Val Young

Val Young (also known as "Lady V"), is an Urban/Dance-pop artist from Detroit, Michigan, who achieved her greatest mainstream success during the 1980s. She is now based in Los Angeles.

Career

She was discovered by George Clinton, who incorporated her as a background vocalist in 1977 for The Brides of Funkenstein, one of the many acts in his Funkadelic stable. (She was the only original Brides Maid member to continue through Brides' career.) Young appeared on the first single released on Atlantic Records' "Disco To Go". In 1980, she recorded background vocals on the Roy Ayers/Wayne Henderson LP, "Prime Time". 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 the attention of Berry Gordy, who signed her to Motown Records on James' recommendation. James produced two tracks on her debut album "Seduction"("Seduction" and "Piece Of My Heart"), released in 1985, which included the hit 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. ("In My House", which was written for and originally recorded by Val Young, didn't make the final cut for the album, but it was given to the Mary Jane Girls instead and became a hit.)

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. It was not as successful as her debut album, failing to chart and yielding no charting singles, but it received some club support in a number of markets.

Recent engagements

Young joined the Mary Jane Girls in 2005 taking over lead vocals for JoJo. Val Young continues to tour with the Mary Jane Girls, Val Young also recorded her album "The Voice Beyond" with producers Larry "LD" Darrell and Thin C.

She was also friends with Tupac Shakur and the Outlawz. She appeared on "To Live & Die in LA" on "" and "Never Forget", a tribute dedicated to Shakur by former Outlawz member, Napoleon.

Val Young was never a Bride of Funkenstein. She Auditioned for the Bridesmaids and was let go before the Brides went on tour.

Discography

Albums

*1985: "Seduction"
*1987: "Private Conversations"
*2007: "The Voice Beyond"

ingles

* "Mind Games"
* "Seduction"
* "If You Should Ever Be Lonely"
* "A Piece of My Heart"

Guest appearances

*"To Live & Die in LA" (2Pac feat. Val Young)
*"Tear Drops and Closed Caskets" (2Pac & The Outlawz feat. Nate Dogg & Val Young)
*"Do My Thang" (Yukmouth feat. Kurupt, Roscoe & Val Young)
*"Never Forget" (Napoleon feat. Val Young)
*"Hollywood" (Muszamil feat. Triple 7, Napoleon & Val Young)
*"Dont Need None" (Muszamil feat. Val Young & T. Scott)
*"Black Jesus" (2Pac feat. Outlawz & Val Young)
*"Don't Stop the Music" (Unreleased) (2Pac feat. Outlawz & Val Young)
*"Hellrazor" (2Pac feat. Stretch & Val Young)

ources & References

* http://www.billboard.com

ee also

*List of number-one dance hits (United States)
*List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart