NEW YORK (AP) — For Bronx-born artist Yung Vargaz, music has always been more than entertainment. It is a way to give a voice to people who feel unheard and to transform personal experiences into stories that resonate with listeners.
Performing under the brand Numinous Aether, Yung Vargaz, whose given name is Dylan Vargas, says authenticity remains the foundation of his artistry. Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, he uses his music to explore themes of struggle, growth and self-discovery.
“I stand for the ones who never had a voice,” Vargas said. “A lot of my stories are experiences that I’ve gone through and share with the viewers through my music.”
Music has been a part of Vargas’ life from an early age. His father, a musician himself, regularly brought him into the studio, exposing him to the creative process and planting the seed for a future career.
“My father has been making music since he was younger and always had me in the studio with him,” Vargas said. “That was where the seed was planted.”
Over the years, Vargas has steadily built an audience through independent releases. One of his most notable milestones came with a track released on SoundCloud that sampled vocals from Shiloh Dynasty. The song has since amassed more than 355,000 plays, marking an early breakthrough in his career.
While music has brought success, Vargas says some of his greatest creative inspiration has come from personal challenges, particularly heartbreak and relationships.
“One of my biggest challenges is love, and learning from the heartbreak that comes with it,” he said. “A way to really overcome this emotional state is to ground yourself, tap into yourself and sit in that moment of discomfort until peace ignites.”
That emotional depth is expected to play a major role in his upcoming project, “RETROGRADE: AWAKENING.” The album follows his earlier “RETROGRADE” release and reflects what Vargas describes as a deeper exploration of his personal evolution.
“This project is more than just another album,” he said. “It breathes and overflows with depths of color and emotion.”
In addition to songwriting, Vargas produces his own music, a creative outlet he says has helped him navigate difficult periods in his life. Making beats and crafting songs have become equally important parts of his artistic process.
Looking ahead, Vargas remains focused on impact rather than predictions. While he is uncertain where his career will take him in the coming years, he hopes his music continues to inspire listeners and offer hope to those facing their own struggles.
“For me, it’s about being able to give somebody hope,” he said.
Vargas also believes the music industry should place greater emphasis on supporting underground artists, many of whom possess significant talent but struggle to gain recognition.
“There’s a lot of unspoken talent out here,” he said. “It’s getting more rare to get recognition nowadays.”
As he continues to expand his audience, Vargas is preparing to release a new single, “Siphoning Energy,” on May 15. The track features fellow artist TRAGiK, was produced by Vargas and will be available on all major streaming platforms.
For now, Vargas remains committed to telling his story through music, one song at a time, while encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys of growth, healing and self-reflection.