Yusef Shelton
Ys1 Yusef Shelton Da First is a hip-hop artist, producer & teaching artist, and community leader based in Pittsburgh. Yusef uses music, mentorship, and movement-building to inspire transformation in the lives of youth and communities. As co-founder of Back 2 Purpose (B2P), a touring social-emotional learning (SEL) and purpose discovery program, Yusef works alongside schools, nonprofits, and organizations across Western Pennsylvania to empower young people—especially young Black men—to embrace their identity and walk in purpose.
His journey from the streets to the stage has positioned him as a voice of hope and authenticity, bridging hip-hop culture with Kingdom values in a way that’s relatable, powerful, and transformative. Ys1 has performed at notable venues such as Carnegie Mellon University, the August Wilson Center, and the New Hazlett Theater,. He has held several artist residences in Pittsburgh, and released eight mixtapes including his latest Barbershop Talk .Yusef is passionate about building infrastructure for independent artists in Pittsburgh and fostering a united, purpose-driven music scene. Whether through performances, youth mentoring, or strategic partnerships, his mission is clear: to help people discover who they are and why they’re here—through the power of music, movement, and message. Yusef participated in Music to Life's 2025 Musician Changemaker Accelerator (MCA) Workshop in Pittsburgh, PA before being accepted into their Juried Artist Network.
