Tracy Young has built a reputation as one of clubland’s hottest remixers with a slew of Billboard #1s featuring Madonna, Cher, and Lady Gaga, just to name a few. Earlier this year, she announced she would be shifting her focus to producing original music, and now, as her first works begin to emerge in time for Pride season, Young is showcasing a spectrum of musical styles.
One of her original tracks SCOPA is a tech house track with a dark, driving rhythm that sounds like the sequence track for an action film. On the flip side are Young’s celebratory tracks, the underground sounding Get ‘Cha There and throw-your-hands-in-the-air Pride anthem, Let It Go. Both mark Young’s first ever collaboration with legendary dance diva, Suzanne Palmer. The duo created both tracks in a single studio session in Chicago this past winter.
Young celebrates 25 years behind the turntables this year. She credits a large part of her early success to Miami’s Ingrid Casares who introduced her to Madonna in the mid-nineties. Since then, Young has released seven albums and racked up 48 #1 Billboard club hits.
“From my empowering anthems and remixes for over 100 artists, my goal has always been to send positive messages of peace, love and music for everyone,” she says.
You’re now producing your own original tracks. Why is this important for you?
It seemed like a natural progression for me. I have made a career out of remixes and would like to challenge myself creatively in a different way.
Tell us about your experience working with Suzanne Palmer.
Working with Suzanne Palmer has always been in my career playbook as I admire her professionalism and talents. Unfortunately, our busy schedules never allowed the chance to sit in the studio and focus, but I am glad this past January we could take advantage of being in Chicago at the same time to lay down vocals and create two fantastic original tracks in one studio session.
Once she got into the booth to demo Let it Go and Get ‘Cha There, we knew we had created something fantastic. We will “get ‘cha there” honey!
What have you learned over the course of your DJ career?
Knowing how to handle rejection and hear the word “no.”
You’re closing out the Capital Pride Sunset party on June 10. What is your favorite thing about playing at Capital Pride?
First of all, it’s my home and where I grew up. It’s always emotional for me to play in front of the capital for LGBTQ rights and gay pride. I think about how far we’ve come as a community although we have more to do. I try to remember the reason we have these celebrations. It is truly an honor. It also doesn’t hurt to close the stage after superior talent like Miley Cyrus and Meghan Trainor. I am a fan of this years headlining artist, Alessia Cara.
What other Pride celebrations will you be participating in this year?
At the moment, I will be playing in Toronto at the Green Space Festival and New York at the Ritz Bar and Lounge.
What’s your favorite venue to play?
No. 3 Social in Miami, FL.
Besides working on your new music, do you have any other projects you’re working on?
I’m working on collaborating with several artists, and I’ll be making an announcement in the next few months.
What can fans expect from you in the next 2 – 3 years?
Music. Music, music, and more music!
