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.

For the New Zealand athlete, see Valerie Young.
Val Young
Birth nameValaria Marie Young
Also known asLady "V"
Born (1958-06-13) June 13, 1958
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresR&B, Soul, Funk, Disco, Hip Hop Soul
Years active1977–present
LabelsMotown, Amherst Records
Associated actsRick 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

Unreleased

  • "Street Life" (Unreleased) (Prince Ital Joe, Snoop Dogg, and 2pac)
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See also
  • List of number-one dance hits (United States)
  • List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References
  1. Wynn, Ron. "Biography: Val Young". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
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