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Tracy Young, Madonna's Favorite DJ, Is Breaking the Grammy Glass Ceiling


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This article has such a cool interview featured with Tracy Young. Tracy talks of how she's already won a Grammy (see why below). She talks on her mentor, Madonna, too.

Tracy Young, Madonna's Favorite DJ, Is Breaking the Grammy Glass Ceiling

Tracy Young has made herstory as the first woman nominated in the category of Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the Grammy Awards.

For Young — who has spent more than 25 years in the music industry, and who was recognized for her Pride radio remix of Madonna's "I Rise" — the nomination is "overwhelming."

"First of all just to be recognized, I feel like I won already," she told The Advocate in a recent interview. "If I do win, that would just be a bonus."

A win for Young would also be a major victory for women and LGBTQ people. For Young's entire career in the music industry, the lesbian DJ has worked in a field dominated by mostly straight men — particularly in music production and remixing.

This lack of representation reflects itself in her category. Since the Grammys first launched Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical in 1998 (that year, the trophy went to Frankie Knuckles, the "Godfather of House Music"), not a single woman has received a nod — a span of over 20 years.

"It's just hard for women to break through in this industry," Young said. "It's just very male-dominated and I think always been that way."

Young's commitment to her craft is one of the reasons she was able to have a breakthrough. She has worked to create remixes of hits by over 100 top artists, including Lady Gaga, Cher, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and Madonna, with whom she has 14 collaborations. Over 50 of her tracks have reached the number 1 spot on the Billboard Club Chart Hits. 

"Music for me is not an option. That's the only thing I know how to do. So it has to work for me," Young said.

Young points to a number of factors that need to be addressed in order to tackle this disparity at the industry level. One, those in power in the artists and repertoire department — essentially, talent scouts at music labels — need to look beyond the "usual suspects" like men in creating a remix.

Mentorships are also key to breaking into this field — and one of the reasons women have been encountered hurdles to entry. Young counts one of her own mentors as key to her beating the odds.

"Madonna has been a huge supporter of my music and my career," Young said. "I'm not sure if I would have been able to break in without her."

"You would think in 2020 there would be more women in the forefront. It's going to take those secure men that aren't threatened by a powerful woman to hire those people," Young added. "Look at Madonna. She gets beat up all the time for being a strong woman and having a mind of her own. They don't give her an easy time, but it can be done."

Madonna has been a longtime role model for Young. The pair met around 25 years ago through a mutual friend, Ingrid Casares — an out club owner and ex of Sandra Bernhard's who was memorably featured in Madonna's Sex book kissing the pop icon.

At the time, Young, who got her start DJing frat parties at the University of Maryland, had been trying to find work in Washington, D.C. But all too often, she would be told by club representatives, "You're a girl. Girls don't DJ." However, Casares agreed to pass on Young's demo tape — on a cassette, in those days — to the pop icon. She did. And Madonna was impressed.

"Madonna liked the girl DJ," Young said with a laugh. "Then my career just blew wide open."

Young would go on to DJ the premiere party for Madonna's film The Next Best Thing and then her wedding to Guy Ritchie. The pair have been creative collaborators ever since. In fact, when it was announced Young would be receiving a Grammy nomination, Madonna texted Young. She told her she was proud of her.

"She's super sweet," Young confirmed. "I know she probably doesn't want people to think she's sweet, but she's sweet."

In fact, Young's remix of "I Rise" would be the only Grammy nomination featuring Madonna's name from the icon's latest album, Madame X. Although critically praised, it was snubbed by the Recording Academy — yet further evidence of bias in the music industry toward women of a certain age.

Yet this bias is not contained to the straight world. Young also says members of the LGBTQ community may be unappreciative of the icon's contributions to music and the movement. "She basically opened a can of sexual freedom for the world to see," Young said. "I don't think she gets the credit for what she's done for the gay community."

Of course, anyone who undercuts Madonna is ignorant of history. The Advocate ranked the "Vogue" singer as the greatest gay icon in a 2012 cover story, which chronicled her many contributions: her liberation of sexuality in pop music, her activism during the AIDS crisis when most celebrities were silent, the impact of gay visibility in her Truth or Dare tour documentary, and her ongoing fight against stigma. She won a GLAAD award for her lifelong allyship last year.

