"Hey Young World" did not reach the same level of success as "Children's Story", reaching number 42 on the Hot Black Singles chart and number 17 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

A sequel of sorts was created by Macy Gray for her album The Id in form of "Hey Young World (Part 2)."

It was also sampled by the Lost Boyz for their single "Love, Peace and Nappiness."

The song was also covered instrumentally by jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney on his album Mystikal (2005).

The song was also covered on Fashawn's debut album Boy Meets World.