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Singer/songwriter Dave Young has been flourishing behind the scenes as a songwriter for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Letoya Luckett and Faith Evans. Now, after touring alongside Blige as part of her Breakthrough tour, Young is ready for the spotlight as the marquee artist on Blige’s Matriarch label. Check out our interview with him below

How did you get your start as a songwriter?

I started writing after I got dropped from a deal, I began as a member of a group. I began writing because I needed to make some money.

Do you write all your music? If not, roughly what percentage of your songs do you pen?

I usually write alone, however, I have a crew “The U” that I work with now. We came together for my Bed Bangerz Vol.1 mixtape, which shows people another side of me. I am very excited to this mixtape out and I hope people thoroughly enjoy it because we put in work on this.

Who are some artists you’ve worked with?

Mary J Blige – “MVP”, “No One Will Do”, “Baggage”, “Alone”

LeToya Luckett – “Torn” and the whole “LeToya” album with the exception of two songs

Dave Hollister – “Keep Lovin You”, “Tell Me Why”

Talib Kweli – “Never Been ”

Snoop Dogg – “Waste of Time

Faith Evans

Toni Braxton

Was making the transition from songwriter to singer a part of your overarching blueprint or did it occur by happenstance?

I was a singer at first so it was more like a re-transitioning. Making the transition from a songwriter back to a singer was weird. After being absent from the stage after many years, to going on tour (Mary J’s Breakthrough tour) with 15,000 people staring at you, feels crazy but I loved it.

What sets you apart from other R&B male acts?

What sets me apart as an artist is my understanding of how to deliver a song depending on if its Soul, Pop or R&B. I study music, so what I bring to table is 100% genuine, its me through song. You can get so much from my music and I look forward to sharing my voice, talents with the world.

How was the partnership between you, Mary J Blige and her label Matriarch formed?

I began working with Mary on “The Breakthrough” album, which turned out great. Her work ethic is crazy and I learned so much from watching her. During those recording sessions we just connected from the very beginning; writing for her is like writing for myself. She signed me after she heard a record I did and she started crying and was like: ‘I want you to be apart of Matriarch.’

What should the people know about Dave Young?

People should know that Dave Young, is real. I am a football fanatic, love the Dallas Cowboys. I am goofy as hell because I believe you have to laugh a lot in life. I love to sing and teach folks what I know about music. I want to do it all in music, there is more to me than just music which is the most important thing that I would want folks to know.

Who are your musical inspirations?

My musical inspirations are Donny Hathaway, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Usher .

What’s next for you?

What’s next for me is my forthcoming freshman album, which set to come out soon. I will continue writing and performing. I have also considered the acting thing but I don’t yet.

Finish this statement: In the next five years Dave Young will be…

In five years I will be singing, writing and performing, doing it all. And ultimately, I will be wherever God leads me to.

Click Here To Download Dave Young’s Bed Bangerz Vol.1 Mixtape

Sounds like a winner to us — are y’all checking for Dave Young?

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