It's fitting, then, that "I Rise," which Young remixed, is Madonna's love letter to LGBTQ people. “I wrote ‘I Rise’ as a way of giving a voice to all marginalized people who feel they don’t have the opportunity to speak their mind," Madonna said about its release on the eve of WorldPride last year. "This year is the 50th anniversary of Pride and I hope this song encourages all individuals to be who they are, to speak their minds and to love themselves.”

For Young, the ability to collaborate with such a legend and be part of her history leaves the DJ momentarily speechless. "I couldn't be happier that it's a Madonna song that I was nominated for and to be part of her legacy. I have no words for that," she said.

That her remix of "I Rise" has become a staple of Pride's playlist is also important to Young, who has spent her career spinning music at Pride celebrations around the world. "Music is Pride," Young declared, citing anthems like "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" by Sylvester, "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" as integral to festivities. She pointed to C&C Music Factory's "Pride (A Deeper Love)" as a personal favorite.

"The gay community has always come together on the dance floor in celebration of music," Young said. "When we have those songs and they come on, it's like we're free."

However, Young, who has had a front-row seat to Pride, from the AIDS crisis to a post-marriage equality world, has seen a disappointing change in the annual event that began with an uprising at the Stonewall Inn.

"In recent years, [Pride] is more of a party and I think that we've lost sight of some of the messages that we were fighting for in the earlier days," Young said. "We've made progress, but sometimes I think the message is lost, at least from my vantage point."

"I don't think people know the history anymore," she added. "We do drag, but people don't know why they do drag or where it came from. That part makes me a little sad."

Happily, Young is herself now officially part of LGBTQ history. The city of Miami Beach declared December 11 to be Tracy Young Day, in celebration of the artist's contributions to the music scene of South Florida, where she presided over much of the nightlife. "I'm gonna cry. It's just amazing," Young said of the proclamation. "All the hard work is finally paying off and it's been 30 years."

However, Young also recognized that success takes a village, and she expressed thanks to those who supported her throughout the years to help her rise.

"You don't get to become a Grammy nominee overnight. It takes a lot of work and a lot of perseverance, especially as a woman," Young said. "And I feel like if I could think every person who has been on this journey with me to get to this point, trust me, I would."

"I'm just a girl from Virginia with a love for music. And to have made history and to be Grammy nominee for a Madonna song [tells the world that] if you have a dream and you go for it, you can do it."

Listen to the Tracy Young Pride remix of Madonna's "I Rise" below.

 

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meh
Except "Easy Ride" all her remixes for M just unlistenable. (for others artist i also don't remember one good) lol
Her remix for "I Rise" is bad , even Offer Nissim with his "all the same" sound a way better.
And grammy should win someone who did better remix . not because its woman who did remix for woman in the name of pride  :pop:

 

these two like from another level from basic Tracy sound
Lincoln Barrett - The One (High Contrast Remix), performed by Jorja Smith
Luc Bradford - Swim (Ford. Remix) performed by Mild Minds

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  • 3 weeks later...

Another interview...

From Madonna to Breaking Gender Barriers: Grammy Nominee Tracy Young Opens Up

Since the best remixed recording, non-classical category was introduced in 1998, over 80 producers have been nominated — all of them men. That’s just one reason Tracy Young broke down in tears upon learning she had received a nod this year for her remix of Madonna’s empowering anthem “I Rise.”

The DJ-producer came up in the Miami scene, in time becoming Madonna’s go-to party DJ and ultimately producing over a dozen official remixes for her. Having survived what she calls the “extremely” misogynistic ’90s dance scene, Young reflects on her pioneering nomination and what it might mean for her community.

What do you think makes a Grammy-worthy remix?

This category is somewhat technical; that’s why I’m so fascinated and excited about the nominees this year — these are all really well-produced songs. In the past, I think it [was] more of a popularity contest — they were big radio records.

You’ve remixed pop stars, but you’ve managed to strike a balance between the mainstream and underground.

For me, the goal is always to keep the integrity of the song. I’ve always felt that radio and commercial appeal is super important; that’s what sells music, and that’s how people have lifelong careers. I like the idea of being on the radio and also being played in a club. I think if you can reach that balance, you’ve done a good job.

Your first official remix for Madonna was of 2000’s “Music.” How did you start working together?

The first time I met her was at a nightclub in Miami called Liquid. Victor Calderone was DJ’ing, and she was there. My good friend Ingrid [Casares] introduced me, and that’s where it started — she passed a lot of my [DJ cassettes] on to Madonna. She told me they would run on the beach to my demos. Then, she started hiring me for parties.

