- 12 minutes ago
Yung Miami joins Billboard News to talk about the success of “Spend That,” how the hit shaped her new album, and the collaborations she brought together—including Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller and Travis Scott. She also opens up about building her brand, the story behind “Dear JT,” plans for a party-filled tour and what fans can expect next from Caresha Please. Plus, she plays “Watch This” and shares the dream collaboration she’d love to make happen.
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MusicTranscript
00:00Hennessy and Red will be in my cup. Yes, they do.
00:02Okay, listen, I want to party with you, but I'm scared.
00:10Hope y'all ready to watch this with Young Miami. How you doing, girl?
00:14Hey, how you doing?
00:15I'm good. I'm so happy you're here. How are you feeling now that the album is out, you've done the
00:19thing?
00:19I'm so happy. I feel like a blessed girl. Like, I am very happy. I'm excited.
00:25I'm glad the album is here. And overall, I just feel great.
00:28I mean, you said it, right? You're a blessed girl because, I mean, Spin That was your highest charting song
00:33solo on the Hot 100.
00:34Yes.
00:35Platinum. Like, how did these milestones feel to you at this point?
00:38Spin that shit. Spin that shit. Spin that shit.
00:42I just, I don't, like, I'm still soaking it in. I'm still, like, amazed by it. I'm still just, I
00:49just be like, wow, like, look at me. Look at me.
00:51It's giving wash this.
00:53Look at me, God.
00:53It's giving wash this.
00:54It is giving wash this.
00:55It's giving wash this.
00:56And one of my favorite parts about, like, the journey of the song was, like, how cultural it felt. Like,
01:01it was everywhere. It is everywhere.
01:03You know, you can see it at the cookout, at a sporting event, everywhere. So, what's the craziest place you
01:07have seen people go crazy for Spin That?
01:08I think the school board, the guy, he was giving, like, a speech, he had said something at the school
01:13board that was funny.
01:14And if young Miami was here today, she would say, where are all my scamming school board employees at?
01:23I like the little AI videos they do.
01:26They do be funny.
01:27Yeah, those was funny. Just everything. I saw so much, but I think the one that stood out to me
01:32was the school board teacher that was calling out all the scammers.
01:37They'd be stealing the money.
01:38We gotta run that. And then, I also like that you brought your daughter on stage. And then, like, I
01:44even thought, my niece, she's four, she's so cute.
01:46She sent me the video of her doing Spin That. And I was like, the kids are in it. So,
01:49how did you feel about, like, the kids jumping in and being involved in Spin That, too?
01:52I mean, I felt good. Like, the thing that made me feel very, very good about Spin That was what
01:58you're saying.
01:58Like, people were celebrating the song. Like, every time you saw somebody doing something to the song, it was in
02:03a positive way.
02:04Like, they was dancing, having fun. It was just, like, a positive thing.
02:09So, like, just to see the kids and people in general, like, all over the world, united, dancing, whether it's
02:15at a wedding, cookout, graduation, just with their friends in the club.
02:19Like, they made me feel good because that's what music's supposed to do. Like, music's supposed to make you feel
02:23something. It's supposed to make you feel good.
02:25Like, music is a form of, like, energy. Like, when I'm sitting here and we playing a song, like, I
02:29want us to get up and dance, you know?
02:31So, like, just to see those moments come from Spin That is, like, that's what I was trying to do.
02:37You also know how our community can be, too. Like, so, do you care about comments when people are dissecting,
02:42like, what the song means and what should people be listening to this?
02:45Because, to me, it's fun. Like you said, you see how people celebrate.
02:48Right.
02:48But, like, people want to also dissect lyrics and stuff like that.
02:50You know, to each his own. You know, like, you got some people that don't listen to rap. You got
02:54R&B or us. But, like, that's why we are all different individuals.
02:58And, like, something that's for me may not be for you. And I get it. But it's like, we don't
03:03have to put something down to, you know, like, to, we don't have to put this thing down.
03:08We could just not enjoy the song.
03:11There you go. Come on. To each his own, like you said.
03:13Yeah.
03:13And you're no stranger to success. You've been successful for a long time. But now that it's been that, you
03:18know, it's doing its thing. What have you spent that on recently to congratulate yourself?
03:21I'm not going to lie. I haven't really, like, brought myself nothing yet.
03:26Oh.
03:26I got to save up for what I really want to buy. Like, what I really want to buy, I
03:30got a lot of saving to do.
03:31Okay. So, now I want to know. I know you're probably not going to tell me, but what you're putting
03:34in the piggy bank for?
03:36I want to buy a plane.
03:37A plane?
03:38Yeah.
03:38Okay. See, us regular people, we don't be thinking about, like, oh, I want to buy a plane one day.
03:43Yeah. So, I just, like, I just been saving. Like, this time around, I'm going to save that, save that.
03:50Oh, save that. Okay, girl. All right. Now, tell me about, like, how Spin That changed the making of the
03:54album. Like, when you had the success, did it help shape the album in any different way?
03:58Yeah. I think that, like, just seeing the success of Spin That, it kind of, it gave me anxiety. I'm
04:02not going to lie. Like, I was excited, but I was like, damn, like, this is, this is big.
04:07I want this album to just be as great, which I felt like it was, but it just really made
04:11me go back in and home in, like, really go back in and make sure that the album was, like,
04:16from top to bottom the way that I needed it to be.
04:20Because before Spin That, I had a couple of songs, and then when I did Spin That, I'm like, nah,
04:25I gotta, I gotta go back in.
04:27You gotta go back in the booth.
04:28I think I know what the people want. I think I see the direction, you know? So, I know after
04:33Spin That, like, 2008.
04:39I did 2008, I did Fuck You, like, the Bryson record. That was some of the songs that came after.
04:46After. Yeah. So, I just felt like it was very up-tempo, kind of, like, runchy. It wasn't those moves
04:55that take you through, like, different, you know, like, just different moves.
04:58So, I was like, you know what? I gotta go back in. I ain't ready. So, it did push me
05:03to, you know, it did challenge me.
05:05It challenged me to go back in and create more records. And I think I did great.
05:14Yeah, you did. And I mean, you spoke through those records right there, and I was like, oh yeah, banger,
05:18banger, banger. What was your favorite one in the studio to record?
05:21My favorite song was Spin That. Like, that was, like, one of the best studio sessions I ever had.
05:27Just Might Go was another one featuring Travis Scott. Fuck You, 2008. Like, kind of the whole thing. I mean,
05:35you know, different times was different moments, but I think, like, the ending of it was when I was really
05:40enjoying myself.
05:41And you talk about those collaborations that you have on the album as well. Like, how did you bring that
05:44community together to decide, like, who you wanted to be on this record?
05:47I know doing this album, I wanted, like, you know, some big features, but, like, Summer Walker. Love Summer Walker.
05:54Like, I'm a Summer Walker girl. When it comes to R&B, that's my number one girl. I always wanted
05:58to collab with her. Like, love her. Love every album she ever put out.
06:02So, I was like, you know what? Like, I want to do a song with Summer Walker. I love her.
06:07So, that's how that was done.
06:09Bryson Tiller, same. Always been a fan of his. Love his music. I love the way he communicates to women.
06:15I just love his voice. I just think it's something about him that's unique.
06:19The song that I have with him is what I pictured our song to sound like.
06:27I'm happy I was able to bring my vision to life with that one. For Travis Scott, that one just
06:31kind of was, like, spontaneous a little bit.
06:33I was here in L.A. at Don Tolliver concert. And then Travis ended up coming to the studio. I
06:39was working on that record. He got on it.
06:41That's a night.
06:42Yeah. Yeah.
