“Young” by Stalk Ashley was produced by Jaxx and KINGBNJMN and written by Stalk Ashley alone. It was released as a single on 6 December 2019 through Atlantic UK, with the recording copyright held by Warner Music UK Limited. Apple Music’s credits add guitarist Nicolas Groskopf, who plays the solo that closes the song.
Here is every verified credit for the original single, its acoustic version and its video, plus where the song has been reissued.
“Young” credits at a glance
- Artist: Stalk Ashley (vocals, lead vocals)
- Songwriter: Stalk Ashley (sole composer on Apple Music; sole writer on Genius)
- Producers: Jaxx & KINGBNJMN (as listed on Genius)
- Production and engineering on Apple Music: Benjahmin Singh-Reynolds (producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer); Darren Rojorn Jack (producer, engineer)
- Guitar: Nicolas Groskopf
- Label: Atlantic UK; (P) and © 2019 Warner Music UK Limited
- Release date: 6 December 2019 (single)
- Length: 2:29
- Music video: directed by Luke Biggins & Capone, shot in Jamaica
The producers: Jaxx and KINGBNJMN
Genius credits “Young” to the production pairing of Jaxx and KINGBNJMN. Apple Music lists the production team by full names instead. Darren Rojorn Jack is credited as producer and engineer, and other releases on Qobuz credit him as Darren “Jaxx” Jack. Benjahmin Singh-Reynolds is credited as producer and also handled mixing and mastering, so the finished sound of the record came from a very small team.
The partnership with Stalk Ashley did not end in 2019. The Jamaica Observer reported that her 2024 single “Senseless” with Skeng and Kraff Gad was produced by Jaxx and Kingbnjmn. So “Young” was the start of a partnership that carried on well beyond her early singles.
The songwriter: Stalk Ashley
There are no co-writers on the credits. Apple Music lists Stalk Ashley as the only composer, and Genius names her as the only writer. For an artist who was still building her name in 2019, that matters: the attitude of the song comes straight from her pen. We explain that attitude in our guide to what “Young” means.
The guitar solo
The most distinctive musical moment on “Young” is the ending, when the beat falls away and an electric guitar takes over. Rolling Stone pointed to that drumless guitar finale in its December 2019 write-up. Apple Music credits the guitar to Nicolas Groskopf, who is also listed on the acoustic version.
Label and release details
“Young” came out on Friday, 6 December 2019. Apple Music identifies it as an Atlantic UK release, names Warner Music UK Limited as copyright owner, and files the single under R&B/Soul with an explicit-content tag.
It marked a shift in how her music reached the public. Her earlier 2019 singles, “Sin Sex” and “Drunk Text”, carry a Khorder Music Group line on Apple Music, and her 2018 duet with Jada Kingdom, “Wasteman”, carries a Jaxx & Staxx line. “Young” is the earliest of her own singles there to carry an Atlantic UK line. Atlantic UK also released “Incognito” with Alkaline in 2020 and the EP Excuses, Pt. I in 2021.
Other versions and appearances
Young (Acoustic) [Bona Carter Series Vol. 1]
On 31 January 2020 Stalk Ashley posted Bona Carter Volume 1 to her YouTube channel, a stripped-back session with guitar and keyboard. An audio release, “Young (Acoustic) [Bona Carter Series Vol. 1]”, followed as an Atlantic UK single on 14 February 2020. It runs 2:45. Apple Music credits the same core team, with Darren Rojorn Jack adding piano and Nicolas Groskopf back on guitar.
Reggae Gold 2020
VP Records put “Young” on its annual Reggae Gold compilation, released on 28 August 2020. It sits at track 12, between Potential Kidd’s “Jump Pan Mi” and Konshens’ “Nah Leave U”, on a tracklist that also features Koffee, Beenie Man, Spice and Bounty Killer.
Not on her EP or album
“Young” was a standalone single. It does not appear on Excuses, Pt. I (2021) or on her debut album Stalky the Bratt (2024). Our music page covers the full discography.
The video credits
According to both Clash and TRENCH, the official video was directed by Luke Biggins and Capone and shot in Jamaica. It was posted on Stalk Ashley’s YouTube channel on release day. For the storyline and how it was received, see our breakdown of the “Young” music video.
Lyrics
You can read the full lyrics on Genius, which also carries the song’s writer and producer credits. For her other songs, head to the lyrics hub.
If you like “Young”, you’ll love…
- “Senseless” – Stalk Ashley, Skeng & Kraff Gad (2024): the same production duo, five years on, in a much harder style.
- “Summer 16” – Stalk Ashley (2021): a song she also performed in the Bona Carter Volume 1 session.
- “Come Over” – Jorja Smith feat. Popcaan (2020): another UK major-label record where R&B and Jamaican rhythm meet.
Frequently asked questions
Who produced “Young” by Stalk Ashley?
Genius credits Jaxx and KINGBNJMN. Apple Music lists Benjahmin Singh-Reynolds (producer, mixing and mastering engineer) and Darren Rojorn Jack (producer and engineer).
Who wrote “Young” by Stalk Ashley?
Stalk Ashley is the only credited writer. Apple Music lists her as sole composer and Genius lists her as sole writer.
What label released “Young”?
Atlantic UK released it on 6 December 2019, with the recording copyright held by Warner Music UK Limited.
Who plays guitar on “Young”?
Apple Music credits Nicolas Groskopf on guitar, on both the original single and the 2020 acoustic version.
Who directed the “Young” music video?
Clash and TRENCH both report that the video was directed by Luke Biggins and Capone and filmed in Jamaica.
Sources
- Stalk Ashley – Young Lyrics and credits – Genius
- Young – Single by Stalk Ashley – Apple Music
- Young (song credits) – Apple Music
- Young (Acoustic) [Bona Carter Series Vol. 1] – Single – Apple Music
- Reggae Gold 2020 by Various Artists – Apple Music
- Queen Hill – Projexx (credits) – Qobuz
- Stalk Ashley collabs with Skeng, Kraff – Jamaica Observer
- Stalk Ashley’s ‘Young’ Is The Perfect Introduction – Clash
- Stalk Ashley Stirs Caribbean Influences Into Her R&B Sound On Head-Turning ‘Young’ – TRENCH
- Stalk Ashley’s ‘Young’ Video Is an Ode to Staying Single – Rolling Stone
- Stalk Ashley – Bona Carter | Volume 1 (YouTube)
