By Richard Pérez-Feria / Photography by Mike Ruiz

Superstar DJ, producer, mixer and record label owner Tracy Young is so much more than the sum of her parts. It’s time the world finally pays attention.

To describe Tracy Young as a DJ, it’d be like saying Tom Ford dresses nicely. The answer is “yes” to both statements, of course, but it’s woefully inadequate in capturing the essence of these two supernovas’ magnificence. We’ll leave Tom Ford’s genius for another day—though I remain obsessed with his Cherry Smoke fragrance—and, instead, let’s give this affable musical titan her flowers. Something that’s way, way overdue.

Tracy Young is more than just a Grammy Award-winning electronic music DJ; she’s nothing short of a cultural icon who’s worked with the biggest names in music and continues to enthrall and captivate her global audiences. Her unparalleled talent and innovative spirit have solidified her place among the legit legends of the music industry. And, yet somehow...I rarely hear her name bandied about by that still all-boys club of headlining DJs with their high-roller paychecks and jam-packed Vegas Strip residencies. Yes, make no mistake, there’s nothing but love for the likes of Tiesto, Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Diplo (even Pauly D and Bravolebrity James Kennedy), but make no mistake, what Tracy Young has accomplished in her decades of spinning and mixing music is unprecedented. But do you ever hear her name mentioned in the same sentence as any of the beat bros above? Exactly.

With a career spanning more than a quarter century, Young hasn’t only performed at the world’s most prestigious venues and events but has also produced remixes for megastars including Madonna, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Cher, Pink, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Kylie Minogue, Kelly Clarkson, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Céline Dion, Lady Gaga and on and on. (She’s worked with quite a few male artists as well including Enrique Iglesias, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin and more).

The wonderfulness of a Tracy Young musical set is that each one is crafted as a unique journey, an immersive experience that transcends the ordinary and elevates the very art of DJing to new heights. I witnessed (is that the right word?) the magical spell she casts on unsuspecting dancefloors first-hand at the celebrity-filled premiere bash for Madonna’s and Rupert Everett’s film, The Next Best Thing. Let me put it this way: The party, entirely because of Young’s expert, infectious beats, was about a million times better than the dud of a movie. The one thing I remember about the approachable DJ that evening—Young had taken the night off from her regular sold-out gig at red-hot South Beach nightclub Liquid co-owned by Ingrid Casares (Madonna’s BFF) and nightclub impresario Chris Paciello—was how nice she seemed. Yes, the music was unbelievable, and it sent your heart racing, but the joy on Young’s face as she worked her magic in that DJ booth, the permanent smile on her lips, made this talented human being...different. And in a sea of thump-thump-thump, hey-look-at-me-I’m-a-DJ-too rhythmic mediocrity, different is good, friends. Very, very good. And it’s memorable.

Tracy Young’s influence extends beyond the turntables, as she has become a trailblazer in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and women's empowerment within the music world. Her work is a testament to her belief that music can be a powerful force for change and unity.

Beyond her DJ/producer/remixer hats she wears; Young is a legit record industry executive as owner of Ferosh Records. The fact that this remarkable woman has racked up some 60 No.1 Billboard Dance hits—she’s collaborated with more than 100 vocalists, 14 times with Madonna alone—she won a Grammy for Best Remixed Recording for Madonna’s “I Rise” marking the first time a female producer had been nominated and won in the category. Trailblazer doesn’t begin to cover it.

Who says the most talented among us have to be miserable in the process of making art? Tracy Young is here to tell you that you can be the best at what you do and still be someone people remember and genuinely love. Now, that’s something to smile about. This VIP DJ is more than OK with me.

I’m sure you don’t remember me at Madonna’s The Next Best Thing party you DJ’d (I came with Tara Solomon and Tom Austin), but you were on fire that night. South Beach was rockin’! Wasn’t that one of your first gig outside of your perch at Liquid nightclub?
The Next Best Thing movie premiere event. That was one of the first events that Madonna selected me for. However, I had been DJing for 12 years prior and started in radio at WPGC in Washington DC. I was doing the club circuit there.

