Her name stands for Business Over Silly Stuff, but a local youth has found a way to work in a bit of both, having fun and building a solid résumé and discography along the way.
Tia Young, who performs as the rapper Boss Tootie, is capturing attention with her music, creating opportunities and impactful partnerships. The sixth-grader can add being the new face of Cal-Waste Recovery Systems’ recycling campaign to her credits. Boss Tootie recently created a song, “Recycling Is Easy,” and accompanying music video focused on food waste recycling for elementary school students. The campaign supports school districts in complying with California Senate Bill 1383, which targets eliminating food from landfills.
Filming took place at Boss Tootie’s school and at the Cal-Waste Materials Recovery Facility in Galt.
“The result was a fun, engaging learning experience for everyone involved, and a unique, customized music video that speaks directly to elementary school students about the importance of food waste recycling,” says Leesa Klotz, Cal-Waste’s director of education and engagement.
“It was a true delight working with the very talented Boss Tootie, and we wish her continued success in her future musical endeavors,” Klotz continued.
The two-day video shoot was also memorable for its star.
“I got to have my friends come out and do the video with me and I got to ride in a truck. I got to sit in the front seat. I really like the song and how it came out,” she says.
It was also educational for her.
“Now I pay attention to where I throw my stuff away and I know a lot more about recycling,” she says.
The video will debut on Boss Tootie’s YouTube channel at midnight Friday, Jan. 30, and Cal-Waste intends to use it as a refresher for schools to remind students about why and how recycling is important to practice every day in their cafeterias. The video is slated for distribution to more than 200 schools across 11 districts in Central California.
Boss Tootie hired local videographer Matthew Gilliam of Gilliam Media Production for the project. The two worked together on her first video, “Go!” in 2022.
“Watching Boss Tootie grow since that first project has been something special,” Gilliam says, noting Young’s confidence and “real sense of purpose.”
“Over the years, she’s only sharpened her instincts and her professionalism,” he continued. “When Cal‑Waste approached her for the ‘Recycling Is Easy’ campaign, she stepped into the opportunity with maturity well beyond her age. She brought ideas to preproduction, stayed involved throughout the process and even caught a choppy moment in an early edit. That kind of attention to detail says a lot about who she’s becoming as an artist.
Boss Tootie was a “dream” to work with, area filmmaker and director says.
“Her growth is clear and she’s putting in the work to match it.”
Jerry Turner, who performs as Jahri’s World, started collaborating with Boss Tootie in October. The artists met through fellow creative M’ster Lewis, who filmed videos for her earlier songs “Jump” and “Sleep All Day.”
After a preview listen to Boss Tootie’s ode to recycling, Turner, who focuses on educational music for children, especially those with autism, was inspired to record his own “Recycling Song” and featured Boss Tootie on the track. She’s also on his single “Roof on Fire,” alongside funk saxophonist Dr. Paul D’Blue.
Turner rarely collaborates with other artists, he says, but was immediately impressed by Boss Tootie’s positive vibe and ability.
“She’s so skillful in her lyrics,” he says. “I’ve been rapping since I was 17 and I wasn’t skilled like that as an artist and she’s only 12.”
Boss Tootie has also had memorable collabs with local artists Nyla’s Way, Lyric B and Bay Area veterans Ad Capone of Totally Insane and CMG of The Conscious Daughters.
“I love the way they sing rap,” Boss Tootie says. “It just sounds really good and it has added a nice little spice to my music.”
Also known as “the Hip-Hop Princess,” the young rapper has made a name for herself performing at showcases and events throughout Northern California, even getting top billing for a number of them. Songwriters and producers also are reaching out wanting her for their projects.
“I’m expanding my music and growing, especially with some people who have been in the music career for a long time,” Boss Tootie says. “I’m picking up traction.”
Editor’s Note:OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer Genoa Barrow directed Boss Tootie’s “Jump” video and co-directed her “Sleep All Day” video.