Multi-platinum, Grammy-award-winning rap artist Marvin Young, or Young MC, known for his hit song “Bust a Move,” will host his first American Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orange Tree Resort located at 10601 N. 56th St. in Scottsdale.

“I’m doing this from the experience of someone who has donated and knows it benefited someone else,” Young said in a press release. “Hopefully everybody will have that experience.”

Young MC has been involved with charitable causes since his twenties. He donates power red (twice the amount of blood) and enjoys learning how his donation helps others.

“I got a card saying my donation helped people in two different surgeries — that moved me,” Young said in the release. “Everybody knows somebody that’s had surgery, given birth or been in an accident. If you know that person and know that person has received blood, and you’ve never donated blood, then you’re in the negative. Every few seconds someone, somewhere needs blood.”

Young MC also stresses the need for African Americans to donate blood so sickle cell patients can be helped.

“I like seeing a donor talk about the satisfaction of donating,” Young said in the release. “I also like seeing a recipient talk about the benefits of the donation, like a sickle cell patient.”

He says donating is relatively easy and he prepares for it by staying hydrated.

As far as his music career, music was his hobby from the age of 11 until it became lucrative. Young MC was signed at the beginning of his junior year in college by the label Delicious Vinyl. He finished his economics degree, graduated from University of Southern California and made a deal with his parents.

“I had the summer to make it in the music industry, otherwise I told my parents I’d go to grad school or get a real job. And then the music took off. Economically, it was the best thing for me to do,” Young said in the release.

Since the hit song, “Bust A Move,” Young MC has sung at half-time shows at sporting events and has been recording and touring a lot.

“I’m doing upwards of 60 to 70 shows a year. My high was 110 shows in 2016. I’m probably going to do 70 this year. Ironically, the people who listen to my music are in the money-spending demographic now. The cherished 35 to 54 age group are fans of hip hop and rap,” Young said in the release.

To sign up for Young MC’s blood drive or one near you, go to redcrossblood.org.