06:48I always wonder with, like, musicians and celebrities like yourself, like, do you guys even get nervous? Like, when you're
06:54asking somebody to be on a record?
06:56Is that something like, ooh, I wonder if they're going to want to do it with me? Or, like, it's
06:59a community?
07:00No. I mean, no. Because sometimes you can reach out and get rejected. One of them I was nervous about
07:05was, like, Bryson Tiller.
07:06I was like, oh, my God. I wonder if he going to say yeah. He said yeah. I was so
07:09happy. I was like, yes.
07:10Look at manifestation.
07:12Yeah.
07:12Of course, you were in a group and then now you're doing your own thing. How has that journey changed
07:16for you or shifted when you think about your brand?
07:18It kind of just really showed me that I could, like, stand on my own two feet, right? And it
07:24just taught me so much about myself. Like, I get to see, like, just how I would bring my vision
07:30to life.
07:31Like, my album is just show, like, my vision, how I would promote myself, how I would market myself. I
07:35think, like, my brand speaks to, like, who I am, my personality, like, the fun person that I am.
07:40And my game just represents, like, how I like to have fun. I think, Carisha Please. You know, just everything
07:45that I built, it just relates to me.
07:48You could tell that, like, this is me. This is authentically me. Like, I'm not, this is not an act
07:53or, you know, it's just give, like, that's your Miami.
07:56Yeah, I know. Your brand is very specific and I love that about you. And, like, how involved are you
08:00when it comes to, like, visuals, artwork, and all that kind of stuff as well?
08:04100%. I'm, like, a low-key creative director.
08:07Okay.
08:07Like, that's one of my hidden talents in, like, marketing. Like, I come up with, like, dealing with my whole
08:12shit.
08:12I know how I want everything to look. I know how I want to present myself. I be, like, I
08:17want to look like this. I want to do this.
08:18I want this music video to be like this. I study a lot of this stuff. So, it's kind of,
08:22like, I know, like, what type of music I want to make, what type of videos I want to make.
08:26Like, I already be having these things mapped out and planned.
08:29Yeah, and, I mean, you've been doing it for a while. And, I mean, you did take the time to
08:32acknowledge it on the record with Dear JT, obviously.
08:34Before the city grows, wait, before Carisha, please. It was you and me. At Juanita House, trying to make ends
08:41meet.
08:41So, why was it important for you to be that vulnerable and kind of open it up in that way?
08:45You know, I just went through a lot these last two years, and I just felt like the time was
08:48now, because I was like, it's either now or never.
08:50I think that, like, next year, I'm going to be in a different space in my life. I probably wouldn't
08:55want to speak on it.
08:56And I just felt like, at the time, like, this is how I feel. I don't mind being open and
09:00sharing how I feel.
09:01So, I just thought the time was now, because I was like, you know what? It's either now or never
09:05for me, and this is how I feel.
09:07And I'm not afraid to, you know, express how I feel at the time. And that's how I was feeling.
09:12So, that's how the song came about.
09:14I think a lot of times people look at groups and celebrities, and we have all these opinions about, like,
09:19what y'all should do.
09:20But it's like, I got cousins, I got friends that I get into it with that we don't talk for
09:23a while and stuff like that.
09:24So, it's really human that you did that track. But, of course, people are asking, like, are we going to
09:28see a reconciliation?
09:29I know you get that question, but how do you feel about the future?
09:32Inshallah.
09:33That's it?
09:33Yeah.
09:34Okay. I appreciate you. And then let's talk about your other endeavors, of course.
09:38Okay.
09:38You are an entrepreneur.
09:40Mm-hmm.
09:40So, what are you working on right now? How is it to be a musician, but also have these other
09:45bags on the side?
09:46It's a lot. You know, when you're focusing on so many things at once, because it's like, one thing kind
09:51of needs your attention.
09:52So, I think now that the music is out, I want to, like, put together a tour, put together a
09:57show, launch some new products next year.
