Ambjaay (pronounced A-M-B Jaay) recently signed to Columbia Records. His highest viewing single to date, “Uno” draws similarities to YG‘s “Go Loko,” which probably adds to the record’s success. However, before the single and record label, Ambjaay was making noise with his song called “Shit Talker.” The record arrives months removed from his highly-anticipated extended play, It Cost To Live Like This, which dropped in February.

The Watts, California artist has achieved a lot for his age—19-years-old. And who is the influence behind all of this great work? “My main influence was really just my family,” Ambjaay expresses as he talks about his childhood. The West Coast star initially had plans of attending college, however, that didn’t work out for a good reason. Records like “Knock Knock Who There” and “Choppa Go Blocka Blocka” prove music to be his true calling.

Ambjaay arrives on the scene alongside buzzing artists like 1TakeJay and AzChike. However, pretty soon, Jaay will be in the limelight with artists like Blueface (“Thotiana”) and Roddy Ricch (“Die Young”), who recently made appearances on XXL’s Freshman List. Check out our interview with Ambjaay below.

Your hit single “Uno” has co-signs from Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Kehlani, and more. Can we expect a remix to come out in the future?

Yeah, of course. In the future, you can expect a remix. That’s for sure.

A lot of times with artist we see that the record is bigger than their career. Do you think that’ll happen with you?

Not really, as long as you keep striving for greatness. Just hope and pray to God and you should be alright.

Walk me through your childhood, what were your influences?

I mean, I really didn’t have any musical influences. My main influence was really just my family. You know when was little, my sister used to play The Carters, Busta Rhymes, Timberlake. Shit, everybody that was popping at the time when I was little.

Dropping out of college is a bold yet brave decision, especially when you’re pursuing music. What are some of the issues you had to deal with when you stopped going?

Just really being poor and trying to find my way in this music industry, to be honest.

Did your parents support you making music at first?

Hell yeah. My brothers, my sisters, my parents. They were always supportive of me.

Your EP ‘It Cost to Live Like This’ dropped in February. Tell me a bit more about that project.

That project came about because I was still trying to find my sound. I had a song called “Shit Talker” and after that, I dropped the project and “Uno” was on there. It had been out since February, since Valentine’s day.

And how would you compare that to your forthcoming work now that you have a major following?

Hmm, my next project. This project is when I first started. Now, this next project, you can tell that I progressed over the past few months. You can tell my style changed. I found my core sound and basically how I want to rap. It cost to live like this you heard me. It Cost To Live Like This part two coming soon.

Now that you’re up there with Blueface and Roddy Ricch, what’s next for you?

Man, hopefully, to keep making hits and progress. I want to better myself, humble myself. To be honest, I just want to better family. Make great music and so forth.

When people hear your music, what do you want them to take away from your sound?

I mean shit, really just have fun. To me, my music is just fun. It’s not too tough. Be yourself, you don’t have to act hard. You don’t always have to be tough.

Lastly, if you had the chance to go back in the past, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Never give up on your dreams. Keep striving for greatness and believe in yourself. Always go hard in your craft.

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