Interview with Melissa Young

JazzandSoul : At this moment there are not too many people over here who have heard about Melissa Young. How would you like to introduce yourself and your music ?

Melissa : I would like to introduce myself by simply saying, what you see is what you get with me'. My music is truly a reflection of moments throughout my life. Me and my music both hate boxes, so please do not put us in any. I really would like for people to know that I'm really just a girl, a girl who is sharing her thoughts, hopes and dreams.

JazzandSoul : You seem very proud of your Southern roots. In which way do you think it has been an influence on your work ?

Melissa : I am very proud of my southern roots. I love the south. I had time to really relish in my childhood growing up in the south. I think growing up there influenced the way that I write and the way that I interpret what I see from day to day. You know, the kind of things that end up in a poem or a song. Life tastes amazing in the south. The weather is also amazing too.

JazzandSoul : A lot of new soul and R&B artists are firmly choosing to stay independent. Is this also the case for yourself, and if so, why ?

Melissa : Well, we worked really hard on the project, but it is my first project. I am still growing and learning as an artist. I am proud to say that. The day that I stop growing and learning, is the day that I will stop doing what I do. I just think that with the musical climate that we are in now, had I signed to a major, my project wouldn't be what it is. It would have been horrible for someone to say to me that this project was a flop because it didn't sell 500.000 copies the first week of release. So for those reasons alone, I stayed independent. At SugaShack music (the independent that I'm attached to), their motto is 'nurturing talent, not manufacturing it'. Nurture ... there is something special about that word ... something about it feels loyal.

JazzandSoul : On the booklet of your CD, I read a 'thank you' to all your ex - boyfriends. This topic also comes along a few times in your lyrics. Has this truly been such an important experience in your life ?

Melissa : HAHAHA!!! YES!!! It relates to the most important lesson I ever learned in my life. I thanked them all because the ones that treated me well, helped me define how I wanted to be treated by people that I allow in my life. The ones that treated me badly, helped me define how I didn't want to be treated. Some people read that and think it's a dig at my ex - boyfriends, but it's really not. I try and steer clear of the negative. Being treated badly and good in relationships, taught me how to love and appreciate myself unconditionally and relentlessly. Someone once told me that they didn't do anything to me that I didn't let them do. It was the most accurate statement I'd ever heard and it changed my life forever. The fact is that these are some people who do not mean us any good, and they know as they approach us that their intentions are not honorable. I've had experiences like that, and I just wanted to acknowledge that I made it thru and I found a way to grow and take something positive from the experiences.


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