Up and coming modern pop artist Sofia Young released her debut single “In Red” on November 26. “You sound great. My Goodness, thank you for sharing. This is your first song!? I hope you feel really proud of this.” Commented Brian Joseph, Grammy award winning producer who has worked with Bon Iver and the Frey, after hearing an exclusive preview of Young’s song.

“The song is a modern pop/R&B ballad that uses the rich context of the color red and history of red lips in female empowerment to tell the story of a woman coming into her own power, refusing the confinements of society through her image.” said Young. 

Young is an upcoming and fresh artist with a voice and purpose to share her experience, emotions, knowledge, and perspective with the world. She is currently working on her second single to be released the first quarter of 2022 and is expected to release her debut album the second quarter of 2022. 

She has been singing most of her life, beginning at age five when singing Bon Jovi on a family stage, to taking piano lessons from that same young age. However, it wasn’t until age 12 that she started taking music seriously and began writing songs about her family situations and mental health. 

Now at age 18, Young desires to share songs ranging in topic from intersectional female empowerment to emotionally wrenching battles with depression and self-discovery through loving herself and being loved by someone else. Always choosing the right time to be outspoken, she will be heard. 

She is graduate of an Atlanta area high school. Currently dedicating her time to creating music and perfecting her craft. Young is 18 going on 19 and has so much to say. Already independent, she works full-time to support herself and her dreams, working towards the goal of committing all her time to music. She’s an aspiring humanitarian, philanthropist, and wants to have an impact on society at a political level. She wants to use her influence to advocate for others. 

What’s your story as an artist?

My story as an artist began at 12 years old living in a toxic home, blaming myself for the problem between my family members, and internalizing all my emotions. I already was singing so I tried my hand at songwriting to relieve my other thinking and complex emotions. I take to writing and expression through music. So my artistry is honesty, as I’ve grown, my story expanded to expressing love and self-love and world issues and history. My story is somewhat the cliche of the “troubled yet outspoken artist”.

What inspired your latest release?

My latest release was conceived in a conversation with the creator of Simply Artistry before a photoshoot for her red lipstick campaign. I wanted to create a song about female empowerment for the campaign. I didn’t want it to be surface-level though so I researched the history of red lipstick and articles about the Suffragette Movement came up and the centuries deep history of red lipstick adorning powerful female figures, from Ancient Egypt’s Cleopatra to modern day’s Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. This is what inspired the story in my song of a woman coming into her power and refusing the constraints of society. 

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

I get inspired by stories and poetry, by the wordplay and imagery. I also get inspired by physical art like paintings and sculptures because there is always a story behind or within these works. 

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?

I was working with my long-time vocal coach, Lewis Ray, as he doubles as a producer. I had just presented him the final lyrics to the songs and we were figuring out the final melody and he started playing the piano and just playing these magical and completely improvised chords and I was just so taken aback by the effortlessness that I like audibly gasped and made a face. I don’t think he notices, but I look back and laughed at my response. 

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

I find that I write the most and best when I’m tired and just letting my mind flow to different places at night. So, I would say at night, in the dark, and in my bed is when I’m most creative. I either use my notes app if I’m inspired by something I’m thinking about or I keep my notebook right next to my bed just in case I really have something to say. 

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

Lemonade by Beyoncé came out when I was thirteen years old, I was already a diehard fan, and I dissected it. I admired the vulnerability and honesty within the writing and the diverse but cohesive genres and musicality between the songs. It’s a masterpiece and I would like to emulate that level of creativity and honesty in my art. 

Who is an artist or band do you look up to today?

Is it redundant to say Beyoncé again? Her career is incomparable; the longevity, the expertise, the consistent improvement, the work ethic, the poise, the respect, the creativity, the message, the discography, the everything. She is the unmeetable standard for me and for many. I would also say Harry Styles because of how he treats others, how he expresses himself, and his kindness. His music is also so inspired but original and I feel like my music is and will be similar to that.  

What excites you the most about what you do?

The excitement is really in so many parts of the process. But, I would say what excites me most about what I do is sharing with other people. I like to share what I love doing with other people. Whether it’s collaborating with someone on a song or sharing my songs/experiences with others or sharing my voice and performance with a crowd. I like the community of it all. I’m excited to create and share more!

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?

My view on genres and music styles is that genres are definitely becoming less defined in modern music and that’s amazing. I like to use the sounds and styles of music that feel right at the moment or emulate the emotions of the lyrics the most. I believe art is ever-changing and it’s counterproductive to put labels on it. I might have a song that is upbeat with disco elements because I want to evoke a happy carefree narrative, but then I might have a song that’s more saddening and thought-provoking so I use acoustic instruments, which creates a singer-songwriter sound, neither sound defines my music or artistry as a whole. 

What does music and art mean to you?

My music and art are so near to my heart and soul that I was scared to share it for years. My music has been my outlet for as long as I can remember and I have been thinking about releasing music for years and never had the guts to do it. I had a problem with being vulnerable. My music is a part of me that not many had seen before and I finally feel comfortable and confident enough with myself to share it. 

How would you describe your act in one word?

Empowering