Deejay Young, a Tampa native and touring cast member of Hamilton at The Straz this past season, sent three chairs turning on NBC’s The Voice Monday night with his falsetto rendition of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work.”
Judges John Legend and Gwen Stefani hit their red buttons less than 20 seconds into Deejay’s performance, with Reba McEntire’s chair turning just seconds later.
The lone holdout, Niall Horan, was effusive in his praise but felt he wasn’t the best coach for Deejay.
Deejay chose Legend, who said the singer had “this beautiful ability to combine the masculine and the feminine in a song.”
Deejay’s stunning performance, which must be seen and heard to be believed, is one more step toward stardom for the Blake High alum. Deejay was part of the monthlong run of Hamilton in January, where he was the swing for the roles of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, John Laurens/Philip Hamilton, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison.
Deejay, 33, first saw Hamilton in 2017 and knew he had to be in the musical. He wasn’t expecting to have to prepare for multiple roles.
“I thought I would never be able to grasp the choreography and lines of different people,” Young said. It soon became second nature.
“I’m so humbled to be able to know not just one role but multiple roles because I love the show so much,” Deejay said, adding that he’s “so grateful to see where I began and where I am now. It’s night and day.”
As a recording artist, Deejay’s discography includes has self-released two full-length studio albums, a live album and two EPs, one of which features holiday songs.
Deejay hopes his career will inspire younger fans who want to pursue the arts.
“Many younger kids are so inspired when they see someone who looks like them on the stage,” Deejay said.
“I never thought I could lead a show or headline my own music,” Deejay said. “I boxed myself in because I didn’t see a lot of representation.”
The cast of Hamilton features mostly actors of color.
“The beautiful thing about this show is that it gives people opportunities to be seen that typically wouldn’t be seen elsewhere,” Deejay said. “It’s definitely a privilege when people say, ‘It was such a pleasure to see someone who looks like me up there.’”
Deejay lives in Orlando but Tampa remains a huge part of his past and present.
“I just want Tampa to be proud,” Deejay said. “I’ve done so many things within this Tampa community. I want people to see me in this show and just be proud that I am putting Tampa out there in a positive way.”
Mission accomplished.