R&B crooner Young Steff is definitely a believer.
And the 21-year-old takes pride in making sure others feel
just the same way.
Case in point. After carefully shopping his demo around, Steff's music
landed in the hands of hit-making producer Rich Harrison. Having only
heard of Harrison through his work with Beyonce ("Crazy In Love") and
Amerie ("1 Thing"), Steff didn't know what to expect from him.
Likewise, for Harrison, who only knew of Steff as a stout, teen singer
from the early 2000s.
But when Steff met with Harrison for an impromptu audition, dancers in tow, things quickly changed.
"Unfortunately, talent isn't always a pre-requisite for a superstar, and vice versa but Steff is that rare combination of both a shining stage presence and powerful personality, together with a truly, truly unique voice. This alone already makes him competitive on a world-class level, and he's only 17!
He's something the world has never quite seen before" states Harrision of Steff.
The New Jersey native thrilled Harrison with his syrupy voice and energetic show, having become a seasoned performer by singing at high schools, talent shows, and on the road with his father, who had been part of a gospel singing troop. The multi-platinum then producer promptly offered to sign Steff to his burgeoning Richcraft Inc. label through Atlantic Records. Steff immediately obliged.
"I wanted someone I could be personal with, says Steff of his decision to join Harrison. Because the more personal the producer and the record company are, the better the records. And I wanted to be special this time, so it could be a sure thing. Because I know what I have and I wanted them to know that, too.
The dynamic young performer first got his start crooning alongside
his father as an eight-year-old imitator.
"He'd tell me to hit a note, and I'd do it," recalls Steff, laughing
at the memories. Quickly, Steff took to writing his own songs
and performed one for is father, who was floored at his son's talent.
From there, his father began preparing the young prodigy for a career
in music.
By 11, Steff was hard at work on his first demo, which eventually
spawned "Can I Holla," featuring Bow Wow and was featured on the Like
Mike soundtrack.
The father-and-son produced track caught the attention of a prominent
Philadelphia music insider who passed Steff's demo along to Jay-Z and
Damon Dash of Roc-A-Fella Records. Within a week, Steff was on his way
to New York to audition for the duo.
Although Steff eventually signed with the Roc, the experience was
short lived. Given the chance to either stay with Dash as he launched
a new music venture, or become a free agent, Steff chose the latter.
"Me and my pops were like, 'We're good'," remembers Steff. "So, we
went back to the drawing board."
Steff returned to his hometown of Vineland, New Jersey and began recording new material. Along the way Steff, a once short, pudgier young Michael Jackson look-a-like grew into a young man. Fortunately, his voice and upbeat personality - remained in tact.
On "Thang,Thang," from his steamy, forthcoming debut, Young Steff flexes those elastic vocals over Scott Storch's pulsating club track. In a searing
falsetto, Steff sings of eyeing a cutie: "Your twerk is so crazy," he
croons. "Got me so dizzybrings out the freak in me." He more than
holds his own alongside a featured rapper, who caps the track with a
furious battle rap.
"I'm Feeling," with its cascading piano-tinged production, finds Steff
singing and spitting fly love raps to his girl.
But its on 'Hallway," where Young Steff shows that he's all grown up
now. "I was just having fun with that," he sheepishly admits of the
steamy ballad. "It's just about wanting to see a shorty, that's all."
Having been influenced by his fathers group, Spirit, Steff has a solid foundation most artists his age only hope to achieve. He cites another gospel artist, J Moss, as a major inspiration.
I look up to him as a vocalist, says Steff. Because at the end of the day, as a young artist, I could do a thousand riffs and it wont mean anything. But if a person can growl at you and touch your heart, and say one word to make you feel it, then thats when I know Im doing my job. And thats my whole goal, to make this thing personal between me and my fans. From my heart to another persons heart.
Though things haven't always been easy for Steff, from his first failed record deal to his upbringing in New Jersey ("Where I'm from, nobody is prospering," explains Steff), he's always remained optimisticwhether it's been about career or lifeand hes ready to share that with the world.
"God puts a special gift in everyone, you know?" says Steff, mulling the idea
around his head before finally finishing. "You just got to find out what it
isand then utilize it."
Young Steff is a believer. Are you?
Baby Stay With Me
Young Steff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh girl
Girl understand that im more than just your friend
Im waiting for your love
Please take my hand
Im tired of just words
Can you show me your love is real
Can i show you juz how i really feel?
Oh lady, you are my love baby
Constantly thinking of you daily
Wont you stay right here next to me
Ooh lady, you are my love baby
Constantly thinking of you daily
Wont you stay right here,right here next to me
Girl understand that im more than just your man
Im waiting for your love
Please take my hand
Im tired of just words
Can you show me your love is real
Cuz i wanna hold you
Can i show you just how i really feel?
Ooh lady, you are my love baby
Constantly thinkin of you daily
Wont you stay right here, right here next to mee-eee
To mee-ee, to mee-ee
In the lyrics of "Baby Stay With Me" by Young Steff, the singer is begging for the love of a girl. The girl sees the singer merely as a friend but he wants more from her. He is tired of just words and wants the girl to show him that her love is genuine. He wants to hold her and show her how he feels about her. The singer uses the phrase "Oh lady, you are my love baby" repetitively, emphasizing his desperation to be with her. He tells her that he thinks of her daily and begs her to stay with him.
The song is a plea for love and validation. The singer longs to be with the girl and is tired of waiting for her to reciprocate his feelings. He wants her to take him seriously and realizes that actions speak louder than words. The repetition of "Oh girl" and "Oh lady" highlights the singer's passion and urgency to be with the girl.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl understand that im more than just your friend
I want you to realize that my feelings for you are deeper than just friendship
Im waiting for your love
I am patiently waiting for you to reciprocate my feelings
Please take my hand
I am willing to guide and support you through this journey together
Im tired of just words
I am tired of empty promises, I want to see actions that reflect your true feelings
Can you show me your love is real
I need tangible proof that you truly care for me
I wanna hold you
I want to physically feel your presence and affection
Can i show you juz how i really feel?
I want to express my emotions and prove to you that my love is genuine
Ooh lady, you are my love baby
You are the love of my life, my sweet baby
Constantly thinking of you daily
You are always on my mind, day in and day out
Wont you stay right here next to me
I want you to stay by my side and continue this journey with me
Girl understand that im more than just your man
I am not just a romantic partner to you, I am a person who deeply cares for you
Cuz i wanna hold you
I yearn to embrace you and feel your warmth
To mee-ee, to mee-ee
I want you to be with me, always and forever
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SexiiLaShay
i think this would be the perfect wedding song....im getting married to this next year!!..
@hiphopchick89
THIS IS SOOO SOOTHING AND SWEET, AND IT IS LIKE 90 SLOW JAMS, THIS IS THAT SPECIAL NIGHT KIND OF MUSIC. =)
@laddiidreamz28
he looks cute in dis pic
@xxtamaraxx3015
wow it does have that 90s feel to it
@damischievousdame
i think this would be a beautiful song for a wedding
@MsKLASS2010
Wow Dis Song Make Me Wanna Cry, U Sound Gud I Wish I Kan Hear U N Person
@lexypooh5293
this song sounds so good
@munya500
THIS REALLY WORKS!!!! FIRST put both hands on your chest. (boy or girl) SECOND think of someone you like. THIRD tomorrow that person will ask you out or say they love you. FOURTH Heres the catch, write this to five videos.
@vincentsaliphan2466
Oh man, throw back.
@TheShinefully
I never heard of any young steff here in germany... so dont say that everybody knows him...because I don't ;)