Kid Sister

Melissa Lauren Young, born July 3, 1980, in Markham, is an American rapper and singer based in Chicago who performs under the stage name Kid Sister. She is best known for her single "Pro Nails," which features Kanye West, as well as her covert work as a member of the British music collective Sault. Her ethnic background includes African American, Native American, and Caucasian heritage.

Young earned a degree in film from Columbia College Chicago. During her studies, she worked on two independent feature films: the 2002 drama The Guys, starring Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia, and the 2003 film Best Thief in the World, starring Mary-Louise Parker and Audra McDonald. Prior to her music career, she worked for retail chains and local businesses, including Bath & Body Works, a children's clothing store named Little Threads, and Wild Hare, a reggae bar in Wrigleyville.

Kid Sister began her rapping career in October 2006, serving as an MC at monthly dance parties hosted by the DJ duo Flosstradamus, which featured her brother, Josh Young. Flosstradamus was featured on MTV's My Block that same year. In April 2007, she appeared on the cover of URB's "The Next 1000." She subsequently signed with DJ A-Trak's label, Fool's Gold, which released her debut single "Pro Nails." The single was later re-released to critical acclaim after she signed with Downtown Records.

Following her initial success, Kid Sister appeared alongside Pase Rock on the song "WTF" from Tittsworth's debut album 12 Steps, and completed a mixtape with A-Trak. In the fall of 2009, she finished recording her debut studio album, originally titled Dream Date before being renamed Ultraviolet. The album featured production from Rusko, The Count & Sinden, XXXChange, and Brian Kennedy, as well as a collaboration with English singer Estelle titled "First Ladies," a remake of Queen Latifah's 1989 track "Ladies First."

Her album's lead single, "Right Hand Hi," was produced by Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso of the house DJ group Swedish House Mafia. Another single, "Control," was featured in the 2009 music video game DJ Hero, where it was combined with Rihanna's "Disturbia."

Kid Sister released the mixtape Kiss Kiss Kiss in late 2010. In 2014, she released a second mixtape titled Dusk2Dawn: The Diary of Jane Jupiter, which addressed more serious personal subjects. In 2016, she began working on her second studio album with British producer Inflo. She also became a member of the British music collective Sault alongside Inflo and British singer-songwriter Cleo Sol.