One hour before his performance at Suikerrock: Antwerp's Yong Yello (34) on stress, addiction, and being happy again

Rapper and producer Yong Yello is navigating his busiest summer yet, performing across Belgium with his second album, 'Bennie & de banaliteit van ons bestaan.' The 34-year-old Antwerp artist, whose real name is Yello Staelens, is bringing his characteristic vulnerability to festival stages, sharing stories inspired by his own past battles with depression, alcohol, and drugs through the fictional character Benny.

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But today, I am doing very well.

"But today, I am doing very well," Yello stated candidly from backstage at Suikerrock. He admitted to feeling tired after a performance at the Lokerse Feesten the previous night, highlighting the demanding pace of his festival circuit. His summer schedule includes major festivals like Gladiolen, Pinkpop, Campo Solar, Lokerse Feesten, and Rock Werchter, with more performances lined up in August, including a closing slot at Suikerrock.

From a young age, Yello harbored ambitions in music, writing rap lyrics and creating beats on his brother's computer. He described himself as always having been very ambitious, while also managing his expectations. The success of his career brings him immense satisfaction, describing the feeling as "very, very nice."

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I have always been very ambitious in everything. But at the same time, you try not to set your expectations too high.

Yong Yello is also a respected producer, having collaborated with artists like Glints and Tourist LeMC. He was formerly part of the creative collective Abattoir Anvers alongside close friends Glints and Faisal. Despite the high-energy performances and demanding schedule, Yello conveyed a sense of peace, stating that he no longer experiences the stress that once accompanied his performances.

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That my career is doing so well feels very, very nice.