Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Allan Kingdom of Yebo Life Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I’m using my successes to bring goodness to the world through my nonprofit organization, Yebo Life. We’re currently working on developing housing and community centers with the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Our city is changing and we’re helping to clean it up and make it equitable for all starting from the bottom. Through Yebo Life, we’ve also donated thousands of pounds of food, feminine hygiene products, and household goods throughout the Twin Cities during our giveback events. Because of my successful music career, I’m able to bring on larger corporate sponsors to help raise awareness and broaden our offerings.
As a part of our series about music stars who are making an important social impact, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Allan Kingdom.
Allan Kingdom is a 3x Grammy Nominated recording artist, performer and producer. Coming from humble beginnings, and a loyal grassroots fanbase starting in his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota he represents a blend of Canadian, African, and American culture stemming from his diverse background.
Allan has remained independent while touring internationally and collaborating with the likes of Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Denzel Curry, Flume, and many more. The young mogul continues to pave a new lane in Hip-Hop and pop culture for younger generations to come.
Allan is also, and most recently, the founder of the nonprofit Yebo Life. The organization works to solve short-term problems for disenfranchised or low-income communities, as well as invest in these communities to provide long-term solutions to systematic oppression.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
Music was my first love, it’s a passion I’ve pursued since I was young. Additionally, I’ve always felt my purpose for creating was to give back to my community — through music and other means.
When the murder of George Floyd happened in my hometown it pushed me into being more actionable with my philanthropic endeavors.
Naturally, I’m entrepreneurial, so I began purchasing land in 2018 in Minnesota, which led to me developing real estate and solutions for more equitable outcomes in communities of color.
I ended up creating Yebo Life, a nonprofit on a mission to solve short-term problems for disenfranchised and low-income communities, as well as invest in these communities to provide long-term solutions to systematic oppression.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What was the lesson or takeaway you took out of that story?
I’d say one of the most interesting things that have happened in my career is meeting my idols and people I had looked up to since childhood. It kind of cleared all of the smoke and mirrors and I realized most people are the same. We are all in some way (at different degrees) flawed, insecure, and complex creatures.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I would advise a young person who wants to emulate my success to always be themselves and always ask ‘how.’ It sounds cliche, but never taking ‘no’ for an answer when it comes to business or positive outcomes really is a superpower. So many people have been told ‘no’ or have a natural reflex of telling you ‘no,’ that most of the time they don’t even realize that they’re doing it. If you truly believe in something, be tenacious about it and humble yourself enough to listen to people who have more technical knowledge than you in order to execute your dreams.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
Yes, definitely my mother. She was born in a village in the Serengeti, walked over 20 miles to school barefoot and ended up a Pharmaceutical Scientist who has built freshwater wells for her home village and had a 3x Grammy-nominated son. If that isn’t a story of profound impact I don’t know what is.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I’m using my successes to bring goodness to the world through my nonprofit organization, Yebo Life. We’re currently working on developing housing and community centers with the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Our city is changing and we’re helping to clean it up and make it equitable for all starting from the bottom. Through Yebo Life, we’ve also donated thousands of pounds of food, feminine hygiene products, and household goods throughout the Twin Cities during our giveback events. Because of my successful music career, I’m able to bring on larger corporate sponsors to help raise awareness and broaden our offerings.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I chose to take up this particular cause because I believe giving itself is an art. I’m able to still use my artistic expression and couple it with my entrepreneurial ideas and philanthropic goals. It really came together like PANGEA in a sense.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
Definitely, just last year our organization gave away a car to a young lady whose car was totaled by the MPD during the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd. We were able to collaborate with Billionaire Boys Club and give her a brand new vehicle.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Definitely. First, I’d say monetary donations always help. Second, and this is addressing society as a whole, I feel like if people sat down and actually had real conversations with people they think they disagree with they’d realize we actually have a lot more in common than we realize. That would help everyone.
And as for the government, I’d like to see less red tape and barriers to entry when it comes to opening businesses, qualifying for housing and accessible access to resources.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”
- Try every idea, it will all make sense together later.
- Invest, invest, invest.
- The old way might work, but there’s always a new one.
- Learn as much as you can about every business.
- Be the most extreme version of yourself.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I’d say an internationally Black-owned and operated housing trust or investment group that owns the majority of real estate in urban areas.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
My mom reminds me: “You can be a winner onstage and a loser backstage.” I always carry that with me as it’s relevant in so many areas of life. We are more than our appearance and our performances. We’re real people. Make sure that person is good.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Off the top, I’m gonna say Pharrell. Otherwise whoever wants to be a part of what I’m doing, or is inspired by this article.
A few other updates I’d love to share with your readers:
I recently just released my single “2nd Round” and the official video both as NFT’s. The single just sold! The relationship between urban culture, Black people, and technology has always been such a productive one and I’m excited to see it continue to grow and thrive.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Allan Kingdom of Yebo Life Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.