Emmeth Young was born into a family of drummers in the village of Gale's Point Manatee, and began to play when he was eight. Emmeth reminisces about how he used to sneak out of his window at night, to go listen to the village drummers. Since his grandfather was too old to teach him, he learned the rhythms and the art of drum making from a family friend, Mr. Irving Vernon.

Emmeth went on to develop great skill as a drummer, learning the traditional rhythms of his village: Sambai, Kunjai, Bruk Down, Limbo, as well as various West African rhythms. He has sold hundreds of handmade drums to people from all over the world and has performed throughout Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. On his travels, he has played with master drummers from Senegal, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.

Emmeth has committed his life to becoming the griot (oral historian) for his village, preserving the culture and passing it on to the younger generation, providing a positive role-model for the youth growing up in today's turbulent times. "What I really want to do is revive back the culture, because it is fading away," says drummer and drummaker Emmeth. He sees that the children hold the key to cultural survival, and has taken initiative, rekindling the Sambi drum and dance circle at the full moon, calling the children out to participate and enjoy their culture. "The kids really want it, but they can only get it through the elders," comments Emmeth. He has been giving drumming lessons to interested village youths, free of charge, and has taught many of them to make their own drums. At the same time he has been tapping into the knowledge of the village elders, finding teachers for the old songs and dances like the Kunjai and the Bruk Down.