Melisa Young better known by her stage name Kid Sister was born January 1, 1980. She is a rap artist based in Chicago, Illinois, best known for her single "Pro Nails", featuring Kanye West.

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Background

Melisa Young was born January 1, 1980 in Markham, Illinois. ^[1] She had a hard life growing up in South suburban Chicago due to her parents' financial circumstances during the 1980s and '90's. Kid Sister started rapping in October 2005, becoming an MC at monthly dance parties hosted by DJ duo Flosstradamus (she is the elder sister of one half of the duo, Josh "J2K" Young), which led to being featured in MTV's My Block that same year. ^[2] She made URB s "The Next 1000" cover in April 2007, ^[3] and was signed to Kanye West's DJ A-Trak's label, Fool's Gold, who released her first single "Pro Nails", which features Kanye West. Kid Sister later signed with Downtown Records, ^[4] who re-released "Pro Nails" to critical acclaim.

Kid Sister's debut album will be released in the upcoming months. "I think a lot of people are going to be surprised with the fact that there's a bunch of raw hip-hop records on there," according to A-Trak. "It's not all up tempo clubby stuff. I think a lot of people are going to be impressed with her growth also because when she made a lot of the records that people have heard by now, she was just starting to rap." ^[5] The album will feature work from producers such as Spank Rock's XXXChange, Trackademicks, Gant-Man, and Diplomats producers Infamous and Develop among others. ^[6] Kid Sister is also working with Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. ^[7]

Kid Sister also appears on Tittsworth's "WTF", from his debut album 12 Steps , with Pase Rock. ^[8] She is also recording a mixtape with A-Trak.

Kid Sister released a song from the album as a free download on RCRD LBL's website. The song is called "Family Reunion" and features rapper David Banner. The website also has a low resolution version of what appears to be the cover of the album.

According to a recent interview with Pitchfork Media, Kid Sister stated that she has finished recording her debut studio album. The title has been changed from Dream Date to a title that she could not disclose yet. She suggests it will be released in Fall 2009. Kid Sister also went on to say that her single "Family Reunion" was dropped from the album along with two others and replaced by five new tracks. The tracks have been produced by dubstep artist Rusko, The Count and Sinden, XXXChange, and Disturbia producer, Brian Kennedy and the album includes a feature with British musician Estelle. The two have already collabrated on a remake of Queen Latifah's acclaimed track, "Ladies First" off her debut album. It is titled "First Ladies". ^[9] She will also be releasing a new single titled "Right Hand Hi", which will be produced by Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso of house DJ group, Swedish House Mafia. ^[10]

Personal life

Kid Sister is currently dating renowned turntablist and Kanye West's tour DJ, A-Trak. ^[11] Her ethnic background includes African American, Native American, and Caucasian. ^[12] In numerous interviews and magazine articles, she has revealed that she has struggled financially for years before becoming Kanye West's protege. ^{[13] [14]} Recently she has admitted to being 215 pounds at one point in her life. She continues in this interview that she has been "thick" her whole life but explains that this has had no bearing on her self-esteem because at her core she is not a passive person. ^[15]

Kid Sister has a degree in film from Columbia College Chicago and worked on two independent feature films, 9/11 drama "The Guys" (2002) starring Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia and "Best Thief In the World" (2003) starring Mary Louise Parker an Audra McDonald during her studies. Kid Sister once worked for beauty giant Bath & Body Works, which she sometimes mentions in interviews and in her creative work.

Discography

Albums

• Ultraviolet (2009)

Singles

Year	Title	Album	U.S. Hot 100	U.S. Single Sales	UK Singles Chart
2007	"Control"	Ultraviolet	—	—	—
2008	"Pro Nails" (featuring Kanye West)		—	21	—
	"Beeper" (The Count and Sinden feat. Kid Sister)		—	—	69
2009	"Get Fresh"		—	—	—
	"Right Hand Hi"		—	—	—

Awards and nominations

• BET Awards
• *2008: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (Nominated)

References

1. Kid Sister on MSN
2. Social Mixers
3. Chicago Kids Do Big Things
4. Kid Sister Signs With Downtown Records
5. A-Trak plans "A Force 2 Recognized" with Kid Sister, strikes gold with new label
6. Kid Sister
7. Kid Sister's 'Dream' comes true on debut
8. WTF feat Pase Rock and Kid Sister by Tittsworth
9. Kid Sister & Estelle remake Queen Latifah classic
10. Kid Sister interview with Pitchfork
11. Kid Sister: High Gloss
12. Kid Sister – Format Mag Interview
13. Kid Sister Photo Shoot
14. Title Unavailable
15. Complex Women Kid Sister