Blue Ridge, Georgia, a mountain town better known for trout streams and scenic railways than hip-hop, has produced an artist who wants to go a lot higher. With his new single, Young Adub, the independent rapper, producer, and entrepreneur, delivers “Up Like Elon,” a record about ambition, self-belief, and refusing to let doubters set the ceiling.
The track was produced by Kid Hazel, the producer Young Adub describes as the first signed to 21 Savage’s Slaughter Gang, and 44WXRLD, whose credits connect to Nardo Wick, K Camp, B.o.B, and Young Nudy. What makes the story unusual is that the three never shared a room while making it.
“We actually connected through Instagram and instantly started cooking,” Young Adub said. “We created the track remotely, with all three of us working from different parts of the country. It’s a perfect example of how social media can open doors.”
The Story Behind Young Adub Up Like Elon
Young Adub took his time with “Up Like Elon.” He says it took a while to find a beat that matched what he wanted to say, and that he went through the lyrics carefully in the studio to get the energy right. The result is a song he sees as a statement of where his career is headed.
“With a song like ‘Up Like Elon,’ I’m talking about the mindset of wanting more, betting on yourself, and not letting other people’s opinions determine how far you go,” he said. “I know what it feels like to have people doubt you, and I want my music to remind people that their circumstances don’t have to define their future.”
The collaboration also adds weight to the release. Young Adub says Kid Hazel is a Grammy-nominated producer who has worked with 21 Savage, Coi Leray, Latto, Playboi Carti, and Young Nudy. The three are already talking about getting in a studio together for a follow-up, possibly with Young Adub’s longtime producer, Young Kosher, who has been working with 44WXRLD in Las Vegas.
“That’s what I love about music,” Young Adub said. “You never know where one connection can lead.”
From House-Party Freestyles to a Distribution Deal
Young Adub’s path started in high school, freestyling at parties over beats his friends made. The hobby became a passion, and the passion became a career. Because industry opportunities were scarce in Blue Ridge, he spent years driving to studios in Atlanta and Chattanooga before moving to Atlanta to study at SAE Institute.
There, he learned more than recording. He studied production and mixing and taught himself streaming, marketing, and social media, along with the business side of an independent career. Today he runs his own company, Young Adub LLC, alongside his entertainment brand Up Never Down Entertainment, and recently partnered with Warner Music Group’s ADA for distribution.
His sound reflects that do-it-yourself range. Hip-hop is the foundation, but he pulls freely from trap, EDM, country, and alternative rock. He names Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Future, Young Thug, Drake, Post Malone, and Jay-Z as influences, along with independent figures like Russ, Nipsey Hussle, Berner, and Young Dolph. He also cites Nirvana, Green Day, AC/DC, and Tame Impala, and producers like Metro Boomin, London on da Track, Zaytoven, Dr. Dre, Mike Dean, and ATL Jacob.
“I’m not trying to sound like any one artist,” he said. “I’m taking pieces of what inspires me and turning them into something that feels like Young Adub.”
Building Something Bigger Than the Music
For Young Adub, “Up Like Elon” works as a song title and as a business plan. He is building Up Never Down Studios in Blue Ridge, a recording space meant to give local artists the access he had to drive hours to find. He plans to grow Up Never Down Entertainment into a label that invests in and manages talent, and he is developing a podcast, LoudPals, with an eye on artist investments and real estate.
“I’m not just building a music career,” he said. “I’m building a brand, businesses, and a legacy that can grow far beyond me.”
He admits the studio project has brought obstacles he never expected, but he treats each one as part of the education. “I’m still figuring things out every day,” he said, “but I’ve learned that the key is to keep moving forward.”
As listeners discover Young Adub and “Up Like Elon,” the message he hopes they take away is simple: motivation, confidence, and a little fun along the way. “Whether they’re chasing their own goals, celebrating a win, or just enjoying the moment,” he said, “I want my songs to give them energy and make them feel like anything is possible.”
Stream “Up Like Elon” and more from Young Adub on Spotify, and follow him on Instagram for updates on new music and Up Never Down Studios.