What do you make of your nomination?

I’ve seen more and more female engineers in the studio, and I think moving forward, we will continue to be recognized. This field was and still is mostly dominated by men. But it is changing. I’ve definitely seen more women DJs, and hopefully, more women will come forward and start producing. I have hope.

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28 minutes ago, somethingscomingover said:

I figured she would.  I knew they wouldn't air her winning though.  In fact, I'm a little shocked how they already announced some of the country awards won.  I would have thought Best Country album and/or Best Country Song would have aired live.

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Here is Tracy accepting her award, thanking Madonna specifically:

I won't hold my breath, but is it possible this win can gain Madonna's song, "I Rise" some attention if not the Madame X album?   I'll be curious if there will be an uptick in sales on either the song or the album, this week?

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Tracy Young on Her Historic Grammy Win and What Madonna Texted Her After

1/28/2020 by Katie Bain

As the first woman to ever be nominated for best remixed recording, non-classical, Tracy Young had already made history before the Grammys started on Sunday. When she won, Young's name was offically engraved on both her award and the notoriously male-dominated world of dance music.

Winning in a category first introduced in 2001 and beating out fellow artists including Wuki and Soulwax, Young was awarded for her edit of Madonna's "I Rise," with the collaboration marking a high point in the long working relationship between the two women, as Young has been one of the pop icon's go-to remixers and DJs since they met at a Miami nightclub in the late '90s. (Young even DJ'd Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie in 2000.)

Taking the stage during the pre-telecast awards this past Sunday, January 26, in a hot pink power suit, Young gave a teary speech honoring her supporters, fellow artists and the dance music community. "We made history, ladies," she said. "I want to thank Madonna for all the recogniation and opportunities over many, many years. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to you. I want to thank my LGBTQ family friends and music lovers who have supported my career from the beginning, and in closing, I want to thank the Recording Academy for recognzing this work. We've shattered the glass ceiling...together in a male dominated industry. I proudly accept this on behalf of all female producers who have been overlooked."

Here, Young recaps her historic Grammy win. 

First of all, congratulations.

I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe it.

Take me through the whole day.

I got up super early. They don’t televise the category, and I had to be at the arena around noon. I quickly ran down the red carpet, went in and sat down and waited for them to announce my category.

Were you nervous?

Oddly I wasn’t, because I felt like I had won already and to win the actual statue would have been a bonus. Being recognized on this level has meant everything to me as a woman in this business.

What happened when your category was called?

I must’ve been two miles from the stage. It felt like the walk was forever, and then I broke down and got emotional. I just feel like this [win] is for women. Moving forward, I think this represents everything changing for women. It’s our time.

I imagine your phone started blowing up.

I didn’t know so many people had my phone number. I have 200 text messages on my phone. The amount of support I’m receiving is just overwhelming.

What were some of the standout texts?

Well of course I texted Madonna, because she’s been somebody that I’ve not only aspired to be like as far as being an artist – she’s always pushing the envelope and growing and learning – but the remix was of her song. She texted back right away like, “Congratulations!” with a bunch of emojis. She’s happy. She’s super proud. She’s been an amazing support and has given me a lot of opportunities.

We’ve spoken before about how this was a full circle moment for you two, as Madonna helped give you your start and now you’ve had this win together.

That’s what made this even more special, and the song being such an LGBTQ driven song and last year being the 50-year anniversary of Stonewall. It just feels perfect to be nominated for this song. Winning is just the bonus.

So you win, you give your speech and then you’re escorted offstage. What happens then?

They take you back, and then you have the opportunity to thank people you may have forgotten, which was great because you don’t have much time up there. And then you get your picture taken with the Grammy, and then you do an interview, and then you move to another section where you answer questions from the press and then you’re free to go! You can go back into the ceremony or leave and wait for the live function.

What did you do?

With all the Kobe stuff happening, we chose to leave and see what was happening outside, because it was so sad outside the arena. My brother was with me and he’s a huge basketball fan and wanted to pay his respects and feel that moment. Then we grabbed something to eat and went to the live ceremony, and then we went to the afterparty. I was in bed by 10:30.

How was the afterparty?

We watched Gloria Gaynor, and she was just fabulous. I was just exhausted at that point. We mingled and danced a little, and I didn’t want it to end. But everything comes to an end, so we went back to the hotel, and I woke up today pinching myself.

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