Kay Young is a rising London-based singer/songwriter, emcee, and producer. Back in 2019, Young caught the attention of Jay Electronica on Instagram. Jay Electronica passed some of her short beat videos to friend and collaborator Jay-Z. Before she knew it, she’d been flown out to Los Angeles and signed to Jay-Z’s management company Roc Nation. She has complete creative control of her work from songwriting to production while effortlessly moving between spitting fiery bars and soulful vocals. And throughout, her work is thoughtful, uplifting and playful while drawing from and exploring dance, jazz and soul.
Young’s debut EP, 2021’s This Here Feels Good was written during pandemic-related lockdown and features material that thematically explores familial legacy and cultural relations. The EP was released to critical applause and was supported with opening slots for Jay Electronica, Masgeo and Corrine Bailey Rae, as well as festival sets at The Great Escape and We Out Here. The rising London-based artist was featured on Blue Note’s compilation album Re:Imagined II, breathing new life into Marlena Shaw‘s “Feel Like Making Love.”
In her native UK, she has received airplay from BBC 6 Music personalities Chris Hawkins and BBC Radio 1‘s Huw Stephens, as well as BBC 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, recording a live session at Maida Vale. She also performed a star-studded performance of “White Teeth on BBC 4’s Other Voices 20th Anniversary show.
The rising London-based artist starts off the year with “The Way You Look At Me,” the first bit of new material since the release of This Here Feels Good. Rooted in a Motown-era soul-inspired groove with a big brass section paired with Young’s coquettish and self-assured delivery (which sees her alternate between crooning and spitting bars) and an infectious hook, “The Way You Look At Me” tells a classic tale of falling in love with that pretty young thing on the dance floor — but with a modern twist. The song is just a fun, carefree and coquettish bop that captures exactly what young love feels like — new, exciting, hopeful and a little crazy.
Directed by Dylan Hayes, the accompanying video features the rising London-based artist and her backing band performing the song in late 60s-early 70s-styled garb and in front of psychedelic-tinged backgrounds. They all look like they’re about to perform on Soul Train back in about 1972 or so.
Young’s forthcoming, sophomore EP is slated for release later this year. Be on the lookout for more news.