Pronounced “You”alternative R&B/Hip Hop artist Yu has long considered his ‘Relationship’ as an important role in finding his identity. Raised in Cpt Philippi East (hence Yu), the musician attributes his hometown as a major influence on his stage name as well as the significance of where it all started. Born in 2001 in Cape Town, Western Cape as Tyrese Simphiwe Ironsi, Yu started recording himself at the age of thirteen, freestyle voice notes; the singer, songwriter, and rapper’s first recording session was at a home studio which he paid for from the hustles he took on. His initial foray into music consisted of freestyling hooks, and he eventually made the transition from freestyling, into songwriting. Ironsi was also highly influenced by a range of artists such as Travis Scott, Eli Sostre, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Amir Obe, Smino, The Fixx, RadioHead. It’s also notes that he vocally trained himself in 2014 In 2020, Yu won an overseas freestyle competition.