Truly good music, regardless of genre, finds its own level. It can't be denied. It can't even be defined, really, because it defies category and shuns labels. And when it's really good, it not only connects with listeners where they are, but it leads them in a bold, new direction. Indeed, it puts them on a path to the future. For Grand Hustle artist Yung LA, being "futuristic" is a way of life. "Its all about individuality with me," says the 22-year-old rapper born Leland Austin (thus the "LA" in his handle). "I'm a trendsetter expressing my uniqueness. At the end of the day I know who I am and I'm doing something different, too many rappers these days conform." That's probably the only time you'll ever hear the word "conform" come out of the rapper's mouth. Displaying a style all his own, don't expect to see Yung LA trying to blend in with his contemporaries. As he likes to say, many artists have painted a picture in the rap game; but now's his time to put brush to canvass, and he's using colors all his own to create something not seen or heard before. His debut CD, Futuristic Leland, is the first masterpiece of many to come.

Even in his humble beginnings, bouncing between the notorious East Lake Meadows and Thomasville Heights communities in Southeast Atlanta, LA has always been in a different lane. While his childhood friends aimed to look like each other, LA literally flipped things wearing his clothes backwards like his favorite rap duo growing up, Kris Kross. So it comes as no surprise to see him now rocking a Mohawk haircut with accompanying cameo designs.

"Its the White Boy, Black Boy swag," he brags, mentioning that he doesn't hire a stylist to pick out his attention getting outfits either, he does that himself. Nor is he weighed down with pounds of heavy jewelry in an attempt to wear the Hip Hop uniform of the day. "We've always had flavor in the inner city, the world just gets to see it now. It's a new day and a new trend. Folks are tired of seeing the same thing."

Being tired of seeing, hearing and even saying the same thing is what shaped this talented artist. True to his moniker, LA got his start rapping at the very "yung" age of six. Encouraged by his aunt who was in a rap group herself at the time, the little MC became the toast of the family by rapping a custom-made rhyme she wrote just for him. When he grew tired of that rhyme, he started mimicking whatever he heard on the radio.

Displaying a discipline that holds to this day, the then youthful third-grader use to copy down the lyrics of his favorite rap stars to help better understand the writing and creative process. This led to him mastering the ability to compose his own rhymes and infuse them with an energy reflecting his life in the ATL and paving the way to his futuristic sound and style.