YNG Martyr has teamed up with Sophiya on a dynamo new single, ‘They Say.’ 

YNG Martyr and Sophiya have summoned up a demonic trap track, rooted in an 808-beat that feels destined to murder a sound system. It’s gritty, crushing and oozing with bravado.

The collaboration was born after YNG Martyr received a dm from a sneaker artist, insisting that he collaborate with Sophiya. During a trip to Melbourne earlier this year, the pair cooked up ‘They Say’ alongside producer JUJO at Milk Bar Studios.

“This was a true collaboration, you can really feel the star energy from each individual,” Sophia shared in a statement. 

“This is my first collaboration with a female artist and I’d like the fans to feel the unity and empowerment we created by working together.” YNG Martyr added. ‘They Say’ premiered live at the John Cain Arena back in April at the NBL Halftime Show.

We feel extremely privileged to be premiering ‘They Say’ — check it out below.

‘They Say’ by YNG Martyr and Sophiya

Since the release of his 2019 single, ‘Nike Ticks’, YNG Martyr has been unstoppable. ‘Nike Ticks’ is a tour-de-force, clocking over forty million streams on Spotify and taking out first place in the Acclaim All Stars 2020 ‘MVP Song of The Year’ category. It’s origin story is something to marvel at.

Love Hip Hop?

Get the latest Hip Hop news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more

In early 2019, the aspiring rapper was working an uninspiring job as a “web designer that didn’t know how to design websites.” Instead of succumbing to a soul-crushing 9-5, he took time off work, took out a $15,000 loan from the bank and spent his days building up a meme-focused Instagram account — creating posts featuring ‘Nike Ticks’.

A gamble that paid off, sure enough, the track projected to viral status. Since the success of the single, he’s scooped up a record deal and launched YNG Marketing — which works with distro company Empire and labels under Sony Orchard. Quit your jobs, chase the bag.

2020 was a mammoth year for Sophiya, the Melbourne-based rapper’s appearance on the Red Bull series ’64 Bars’ amassed over 500,000 views on YouTube. She also released a slew of dizzying singles, and shared the stage with fellow Melbourne rap troubadour Illy on his The Space Between tour.

If ‘They Say’ is anything to go off, the future looks bright for Sophiya and YNG.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine