Q: Toronto has always had talent, but your sound feels different. How would you describe what you bring to the city?
Young Hadene: Toronto definitely has a strong scene, but I wanted to bring something that reflects all sides of who I am. I mix that street energy from the city with my Haitian roots, so the sound feels real to me but also bigger than just one place. It’s local and global at the same time.
Q: Who inspired you to take that honest approach in your music?
Young Hadene: Tupac was a big influence on me. The way he spoke on real life—pain, love, struggle—it wasn’t sugarcoated. That’s the energy I try to bring. I’m not here to fake anything. I talk about what I’ve lived and what people around me go through every day.
Q: One thing people notice about you is how independent you are. How important is that to your journey?
Young Hadene: That’s everything. I record my own music, I make the masters, I shoot my own videos. There’s no big team behind me, no waiting around. If I want something done, I do it myself. That independence isn’t just how I work—it’s who I am.
Q: Your music touches on some heavy topics. What drives you to speak on things like mental health and struggle?
Young Hadene: Because it’s real. A lot of people are dealing with things they don’t talk about. Mental health, family pressure, trying to make it out of tough situations—that’s everyday life for a lot of us. I’d rather face those truths head-on and turn them into something people can connect with.
Q: Tell us about your latest project. What can listeners expect from it?
Young Hadene: The project is definitely inspired by Tupac’s storytelling, but I added my own flavor to it—my Haitian background, my Toronto experience. It’s fearless, it’s honest, and it’s personal. I want people to feel like they’re hearing real life, not just music.
Q: You’ve already built a strong following. How does it feel to see that growth?
Young Hadene: It means a lot. Over 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, millions of streams—it shows the work is paying off. And the collaborations helped too, working with artists like Bobby Shmurda, Steven Joe, and DJ Flip. But at the same time, I’m still focused on growing and getting better.
Q: With all that momentum, what keeps you grounded?
Young Hadene: The bigger picture. I’m not doing this just for fame. I’m doing it for my family, for my future. I stay locked in, I stay focused, and I block out distractions. Consistency and staying true to myself—that’s what’s going to take me where I need to go.
Q: Final message to your supporters?
Young Hadene: Just know I appreciate every single person listening and supporting. I’m going to keep going, keep building, and keep giving you the real.
Check out his latest work:
https://youtube.com/@young_hadene?si=mrav9UZawzH6m2h1
Follow on Instagram:
@younghadene