09:59I've been thinking of some new products for Carisha Please. Definitely want to do some new products.
10:03I don't want to say what it is prematurely, but working on launching some new products, expanding my drinking game.
10:09I want to bring my podcast back.
10:11Oh, the people want it.
10:13Yeah.
10:13We're going to get to the podcast. We're going to go to tour.
10:15Okay.
10:15What's the tour going to be like, Young Miami? What are we going to?
10:19Oh, my God. We're coming to a party. Like, I can party. I'm a party girl. I'm a fun girl.
10:23I love to party. I'm a host.
10:25I love to, like, you know, host, make people feel good, make sure everything is set up right.
10:30So, I want people to just come. You know how it's, like, a Friday night and you can't wait to
10:35go out with your friends?
10:36That's how, with my concert, it feel like, oh, my God, we had a blast. Like, to the point, I
10:40want to go again tomorrow.
10:42Like, I want it to feel like that. I just want people to come, have fun. We're going to cry.
10:46We're going to dance.
10:46We may even play the drinking game.
10:48Okay.
10:48But it's, like, a Friday night out with your best friend. But it's, like, music, karaoke, like, all the things
10:54that you would do to go out and have fun with your friends. That's how, with my concert, it feels.
11:02And, I mean, you said going out with your best friend. I feel like watching Carisha Please, like, people feel
11:06like you're a best friend to them.
11:07They feel so connected to you. So, what do you feel it was about the podcast that, like, got the
11:11awards, got those accolades that people really like to see you as a host?
11:14I think that it was new and fresh. I think it was my style of interviewing. You have a lot
11:20of podcasts, but, like, certain podcasts stand out for certain reasons.
11:24Mine, at the time, it was just new. It was a new segment. It was a new approach to the
11:29way that I interview people. A lot of people came on and was vulnerable.
11:34A lot of people came on and answered questions and been just open about things they wouldn't be open about.
11:38So, I think that's why I was able to, like, win awards early on because it was new. You know,
11:43like, you could come, you could do hookah.
11:45We got drinks. We playing games. It was just kind of like watching a TV show, but it's a podcast.
11:52You got the awards. You did your thing. So, now I got, you said you got people to open up.
11:55What's advice you would give a host about getting people to open up?
11:59I just think that what I learned, and this is just me being a human and being interviewed and being
12:05an interviewer, I think that it's very important.
12:07And, like, you know, at the end of the day, we're all human. So, we know going to an interview
12:10with something viral, whatever it is, is going to come up.
12:13But it's like the approach, you know, and, like, the comfortability. It's like, I could read a person.
12:17And so, it's like, okay, if I ask the question and I feel like they're not ready, then it's like,
12:23okay, let's move on.
12:23But I think that a lot of people go into interviews just trying to be like, okay, I'm going to
12:27be the one to get this out of this person and pull this out of this person.
12:30And I'm going to do it in a way that it come off like that. So, I think that it's,
12:33like, just very important to, for one, like, just understand that people may not be ready to talk about whatever
12:40it is that's out there.
12:42But if they are or if your job is to get the answer out of them, it's just the way
12:47that you do it.
12:48I love hearing you talk about that. That's so awesome. And then, let's talk about other ways you're leveling up.
12:51Obviously, signed recently with WME.
12:53So, how do you think that's going to help you level up in what you're working on with them?
12:56WME is a big agency, you know. So, I hope that, and I'm praying that we do a lot of
13:01great things, they are able to bring me a lot of big opportunities to help me expand my brand.
13:06What is your relationship like with your fans and what they want from you and what you want from them?
13:11My relationship with my friends, I always say this, I be laughing. Like, when they talk to me, they be
13:16like, Karisha, Karisha, Karisha, da-da-da-da-da, bitch.
13:19I be like, oh, my God. They talk to me as if we are friends, but I'm just saying, like,
13:24when they be like, bring that ass to the front, bring your ass to the front, Karisha Prowley, get to
13:27the front and laugh.
