sold out of the three-song 12-inch that featured cover art by TCK brother Ewok One 5MH. El-P even included The Freak Show on 2002’s Definitive Jux Presents 2 compilation album.
While You Where Sleeping
In 2003, he released While You Were Sleeping b/w The Drill 12-inch with Traffic Entertainment. Once Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records
Eastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
, then home to fellow Weathermen; Cage and Tame One
Tame One
Rahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
, heard of this single they moved to sign Yak to an album deal. After working on The Weathermen
The Weathermen (hip hop group)
The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
’s Conspiracy mixtape (2003) Yak Ballz released his first album, My Claim
My Claim
My Claim is the debut solo album by American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz. It was released on Feb 23, 2004 on Eastern Conference Records, with guest appearances from both Cage and Tame One.-Track listing:...
in 2004 with guest appearances from both Cage and Tame One
Tame One
Rahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
. He worked with producer Mondee for production and engineer Joe Raia. His lyrical content on My Claim
My Claim
My Claim is the debut solo album by American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz. It was released on Feb 23, 2004 on Eastern Conference Records, with guest appearances from both Cage and Tame One.-Track listing:...
was fueled by his Queens life and college experiences. After leaving Eastern Conference, Yak put out a mixtape in 2005, The Missing Cassettes consisting of rare and unreleased material.
Scifentology
In 2006 he released Scifentology, a mixtape put out by Yak himself and Scifen clothing company which features cover art by Ewok One 5MH. Yak’s lyrics became more introspective and the beats changed on Scifentology by relying more on rock and synthesized instrumentation . The mixtape started as an innocent idea and promotional tool to help cross-market Yak with the Scifen clothing brand, but it quickly became one of the most talked-about mixtapes of the year within the indie Hip Hop world in ‘06 .Scifentology II
January 2008, Yak released his sophomore effort, Scifentology IIScifentology II
Scifentology II is American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz’s second full-length album. It features production from Aesop Rock, Mondee, the late Camu Tao, Chapter 7, Adept and Chris Maestro. Guest features include Cage, Tame One, Peter Toh, Thomas Phenomas and Slow Suicide Stimulus. Full color art work...
on FloSpot Records in conjunction with Scifen Clothing. Scifentology II
Scifentology II
Scifentology II is American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz’s second full-length album. It features production from Aesop Rock, Mondee, the late Camu Tao, Chapter 7, Adept and Chris Maestro. Guest features include Cage, Tame One, Peter Toh, Thomas Phenomas and Slow Suicide Stimulus. Full color art work...
features production from the likes of Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock
Ian Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
, the late Camu Tao
Camu Tao
Camu Tao was an American rapper and producer who was signed to the Definitive Jux label. He was a member of several groups: S.A...
, Mondee, Chapter 7, Adept, and Chris Maestro TCK. It also has guest appearances from Cage, Tame One
Tame One
Rahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
and Slow Suicide Stimulus. The album is packed tight with cathartic rhymes of grit, wit, shuddering images, and has received critical acclaim . Ewok One 5MH, premier urban artist and senior designer for Scifen clothing, also designed Scifentology IIs full-color cover. Feb 2009, “Dirt Empire,” produced by Aesop Rock, won the MTVu Best Freshman Video with over 40,000 views.
Current Work and Education
Currently, Yak is working on a extended playExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
called 'Gas Galaxy', due out on Definitive Jux sometime in fall of 2009. Yak has performed the title song in support of Cage's Depart From Me tour. Yak is a graduate from New Paltz State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.
Albums
- My ClaimMy ClaimMy Claim is the debut solo album by American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz. It was released on Feb 23, 2004 on Eastern Conference Records, with guest appearances from both Cage and Tame One.-Track listing:...
(Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
/Caroline - 2004)+ - Scifentology I (Scifen Records - 2006)
- Scifentology IIScifentology IIScifentology II is American Hip hop artist Yak Ballz’s second full-length album. It features production from Aesop Rock, Mondee, the late Camu Tao, Chapter 7, Adept and Chris Maestro. Guest features include Cage, Tame One, Peter Toh, Thomas Phenomas and Slow Suicide Stimulus. Full color art work...
(FloSpot Records- 2008) - "onomatopoeia" featuring Johnny 5
12 Inch Releases
- "Homepiss" / "Nasty or Nice" b/w "The Plague" / "Flossin" (Fondle'em Records - 2000)
- "The Freakshow" b/w "For the Critics"/ "Reign" (Definitive Jux Records - 2001)
- "The Drill" b/w "While You Were Sleeping" (Jersey Roots Entertainment/Traffic - 2003)
Compilations
- “Flossin” - Farewell Fondle'em (Definitive Jux Records - 2001)
- "The Freakshow" Definitive Jux Presents II (Definitive Jux Records – 2002)
- "5 Left In the Clip" with The WeathermenThe Weathermen (hip hop group)The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
- Eastern Conference Allstars III (Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
- 2003) - "Let the Games Begin" feat. Vast AireVast AireVast Aire is a rapper from New York City. He is one half of the New York hip hop duo Cannibal Ox, which consists of him and fellow rapper Vordul Mega. He is also a member of the rap group Atoms Family...
- Eastern Conference Allstars IV (Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
- 2004)
Appears On
- 2003: "5 Left in The Clip" b/w "5 Left in The Clip Remix" 12-inch from The WeathermenThe Weathermen (hip hop group)The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
album (Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
) - 2004: "Got Wet?" from the Leak Bros (Cage and Tame OneTame OneRahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
) album WaterworldWaterworld (Leak Bros. album)Waterworld is a 2004 album by the Leak Bros. The Leak Bros. is a rap duo composed of underground rappers Cage Kennylz and Tame One. Every song on Waterworld is about the drug PCP....
(Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
) - 2004: "High Fidelity" from the Tame OneTame OneRahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
album "O.G. Bobby Johnson" (Eastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference RecordsEastern Conference Records is an independent record label based in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by DJ Mighty Mi, the DJ/producer for the High & Mighty....
) - 2005: "Get Da Duh" 12-Inch Kosha Dillz (Matza 4 Yo’ Mouf Records)
- 2005: "Left It To Us" from the Cage album Hell's WinterHell's WinterHell's Winter is the second full-length album by American hip hop artist Cage and his first for the Definitive Jux label. It was released on September 20, 2005 and received very favorable reviews, including a spot in Rhapsody's list of "The 10 Best Albums By White Rappers".This is the first Cage...
feat. The WeathermenThe Weathermen (hip hop group)The Weathermen, is a New York City-based, underground hip-hop supergroup consisting of Aesop Rock, Tame One, Cage, Yak Ballz, El-P, and Breeze Brewin. The group took its name from the revolutionary organization Weatherman, and sometimes refers to itself as the "New Left"...
(Aesop RockAesop RockIan Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
, El-P, Tame OneTame OneRahem Brown, better known by his stage name, Tame One, is an underground rapper from New Jersey currently signed to the label Amalgam Digital. He was part of Artifacts, a popular rap duo with El Da Sensei. Which is rumored to be getting back together. He is also known for his collaboration with...
, Cage, Yak Ballz) (Definitive Jux Records) - 2006: "Antidote" from the Slow Suicide Stimulus album Slow Suicide Stimulus (FloSpot Records)
- 2006: "Say Cheese" from the Slow Suicide Stimulus album Slow Suicide Stimulus (FloSpot Records)
- 2009: “The Baskervilles (AmpLive Die Hard Remix)” from the Fight Night Round 4 Soundtrack feat Aesop RockAesop RockIan Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
and Yak Ballz - 2009: "Corruption As Usual" and "Chromatics (CCM)" from the Chapter 7 album "The Color Scheme"