YAARB bares his soul on debut tape ‘Letter 2 The Streets’

‘Letter 2 The Streets’ is a promising effort from independent artist YAARB.

YAARB is an independent artist who’s coming with the heat this summer.


His newest project Letter 2 The Streets is a compilation of stories and reflections on what it was like for him coming from where he’s from. While the 7-track tape’s subject matter is melancholic, YAARB’s delivery is so sincere about what he has seen and gone through that even if listeners are not from the same sort of background they connect and relate through a universal feeling: pain.
His artist name, which comes from his unique last name “Yaarbro,” is just one of the many things that sets this rising star apart. But, his experiences and upbringing have also played a role in his decision to pursue a music career. The Compton, California native may have grown up rough but he hasn’t let that hold him back from speaking about what he has gone through or how it has affected him.
“I’m passionate about music because a lot of us don’t know how to express our feelings ortalk. I believe music is the easiest way to do so,” YAARB stated during a recent interview. “Music is one of the ways I can be heard.”


A song that stands out on the project is the introspective “Meek Freestyle.” YAARB treats the beat like a vent session recounting life experiences such as being 13 and already hustling and apologizing to his mom for not going the path she saw for him. Despite the path he did choose, he is grateful it still worked out for them as he raps “I used to beg mama for it/now it’s paid for/ain’t it crazy we got everything that we prayed for?” because they’re now living a life with no worries. YAARB’s Anecdotes like this and on the outro track “Prayer From The Trenches” are such soulful and authentic expressions that make the project worth the listen.


While the main subject of the tape focuses on his own personal experiences, the overall message that YAARB wants audiences to take away is “that it’s okay to be yourself and love yourself” no matter their environment and circumstances.


Stream YAARB’s Letter 2 The Streets below.

2020 BET Awards winners list

Photo via CBS

The 2020 BET Awards kicked off on Sunday night with a virtual celebration. Amanda Seales hosted the the show, while artists such as Roddy Ricch, John Legend, Usher, and Megan Thee Stallion performed dynamic sets.


See who took home the gold at the award show:

BEST FEMALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Beyonce
H.E.R.
Jhene
Aiko Kehlani
Lizzo — WINNER
Summer Walker

BEST MALE R&B/POP ARTIST
Anderson .Paak
Chris Brown — WINNER
Jacquees Khalid The
Weeknd Usher

BEST GROUP
Chloe X Halle
City Girls
Earthgang
Griselda
Jackboys
Migos — WINNER

BEST COLLABORATION
Chris Brown Ft. Drake – “No Guidance” — WINNER
DJ Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher”
Future Ft. Drake – “Life Is Good”
H.E.R. Ft. YG – “Slide”
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – “Hot Girl Summer”
Wale Ft. Jeremih – “On Chill”

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DaBaby — WINNER
Drake
Future
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Travis Scott

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion — WINNER
Nicki Minaj
Saweetie

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Chris Brown Ft. Drake – “No Guidance”
DaBaby – “Bop”

DJ Khaled Ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend – “Higher” — WINNER
Doja Cat – “Say So”
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – “Hot Girl Summer”
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Benny Boom
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Director X
Eif Rivera
Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor — WINNER

BEST NEW ARTIST
Danileigh
Lil Nas X
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch — WINNER
Summer Walker
YBN Cordae

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Cuz I Love You  – Lizzo
Fever – Megan Thee Stallion
Homecoming: The Live Album – Beyonce
I Used to Know Her – H.E.R.
Kirk – DaBaby

Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch — WINNER
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Fred Hammond – “Alright”
John P. Kee Ft. Zacardi Cortez – “I Made It Out”
Kanye West – “Follow God”
Kirk Franklin – “Just For Me” — WINNER
Pj Morton Ft. Le’Andria Johnson & Mary Mary – “All In His Plan”
The Clark Sisters – “Victory”

BEST ACTRESS
Angela Bassett
Cynthia Erivo
Issa Rae — WINNER
Regina King
Tracee Ellis Ross
Zendaya

BEST ACTOR
Billy Porter
Eddie Murphy
Forest Whitaker
Jamie Foxx
Michael B. Jordan — WINNER
Omari Hardwick

YOUNGSTARS AWARD
Alex Hibbert
Asanta Blackk
Jahi Di’Allo Winston
Marsai Martin — WINNER
Miles Brown
Storm Reid

BEST MOVIE
Bad Boys For Life
Dolemite Is My Name
Harriet
Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce
Just Mercy
Queen & Slim — WINNER

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Ajee Wilson
Claressa Shields
Coco Gauff
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles — WINNER

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James — WINNER
Odell Beckham Jr.
Patrick Mahomes II
Stephen Curry

BET HER AWARD
Alicia Keys – “Underdog”
Beyonce Ft. Blue Ivy Carter, Wizkid & Saint Jhn – “Brown Skin Girl” — WINNER
Ciara Ft. Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La – “Melanin”
Layton Greene – “I Choose”
Lizzo Ft. Missy Elliott – “Tempo”
Rapsody Ft. PJ Morton – “Afeni”

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Chris Brown Ft. Drake – “No Guidance”
DaBaby – “Bop”
Future Ft. Drake  – “Life Is Good”
Megan Thee Stallion Ft. Nicki Minaj – “Hot Girl Summer” — WINNER
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
The Weeknd – “Heartless”

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Burna Boy (Nigeria) — WINNER
Innoss’B (DRC)
Sho Madjozi (South Africa)
Dave (U.K.)
Stormzy (U.K.)
Ninho (France)
S.Pri Noir (France)

VIEWER’S CHOICE: BEST NEW INTERNATIONAL ACT
Rema (Nigeria)
Sha Sha (Zimbabwe) — WINNER
Celeste (U.K.)
Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)
Hatik (France)
Sracy (France)