Brian Keith Young, known professionally as Capa, is an American rapper and recording artist. In 1993 Capa began to find avenues to release his pain, anger, and depression through music. Didn't take Capa long to realize this was his calling. Even though Capa did not believe in many things rappers in the 90s such as Wu-tang and Mobb Deep believed in as far as their faith, He loved the way they had their "own world" in Hip Hop and Rap music. That's exactly what he chose to do. By his own world of passion and belief releasing his frustrations of life and the buildup of depression from serious mental health issues, Capa found the therapy he needed so badly. Being bipolar, having a chemical imbalance in the brain, he used it for his own benefit to help control his mood swings and temper, into pure creativity.
After creating a stunning and buzzing name locally, getting shows and everything in his power through the 90s, when the clocks struck midnight during Y2K, the beginning of a new chapter for Capa, had emerged. Capa created a brilliant idea, but yet at the end so bitter sweet. "The White Owls", a group consisting of 3 nice looking young men and very talented artist came on the scene packing the clubs to their maximum capacity. This led to a couple television appearances, front cover of "The Underground Joint" magazine that was spreading throughout Charlotte NC. Moussa Records owned and operated by Moses Colbert, a Charlotte native, brother and mentor. Local newspapers immediately contacted the rising star. Moses signed the The White Owls and established ground for a new beginning. After the sudden tragic death of White Owl member Steve Strayhorn (A.K.A Rook), and the falling out with former member Jamie Usher (A.K.A. Barricade), Capa was back to ground zero. The connection between Moses and Capa has never been severed. Over 2 decades later they are in contact and working on major things for the future.
During an event at then Cricket arena, Capa also was able to hook up with "Bobcat Entertainment" Bobby Nelson the CEO, approached him. Capa being raised in the south living in Tampa and Ocala Florida, Waycross and Blackshear Georgia, and eventually back to Salisbury North Carolina where Capa was born, loved true "Dirty South '' rap music. Nelson, (A.K.A. Bobcat), also signed Capa to a 2 year deal. During this time Capa really began to learn the culture and life of Hip Hop. Being the only Caucasian man not only in the clubs, bike and car shows, festivals and a blend of many other opportunities that came about, but also to step on the stage. Shootings occured that made national headlines but they were not shooting at Capa. Capa received more love in the dirty south than he could ever possibly imagine. This period of time in Capa's career was crucial when it comes to his roots and the fruit that he would bear later down the long road he had already traveled. This period of time added much heart and being a solid professional artist. Bobcat is still working with Capa over 2 decades later. Not only is Bobcat a promoter and talent scout, he's a brother, more than Capa describes his blood brother never has been. The combination of the two Capa describes a bond that cannot be broken. The most important and crucial moments are soon to come.
While driving down the highway one day, Capa was listening to his favorite and biggest Hip Hop station in North Carolina W.P.E.G. Power 98 (97.9 F.M.). The right day, time, and place, Capa listened as the radio personality announced a contest to be the opening act for major artist. On the ticket was Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz, Ying Yang Twins, and Three 6 Mafia. The contest began within the next 2 weeks. The show was scheduled for Christmas Eve 2003. The contest was to be held at Club H2O, on Independence Blvd. in Charlotte NC. Over 3 days and 3 rounds straight back to back. Capa had a track he had recently recorded called "Making Noise". "Crunk" hype rap, was in style and Capa just so happened to have the right song at the right time. Over 300 artists entered the contest, some fighting for a group victory, and solo victory. Capa performed "Making Noise" the very first day. As soon as Capa stunned the crowd with the powerful song, the promoter over the contest approached Capa. His exact words to him were, "You are what we are looking for". Capa could not believe what he had just witnessed but the battle was still not over considering there were still 2 more days to go to prove himself king. In the end Capa did claim the victory in the solo category and all the rest went home. A sold out crowd of over 8,000 fans filled Cricket Arena (Old Charlotte Hornets Coliseum, now known as Bojangles Arena) in Charlotte NC. One thing was different about this concert though. Capa had asked the promoter since he had won the contest, if he could come on stage right before Lil Jon, who was the headliner on Christmas Eve night. The promoter came back an hour later and said, "You got it". Stunned and maybe a few stomach butterflies, Capa questioned himself, "what did I just ask for?". Capa knew once he hit the stage it would come naturally though. Regardless if it was 8 or 8,000 people, the God given gift would get him through the 30 minutes at 10:30 at night on a very special Christmas Eve they gave him on stage. Lil Jon came on at 11 o'clock at night which automatically meant that Three 6 Mafia and Ying Yang Twins would actually become the "opening acts" for Capa, a local rapper from the small town of Salisbury NC, but yet soon to be a national recording artist.
