@skopemag – So how are you doing today and have any plans for summer 2025 in life and music?
I’m feeling amazing, thank you! This summer, I’m focused on making the best music I’ve ever made. That’s the mission. Everything else revolves around that.
@skopemag – Is Youstee your real name and how did you decide to use that name to represent your message and sound?
My real name is Iustin—pronounced the same as Youstee, just without the “n.” Growing up, the people closest to me—my family and even a high school crush—used to call me “Youstee.” That nickname stuck and felt meaningful. Now, it’s more than a name—it’s a connection to my roots and my sound.
@skopemag – Was music a big part of life growing up and are your friends and family supportive of your musical ambitions?
Absolutely. Music has always been in my home. My brother and I were classically trained from a young age, and we’ve had a piano in the house since I was two. My mom used to choreograph dances around town, and I’d often tag along to rehearsals. It’s always been a part of my world. My family’s support has been real and constant.
@skopemag – At what age and stage in life did you decide you wanted to pursue music as a possible career?
The spark hit when I was five years old at my first concert. That feeling never left. I never second-guessed it—I knew this was it for me.
@skopemag – What can you say is most challenging and also rewarding about being an artist in 2025?
The challenge? Making something that cuts through the noise. The reward? When someone connects with your music on such a deep level that they pause and go, “Whoa… what was that?” That connection is everything.
@skopemag – I am really loving your single “All I Need.” Give us background on where you wrote, recorded, and mastered that track.
Appreciate that! I made “All I Need” in my cozy bedroom. I truly believe the space you create in shapes the energy of the song. I wanted this one to feel beautiful and intimate—like a late-night conversation with someone you trust.
@skopemag – Speak on the lyrics to “All I Need” and is it based on your real life?
Yes—definitely rooted in personal experience. It’s about emotional dependence, and how deep connections—whether in love or friendship—can become addictive. Every little gesture becomes a form of emotional hypnosis. But ultimately, it’s also about learning to rely more on yourself than on external validation.
@skopemag – For those new to the music of Youstee, what 3 artists would you say you most compare to and was that intentional?
I don’t like to compare myself directly, but I’d say artists like Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, and The Weeknd have definitely influenced both my sound and aesthetic. It wasn’t calculated—it just happened organically as I found my voice.
@skopemag – How is the live music scene in Los Angeles and do you get to play live in any music venues?
The LA scene is always alive—24/7. I’ve performed here and plan to keep doing so. If you want to stay in the loop with where I’m playing next, Instagram is the best place to find me: @youstee
@skopemag – When you are not making music what other things do you have going on in your life?
I’m always in the gym, and I try to reconnect with nature as often as I can. Everything else I do somehow ties back into music—whether it’s networking, planning visuals, or just refueling the mind.
@skopemag – Right now AI is the big thing – do you think AI will eventually be able to create music as good and authentic as humans can and does that concern you?
Honestly, we’ve been using forms of AI for years—sample libraries, VSTs, tools that help us shape sound. AI is just an extension of that. I don’t see it replacing real emotion or lived experience in music, but I do see it as a tool to enhance our creativity when used right.
@skopemag – What is coming up for Youstee for the rest of 2025 and where can we follow you and stream all your music?
You can expect a full musical journey. If you’re into the kind of timeless music inspired by artists like Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Timberlake—just know I’m bringing that flavor with my own twist.
Follow and stream everything here: https://linktr.ee/youstee
EXTRA:
@skopemag – What has been one amazing experience so far since you got to LA?
One of the most incredible moments was being in the studio around Grammy-winning producers like BEKON and Sergiu Gherman, and artists like Jessie Murph, YG. Being in those rooms and part of the creative process behind great music was truly inspiring.