13:28Like, oh, my God. And, like, every time I see it, I just laugh because I think that that's the
13:33energy that I give.
13:34Like, you know, that I'm just a real fun person. Like, I'm a vibe. It don't give up, like...
13:42Nobody wants that. Yeah. I think genuine relationships with artists and fans are so important and, like, you can see
13:48it.
13:48Mm-hmm. What's been one of your favorite, like, trends or dance challenges that you've seen?
13:51I like to go. I'm not your bitch no more.
13:54I'm not his bitch no more. I'm not his bitch no more. Hello?
13:58Hey. I love... I, like, I don't get tired of it. Every time I see it, I cry laugh. I
14:05even just tried doing it the other day, and I told my team that we was going to do the
14:09challenge, but I'm really trying to get the leg.
14:11Oh, you got to get it right? Yeah. Okay, I'm going to be looking for it.
14:13I mean, I prematurely did it, but I'm going to do it, like, for real, for real, for real, because
14:16I think I could do it.
14:17You got it. Yeah. You got it. All right, so before I get you out of here, I do want
14:20to play a little quick game.
14:21Okay. We're going to play Watch This with Young Miami, okay? So Watch This, what collaboration would your fans want
14:27to watch right now?
14:27For collaboration, as far as, like, me collabing with somebody. That you haven't done yet.
14:32I think that my fans probably would want to see me collab with Rihanna.
14:38Ooh. Get her in the studio, Young Miami. I feel like you could do it, because she's so real, and
14:43you so real, so I feel like if you just was, like, girl, we can make that happen.
14:47Or, like, the Super Bowl or something. Oh, come on now. Come on. Girl.
14:52Watch This. What was your favorite episode of Carisha Pleased to watch?
14:56I'm not going to lie. Like, my favorite episode of all time was She Herbo.
15:00Oh, really? Yeah, because he was, like, putting me back in the hot seat. He was real fast, and it
15:04was fun. Like, that was one of my favorites. Summer Walker.
15:07Megan was one of my favorites, too. Oh, yeah. You and Megan.
15:11We laughed and had fun the whole time. All of them. I really enjoyed, like, all of them. But, like,
15:16my top three, I would say is She Herbo, Megan, and, um, gotta say Kevin Gates.
15:24Oh, come on. He set the tone for Carisha Pleased.
15:25That man is so funny to me. I remember the first time I interviewed him, I was like, it was
15:29iconic, and he's just hilarious. I love to watch Resher Roulette. What be in the cup? What's your favorite thing
15:34to drink?
15:35So, I got my cup, too. You're like, I got one over there. I'm not going to lie. Nine times
15:41out of ten, or ten times out of ten, I got Red Bull.
15:45Really? Yes. Red Bull? Girl, that'd be cinnamon. Do you put liquor in the Red Bull? Yeah, and I be
15:52having Hennessy, yeah.
15:53Tequila? Oh, Hennessy, Hennessy, Red Bull? It's all, yeah. Girl, you be trying to die.
15:58I got Hennessy and Red Bull be in my cup. Yes, they do. Okay, listen, I want to party with
16:03you, but I'm scared.
16:04No, we're going to have a ball. Okay, now. All right. Also, watch this. What is the next venture we
16:10should be watching for?
16:11I probably would say season two, well, season three of Carisha Please. Well, the people are definitely going to want
16:15it. Congratulations so much on the album, by the way.
16:17Thank you. I do want to ask you, what song do you feel like you're ready to perform the most?
16:21All of them.
16:22All of them. But I'm really ready to do Put Together, Blink Twice, Chasing Sunsets. I'm ready to do the
16:28whole album.
16:28Okay, well, I'm going to be at the tour. I'm going to let you know. Now, with my Red Bull
16:32Hennessy in my hand.
16:33Thank you. Thank you so much for coming. This was really fun. Thank you. Thank you.