Given the totality of your incredible collabs and experiences, in the quieter moments do you ever tell yourself, ‘Wow, I’ve lived the coolest life?’
Absolutely! It’s impossible not to reflect on those quieter moments and feel a deep sense of gratitude. From working with legends like Madonna and Stevie Nicks to opening for Cyndi Lauper’s farewell tour, and celebrating two Grammy nominations and one win, it’s all been surreal. Even beyond the music, the connections—like meeting incredible people while touring, celebrating my brother’s achievements, and creating new projects with dear friends—remind me how lucky I am to have lived such a unique, vibrant life. It’s those memories that make me pause and think, Wow, I’ve been blessed beyond belief and continue to do what I love!

Tell me about the earliest days when you were the resident DJ at the Hill Haven Nightclub in Washington, DC in your early 20s. Fun or intimidating?
Oh, the Hill Haven Nightclub—that was such a defining chapter in my early 20s! It was a mix of fun and intimidating, for sure. It was my first weekly residency in Washington DC. It was fun because it was all so new. I loved being able to experiment with different sounds and see what got the crowd moving. But it was also intimidating because, at that age, I was still finding my footing as a DJ. I felt the pressure to not just keep people dancing but to make a name for myself in a city like D.C., where the music scene was fiercely competitive. I had to learn how to read the crowd, command the room, and trust my instincts—all while figuring out who I was as an artist.

Looking back, those nights taught me resilience, creativity, and how to truly connect with an audience. Plus, there’s something magical about cutting your teeth in a hometown club—it was the perfect launchpad for everything that came after.

Your decades-long friendship and working relationship with Madonna has produced some memorable—some may say timeless—smash hit records. Tell me about that relationship (including playing at her wedding to Guy Ritchie in Scotland) and what work are you most proud that came out of that partnership?Madonna has a brilliant mind and an unmatched ability to push boundaries, which has always inspired me to give my absolute best. It truly a compliment to continue to work together after all these years! I respect her vision as an artist to want to work with new people.

As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, how gratified are you that your contributions to the advocacy of fairness and dignity in this vital human rights struggle are also so much fun to dance to? Fighting the good fight with killer beat.
As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s deeply fulfilling to know that my music not only brings joy to people but also contributes to something larger than myself. Music has always been a powerful form of expression and connection, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can uplift, empower, and unite people. Fighting for fairness and dignity, especially in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights, doesn’t always have to be heavy—it can be celebratory, defiant, and vibrant. For me, creating music that brings people joy is my way of giving people a soundtrack to their strength and resilience. It’s about channeling the energy of the dance floor into something that affirms who we are and what we stand for. Seeing people dance, smile, and feel free while knowing that the music also carries a deeper message is one of the greatest rewards of my career. It’s proof that joy and advocacy can coexist, and when they do, they create something truly unstoppable.

Is there a dream collab you’d love to do? Personally, I’d love to see Taylor Swift’s entire discography (Tracy’s Version). Are you in? I mean, “Welcome To New York,” “Cruel Summer” and “Bad Blood” for starters. I mean...too good.
That’s an amazing idea! Taylor Swift’s music is so versatile and full of emotional depth—it would be an absolute dream to put my spin on her tracks. Remixing “Welcome To New York” with a bold, dance-heavy NYC vibe, or giving “Cruel Summer” a darker techno edge, sounds like such a fun challenge. And “Bad Blood”? That could become a club banger with the right build-ups and drops.

What about you—do you imagine them as pure dancefloor anthems, or something with a fusion twist? Let’s brainstorm some dream remixes together! Hey Taylor, I am here and ready!

Another person we both have in common, is our mutual friend—and celebrity photographer extraordinaire—Mike Ruiz. Is there anyone more fun to work and hang with? And the images of you for this issue of PhotoBook are incredible, as I knew they would be.
Mike is truly one of a kind! We have a lot in common, for example our love for animals and dogs! I am usually very uncomfortable in photoshoots but am very unrestricted with Mike. Not only is he insanely talented, but his energy is unmatched—he makes every shoot feel like a celebration. I’m so lucky to call him a friend and collaborator. And thank you so much for the kind words about the images—Mike has this incredible way of capturing people at their absolute best. I’m thrilled to be part of this issue of PhotoBook!

Finish this sentence for me... Tracy Young is...
Tracy Young is real. What you see is what you get!!

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Tracy Young
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Interview by Richard Pérez-Feria
Hair: Tina Marie Zaccagna
Makeup: Jarél Arin
Photo Assistant: Dani Sax
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

She Got The Beat: Tracy Young

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