Val Young
Val Young (born Valaria Marie Young; June 13, 1958) also known as "Lady V", is an American recording artist from Detroit, Michigan, who achieved success during the 1980s. She is now based in Los Angeles.
Val Young | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Valaria Marie Young |
| Also known as | Lady "V" |
| Born | June 13, 1958 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Funk, Disco, Hip Hop Soul |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Motown, Amherst Records |
| Associated acts | Rick James, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Outlawz, Nate Dogg, Teena Marie, The Gap Band, Mary Jane Girls |
Career
She was discovered by George Clinton, who hired her as a background vocalist in 1977 for The Brides of Funkenstein,[1] one of the many acts in his Funkadelic stable. In 1980, she recorded and toured with Roy Ayers. Young became a background vocalist for The Gap Band the same year and was featured with the group on the funk classic hit "I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Up Side Your Head)". She recorded five albums with the group and also toured with them.
It wasn't until she met Rick James that she became popular. James promoted her as the "Black Marilyn Monroe" and brought Young to Berry Gordy, who signed her to Motown Records on James' recommendation. Rick James produced her debut album Seduction[1] which was released in 1985, it included the singles "Mind Games" and the title track "Seduction", as well as "Piece of My Heart" and "If You Should Ever Be Lonely", which were successful follow-ups in 1986.
Rick James ran into serious conflict with Motown over the status of his spin-off acts and Young subsequently left the label signing to Amherst Records, a Buffalo, New York-based label, releasing her second album Private Conversations in 1987. Three tracks from this album were produced by Rick James with the title being released as a single.
Young went on tour with Bobby Brown in 1988 after he released his Don't Be Cruel album and she was in high demand for performing live & recording background vocals for several artists: Bobby Womack, Kurtis Blow, Dr. Dre, Wayman Tisdale, Snoop Dogg, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Yo-Yo, El DeBarge, Miki Howard, Gerald LeVert, Teena Marie, 2pac, MC Eiht, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Eddie Murphy, Teddy Riley, Michael Bivins of New Edition and many other artists.
Young appeared in the songs "To Live & Die in L.A.", The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, "Black Jesus", "Teardrops & Closed Caskets", Still I Rise and "Never Forget", a tribute dedicated to Tupac Shakur by former Outlawz member Napoleon.
In 2009, she was featured as a background singer for Raphael Saadiq in his PBS televised concert Live From The Artists Den.
In 2013, Young sang backing vocals on Eddie Murphy and Snoop Lion's single "Red Light", she also appeared in the official music video. In 2014, Young began touring with Candice "Candi" Ghant and Farah Melanson as the new lineup of The Mary Jane Girls.
In 2019, Young partnered with entertainment manager, Lawrence "youngBiz" Dixon, to revamp her and The Mary Jane Girls' career. Young, Ghant and Melanson plan on touring and releasing new music in 2020.
Discography
Studio albums
- Seduction (1985)
- Private Conversations (1987)
Singles
- "Mind Games"
- "Seduction"
- "If You Should Ever Be Lonely"
- "A Piece of My Heart"
- "Private Conversations"
- "Don't Make Me Wait"
- "Stop Doing Me Wrong"
Guest appearances
- 1988: "Don't Cha Wanna Be Loved" (from the Mixmasters album Mixmasters)
- 1990: "LovelyLittleLady" (from the Glenn Medeiros album Glenn Medeiros)
- 1991: "I Adore You" (from the Tone Lōc album Cool Hand Lōc)
- 1992: "I Want U 4 Me" (from the Big Bub album Comin' At Cha)
- 1994: "Situation: Grimm" and "Ask of You" (from the Epic Records Soundtrack Higher Learning)
- 1994: "The World In My Hands (We Are One)" (from the Snap! album Welcome to Tomorrow)
- 1995: "Mirror Mirror" (from the Smooth B album One Million Strong)
- 1995: "Neighborhoodsta Funk" (from the Poppa LQ album Your Entertainment, My Reality)
- 1995: "Smooth" (from Tha Dogg Pound album Dogg Food)
- 1996: "Never Leave Me Alone" (from the Nate Dogg single "Never Leave Me Alone")
- 1996: "To Live & Die in L.A." (from the Makaveli album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory)
- 1997: "Dirty Hoe's Draws" (from the Nate Dogg album G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1: Ghetto Preacher)
- 1997: "Four Seasons" (from the Infinite Mass album Alwayz Somethang)
- 1997: "Hellrazor" (from the 2Pac album R U Still Down? (Remember Me))
- 1997: "Nowhere 2 Hide" (from the DJ Pooh album Bad Newz Travels Fast)
- 1997: "Will I Rize" (from the Death Row soundtrack Gridlock'd)
- 1998: "Choppin up That Paper" (from the Do or Die album Headz or Tailz)
- 1998: "In California" and "Only For U" (from the Daz Dillinger album Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back)
- 1998: "Just Another Day" (from the Nate Dogg album G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2)
- 1998: "Y Do Thugz Die" (from the Luniz album Lunitik Muzik)
- 1999: "Black Jesuz", "The Good Die Young" and "Teardrops and Closed Caskets" (from the 2Pac + Outlawz album Still I Rise)
- 1998: "C'est la Vie" and "Money" (from the Gonzoe album If I Live & Nothing Happens)
- 1998: "Change Gone Come" (from the Snoop Dogg album Smokefest Underground)
- 1999: "G-Spot" (from the Warren G album I Want It All)
- 1999: "Thicker than Water" (from the MC Eiht album Section 8)
- 2000: "Black Rain" and "When I Go" (from the Outlawz album Ride wit Us or Collide wit Us)
- 2000: "The Truth" and "Hit Me on the Hip" (from the Richie Rich album The Game)
- 2000: "West Coast Lowrider" (from the Frost album That Was Then, This Is Now, Vol. 2)
- 2001: "Personal Business" (from the Bad Azz album Personal Business)
- 2002: "Noble Justice" (from the Young Noble album Noble Justice)
- 2003: "Do My Thang" (from the Yukmouth album Godzilla)
- 2003: "What's A Pimp?" and "Don't Act Like That" (from the Too Short album Married to the Game)
- 2004: "Makavelli Never Lied" (from the Teena Marie album La Doña)
- 2004: "Never Forget" (from the Mob Life Records compilation On the Grind)
- 2005: "California" (from the RBX album The Shining)
- 2005: "One Night" (from the Jay Tee album The Thousandaire)
- 2006: "Hollywood" and "Don't Need None" (from the Muszamil album Reparation Is Due)
- 2006 "FREE" (from the DUB B album "The SeaReal Way)
- 2010 "Got To Be SeaReal" (from the DUB B album "Fruition)
Unreleased
- "Street Life" (Unreleased) (Prince Ital Joe, Snoop Dogg, and 2pac)
See also
References
- Wynn, Ron. "Biography: Val Young". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
