Leland Sanford Austin (born March 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Yung L.A., is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for his 2008 single "Ain't I" (featuring Young Dro and T.I.), which peaked at number 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its 2009 follow-up, "Futuristic Love (Elroy)" (featuring Ricco Barrino), entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Music career
2008–2011: Mixtapes and Futuristic Leland In 2008, Austin was signed to American rapper and 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.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.T.I., Grand Hustle Team Up With Interscope To Release Yung LA's Debut . BallerStatus.com (December 13, 2008). Retrieved on 2016-02-13. On December 28, 2008, Austin released his mixtape titled The Matrix.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.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.Yung LA – Lamborghini Leland Hosted by Drama Mixtape – Stream & Download . Datpiff.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.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.Yung LA – I Think I Can Sang Hosted by Holiday Mixtape – Stream & Download . 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.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.Yung LA – Crush Da Block Hosted by DJ Infamous & Don Cannon Mixtape – Stream & Download . Datpiff.com (February 24, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.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.Yung LA – Suntrust Leland Hosted by Dj Smallz Mixtape – Stream & Download . Datpiff.com (August 25, 2010). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.Kerry, Steve. (August 25, 2010) Yung L.A. – Suntrust Leland (Hosted By DJ Smallz) | Download & Listen [New Mixtape]. Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved on 2016-02-13.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.Yung LA – Crush Da Block 2 Hosted by DJ P Exclusivez Mixtape – Stream & Download . 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.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.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.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.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).J Money & Yung LA – Batman & Robin 2 (superhero Language) Hosted by DJ E.Sudd, DJ Jay Rock & DJ Plugg Mixtape – Stream & Download . Datpiff.com (November 19, 2014). Retrieved on February 13, 2016.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.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.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. 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,Da Boi Lay (Yung LA) – 3 Way: 80Lay Mafia Hosted by DJ P Exclusivez Mixtape – Stream & Download . Datpiff.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016.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.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.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.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.. BallerStatus.com. Retrieved on February 13, 2016. Austin was assaulted by Alley Boy and members of his label; whether he was beaten before covering the tattoo or after wasn't known.
In April 2011, Austin was arrested for criminal damage to property and released on bail.Yung L.A. Arrested. Hip-Hop Wired (April 25, 2011). Retrieved on 2016-02-13.
Discography
Check (2012)
Awards
BET Awards 2009 Best Collaboration for "Ain't I" (Nominated)
References
External links
/ Rich Niggaz music video