After the concert, Capa was paid just $400 by the man who had his own office in the arena, Bernard Baily. While the major stars were paid much more, Capa was still grateful and humbled to receive that considering the situation. Besides there was definitely no 9 to 5 that could pay $400 for 30 minutes doing what you love to do. Not only did Benard Bailey have his own office in the arena, he also happened to be the President of B&B Productions which was also located in uptown Charlotte. Bailey signed Capa to a 2 year deal under B&B Productions. The progress had begun. Photo shoots, studio, more concerts had begun. Benard Bailey believed in Capa so he decided to get him a couple more concerts of his own. Over the next year Capa was accompanied on stage with many more major acts. Capa was blessed to be a part of more sold out concerts with hot rappers at the time like Gucci Mane, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Crime Mob, Hurricane Chris, Lil Boosie, Lil Webiie, Pastor Troy, Sunshine Anderson, and so many more. Sadly, this beautiful inspirational success story comes to a very tragic close with yet another tragic ending, the death of Bernard Baily, and B&B Productions. The passing of Bernard Bailey not only was sad and tragic within itself, it also brought Capa's career to a dead end. But the obstacles, blood, sweat, tears, trials, and tribulations, only starting a brand new chapter, along with a "brand" that was self-made of the life and career of this now Underground, "local" artist. But it was the man above, that encrypted this gift, to use for his purpose.
Throughout the life and career of the now older but wiser Capa, over 1,000 songs have filled the memory of many desktop computers through the years. If nothing else was saved and transferred from one PC to the next, the writings and recordings were. Capa, after experiencing traumatizing events like prison, 22 car wrecks, drugs, and many near death experiences, came to a simple conclusion. Capa was powerless. Reaching for an unseen God that he had heard through and learned from his mentor and brother Mitch Sewell, other pastors, research, and self conviction directly from God himself, it was time to live and conduct his daily life more orderly, staying clean, to reach not a record deal, but personal salvation. Capa needed peace and he knew it wasn't going to be created from within. Suicidal thoughts began to enter the mind of a man that had gave his whole life, heart and concious, to making it "big" in the Rap/Hip Hop music industry. Through health issues and injuries, Capa realized that the pain he had been writing about for decades, had really only begun. Capa hit rock bottom and knew there was only one way left to go and that was up. Capa created his first complete God inspired gospel rap album, "Saved by the blood" in 2014. Through many performances at charity events, churches, and everywhere and anywhere Capa could land a gig, a new contest arose out of the blue. Capa decided to enter the "Prayze Factor Awards" gospel music competition, after seeing an advertisement online. Similar in some ways as the Lil Jon concert competition, around 300 artists made the finals and it was time for the fans to choose their winner. Through real time voting, financially supporting the ministry Capa had built from ground up, Capa ended up with over 1 million votes. The grand finale was held in Columbia, South Carolina, winning not only in his category gospel rap, but finished up with yet another victory, winning the whole entire gospel championship out of Christian rock, contemporary, rap, and all genres of gospel music and even mass choirs. Capa was at a new level that only God could allow him to elevate to. But, in the end was another bittersweet moment. Capa began to question himself even at this level, whether or not God was still real. A fall out between these self proclaimed "Christians" led to this state of mentality. This is when Capa realized that not everyone who says "God or Lord", means they are Christians. Capa also realized that everyone who claims to be your "brother or friend", can be fake imitations of them, and stab you in the back over jealousy or greed.
Capa could get a book published just off the life he has experienced. 8 years later now many of the bad things repeated including relapse and the suicidal thoughts were now becoming a reality. Capa had enough. Now in 2022 Capa
I am always performing somewhere if you would like to book me contact me @ contactcapa336@gmail.com
God and my past is my influences
BE AIGHT GOD LOVES YA
