Pride Month 2020: Lesbian icon and DJ Tracy Young's 'See The Sky' with Anabel Englund is an ode to freedom
In celebration of Pride Month 2020, Grammy Award-winning producer, mixer, DJ, composer and owner of Ferosh Records, Tracy Young, has teamed up with singer-songwriter Anabel Englund for a new remix of Englund's track 'See The Sky', an ode to the desire to be free.
Young began her career in the late '80s, DJing at frat parties at the University of Maryland before landing a gig as the resident DJ at the Hill Haven Nightclub in Washington, DC. As she completed her Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication, Young was also gradually branching out into a radio career, beginning as an intern and working her way up to music director, before leaving to become Interscope Records' Southeast Regional Promotions Director in Miami. Following this, her career as a DJ took off, and Young found herself brushing shoulders with some of music's greatest, including Sean Puffy Combs, Russell Simmons, Cher, and Ricky Martin. It was during this phase that Young was introduced to Madonna.
The two met while Young was a DJ at a party celebrating the launch of Madonna's film, 'The Next Best Thing', and developed a deep friendship in addition to a professional relationship that would result in 14 of their collaborations topping the U.S. Billboard Dance Club charts since they began making music together in the '90s. In 2019, Young won a Grammy for Madonna’s 'I Rise', marking the first time a woman was nominated and won in the producer/remixer category, since its inception in 1998. To top it off, Young is also the first self-identified lesbian to win a Grammy in the best-remixed recording, nonclassical category for her edit of Madonna's song (Tracy Young Pride Intro Radio Remix). Of course, that she accomplished both feats via a song that stands as an anthem for empowerment is nothing short of poetic.
Her successful career, however, is more than one win alone. Young has racked up over 60 Number 1's on U.S. Billboard Dance Club's charts and remixed for over 100 musical artistes and worked with a wide range of talented women in the industry over the last few decades, including Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks, Idina Menzel, Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Cher, Shakira, Pink, Rhianna and Lady Gaga – a reflection of Young's views on the industry.
A member of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, Young has spoken openly about the obstacles women face in the music industry – especially in music production and remixing. "It's just hard for women to breakthrough in this industry," Young tells the Advocate in January. "It's just very male-dominated and I think it has always been that way."
'See The Sky', in addition to being a perfect summer track, has Anabel Englund's effortless vocals deliver a wonderful, sun-kissed melancholic tune that reflects our dark times. With the addition of Young, the song becomes just as fit for the dance floor as it is for dancing alone in quarantine, with '80's influenced keys, Latin-inspired drum builds, and sweeping production taking it to a whole new level.
Speaking of the collaboration, Englund shares, "I’m thrilled to have Tracy remix my song. I’m a huge fan of her Madonna remix so for her to put her talents on ‘See The Sky’ is a huge honor. I hope this brings another level of enjoyment for her fans everywhere."
The song itself asks some very important questions, including, "Where would I go if I could fly?" and "Where would you go if you were free?" These are tough, hard-hitting questions, but they somehow sit perfectly against the backdrop of a song that makes you want to let go and simply be. But where the original is a relaxing tune fit for a day at the beach or cruising down the highway under the warm sun, Young's remix is something you'll want blaring through your speakers as you enjoy the city lights at night.
'See The Sky' will feature on Englund's upcoming EP, in addition to 'So Hot' and the title track 'Messing With Magic' in collaboration with Hot Creations label head Jamie Jones.