Young M.A (Brooklyn NY)

Brooklyn's history as a bastion of progressive, young hip-hop talent, both past and present, remains unchallenged with the entrance of 23-year old Young M.A into the musical arena; a female voice whose work manifests itself as a triumphant reminder of music's ability to uplift. The Brooklyn MC has been exploring her talents since the age of nine, but her undeniable skills were first shared with a major audience in 2014, when her "Brooklyn (Chiraq Freestyle)" video began garnering more than one-million views on YouTube. In a valiant example of spiritual determination, Young M.A chose not to give credence to the original source of the video - a cynical detractor who shared the video along with his negative and hateful commentary - and now the visual is basking in more than 3.8 million hits. Young M.A is stepping out of the realm of viral sensation and into bona fide artistry, beginning with her latest release ‘SleepWalkin,’ out now & available for free download. Young M.A has no shortage of early believers. This year, fans celebrated her appearance on Statik Selektah's "Murder Game," track, which provided her with a momentous unveiling alongside New York Hip-Hop stalwarts Smif-N-Wessun and Buckshot. 2015 has continued to be a watershed year, with Young M.A.'s recent performance at Mobb Deep's historic B.B. King's 20-year anniversary tribute show in celebration of The Infamous, introducing her to a vast swath of new fans. In addition, stage appearances at Duck Down Music’s annual SummerStage BBQ and Webster Hall's weekly House Party event, alongside FunkFlex and Just Blaze are making her a mainstay in the city. Having already presented video features with Vice's Noisey, 50 Cent's ThisIs50, and Revolt TV, in addition to radio appearances on Hot 97 with FunkFlex, Lisa Evers, SiriusXM segments with Kay Slay & Tony Touch, the anticipation for her forthcoming release is rising considerably. Those closest regard her talents as extending beyond music; skills recognized by Oscar-nominated ‘Precious,’ director, Lee Daniels and Grammy-winning producer Swizz Beatz, who strongly recommended M.A for a role on Daniels' sensational, award-winning television show ‘Empire.’ With an eye on her music career, Young M.A respectfully opted out of involvement. Guided by her profound faith, the burgeoning artist represents Red (Repent Every Day) Lyfe, a movement driven by a higher purpose, but embodied by those, like Young M.A herself, who aim to rise above the trivial and focus on individuality. Openly lesbian and proud in her identity, Young M.A's own personal growth is certainly a source of great inspiration. Childhood experiences playing football with the boys provided her with an early exercise in toughness, while the horrific shooting death of her brother at a painfully young age was an overwhelming tragic loss that she has used as the inspirational undercurrent for the creation of RedLyfe, in what is a powerful revelation of fortitude.For more information on Young M.A visit http://www.youngmamusic.com/ and follow her on instagram @HennyNHoes.