Young M.A. performs on stage during the 50 Cent: The Final Lap tour at Barclays Center on August 10, 2023, in New York City. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
«"OOOUUU," Young MA returns with his first project in five years, Queen . It's also the first album she recorded completely sober, following past problems with alcohol that led to her hospitalization in 2023 for health problems related to excessive alcohol consumption.
«"There was a period in my life when I drank too much alcohol, and it had a significant impact on my physical condition. I was on the brink, very close to it," she said. Billboard .
Noting that she had managed to "overcome it," she explained how the experience of recording music sober changed the album-making process.
«"There's definitely a difference," she said. "You drink to relieve stress, and… you become more confident in what you're doing.".
«"When you're sober, you start to overthink things and hesitate a little more," she continued. "I think I used to be a little more aggressive. Now I feel more mature, grown-up, and disciplined.".
While some might call the new album a comeback, MA calls it a reboot. "I don't want people to think it's a comeback," she explained. "We had some small challenges, we overcame them, and now we're back on track.".
She added that her goal is to remind listeners of her musical talent and "bring music back into the world of music.".
«"I'm not looking for any achievements," she said. "I just want them to understand that music hasn't gone away.".
She added: "I just need music to be music again. Let's have fun again... Let's all add more energy.".
That's exactly what she did with her breakout single "OOOUUU," which remains a staple of her career to this day.
«"I'll always treasure that record. I'll never get tired of it. It still makes me a lot of money," she said. "It's timeless.".
«"People probably have one or two summers in a row, but I still listen to my album like it just came out," MA added. "It'll be here with the grandkids.".
The film "Queen"« is now available on streaming services.
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