Young Retro- Changing the Narrative

Community News, Entertainment — By Buddy Sampson on June 28, 2025 at 10:30 am

By Buddy Sampson

In the current climate, inspiration is needed more than ever. Artists that can appeal to the masses, and give a positive message can change the narrative.

And the rap game, which has captured the imagination of millions of listeners, can deliver those positive messages. Young Retro aka David Solis is a rapper and actor that will change the narrative with his style of rhyme, which is family-friendly, and could be listened to by kids and adults alike. “I was always taught ‘clean music, clean music, clean music, it was drilled in my head,” said Young Retro. “The more clean music I have, the more gigs and opportunities I can get. You can go hard without cussing.”

His latest single, “Holiday,” with the group ZupaNova is the theme song of an upcoming film, “A Heart Full of Hope,” and will be released by Tazmania Records in July 2025. Produced by Davy Brown, and written by Roycel Cooks, Davy Brown, Young Retro, and Iakopo, “Holiday,” is a message of hope, inspiration, and just feel-good vibes.

Having clean, accessible rap bars has advanced his career considerably. Young Retro recounts a time where clean bars gave him an advantage. “I met Guy Black, (from the radio station) KJLH while we were on a cruise, and he asked a bunch of teenagers, who knows how to rap?” he said. “Everybody raised their hand. The next question he asked was ‘now who can rap a clean verse?’ Everyone put their hands down except me. I got paid fifty dollars for 30 seconds of work.”

As David Solis, Young Retro co-stars in the film “A Heart Full of Hope,” a film that has an important message about health issues. He plays the part of Tyler aka Tai, a social media influencer and student. “Tai is too cool for school,” he laughed. “Always on his phone, in class, it doesn’t matter where’s he at, in the library, in the projects, he’s always going live somewhere.” He mentioned how he immersed himself into the role. “I was so into character,” he reflected. “I just went all out. I ended up dyeing my hair. I was so into it that I just became another person.”  A Suzanne De Laurentiis Production, Young Retro described working on the set with Suzanne. “Working with Suzanne is a dream come true,” said Young Retro. ” For her to believe in me is just everything. Working on set, I was so amped about being in the project, being in the film. I was usually the first one there and the last one to leave, I was so pumped up. Everyone on set is like family. It’s like being in a family.”

The rap game has had its pioneers that inspired up and coming rhyme masters. Young Retro was not shy to list his favorites. “Growing up, Biggie and Tupoc for sure,” he said. “Kanye West has always been my inspiration, TI, DMX, there’s just so many.” But Lil Wayne had a big impact on his career. “I had a chance to be featured in his music video,” he said about having a part in the video for Lil Wayne’s “Prom Queen.” “I had a chance to meet Lil Wayne. I was already inspired by Lil Wayne, but just meeting him and seeing the way he worked just inspired me even more.”

But how does Young Retro feel about current rap trends? “The rap game is where it needs to be,” he said. ” It’s constantly changing and if you don’t keep up with the music, with the innovations, with the style, with the era and being a trend setter is important. It’s all about making your own trend and setting your own trend.”

Born in South Central Los Angeles, his cultural upbringing had an influence on his art. “There was gangbanging there, all this stuff going on,” said Young Retro, who holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Humboldt State University and is now expanding into acting, modeling, and launching his own record label. “I just had to stay positive through it all It was really rough growing up, but I kept myself out of trouble and kept myself in the studio.” He would use anything he could find to make music, including using the tables at school as a beat box, but he managed to avoid the pratfalls of gangs. “Music is what kept me out of trouble, kept me grinding and being in the studio. I didn’t have time to get involved with all the negativity going on.”

David Solis aka Young Retro, with ZupaNova, will be touring local Los Angeles High Schools soon. “My school tour is a chance for me to basically grab the younger crowd and get them involved in what I am doing,” he said. “I want to let them know that I’m an artist from your city.”

He has a signature move in concert that you must see in concert to believe. His stage presence is captivating.

David Solis aka Young Retro, has a bright personality which shows in his positive music. With his considerable talent, Young Retro will indeed, change the narrative. “I’m a perfectionist,” said Young Retro. “I’m all about perfecting my music, all about putting my all into whatever it is, whatever song it is, and keeping the culture alive, creating good music and being a good role model.”

“Holiday” will be released July 11, 2025. For more details, visit www.zupanovaofficial.com.

Scheduled to be released November 2025, “A Heart Full of Hope,” is a touching film that you must see. Sponsored by the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF), a public nonprofit dedicated to the mission of advancing the science and practice of organ transplantation and end-stage organ disease therapies through research, education, and innovation, raising kidney awareness, the film and record release hopes to raise public awareness to the scourge of kidney disease. Want to get involved? Visit https://mnitf.org.