Bio

About The Artist My name is Debra Young, but everyone calls me Debbie a.k.a. Mississippi Queen. I was born to Ora Washington and Earl Washington, on July 22, 1983 in a small town called Belzoni. I attended Humphrey’s County Lower Elementary until 1992. I then attended O.M. McNair where I discovered I had the talent to sing. My first experience singing was at my grandmother's church. I knew then I had the voice of an angel. My mother was a good inspiration in my life. She encouraged me to follow my dreams and also be persistent in my goals. My father played a very big role in my life. He was the one always telling me through my life "You always gonna be someone special in that you are gonna be on a level the world will remember you". The people I looked up to as an artist growing up were Brandy Norwood, because when I look at her I see much of myself, Whitney Houston, P. Diddy, Baby face and Trina. They are also people that inspired me because they always had a positive outlook on life. Throughout my life I had a happy childhood until I attended Humphrey’s County High School. Where I met someone whom I thought was that special person in my life. In 1999, at the age of 16, I got pregnant. I thought that was the down fall of my life, but my mother was there for me to tell me better and to keep the faith. In the third month of my pregnancy my baby's father was incarcerated for eight years. The only people I turned to were my family and a pencil and paper. I turned back into my music as a stronger and better person. My mother always told me, "Don't ever sing for fun - when you sing make it come from your heart,” Throughout my pregnancy my mother, grandmother, and grandfather were there for me, they supported me through hard times and comforted me in the time of need. My father could not deal with the fact that I was pregnant. We never had a chance to have a father and daughter talk. I didn't get the chance to tell him how sorry I was for disappointing him. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in my family when my father was killed at Club Masco in late 1999. My mother was charged with his murder. My father's death and my mother's charge had a big effect on my life as a daughter and a mother. On March 12, 2000 born into this world was a 5 lbs 14.7 oz baby boy name Dewayne Corderius Dabney. My child is a big inspiration in my life. Without my child I would not be at the turning point I am at today in my life. My mother was there with me during the birth of my child. God made it where she could be there when I needed her most and where she could see her first grandchild enter this world. The day before my son's first birthday, March 11, 2001 my mother was sentenced 20 years to life in C.M.C.F. I fell to my knees and asked God, "Lord is this your way of punishing me for my mistakes?" But as time went on I grew to realize that it was all part of God's plan. In April, 2001 I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I quit school to take on a full-time role as a mother to my child, sister, and two brothers. I did what I thought any good mother would do, I got a job and a house where I could raise my family. In late 2001 I decided to get back into my music. My first song was about the things I went through in the relationship with my baby's father, I also talked about young ladies, like myself, who think they are in love but they are only left with a child and become a single-parent in a lot of pain and misery. The only thing you can do is reminisce and try to learn from the things you have done. So when I write my songs they mainly talk about love, pain, and the things I went through in my life. I always put my all in my songs - my all is my heart. Growing up and becoming an adult, I have learned that sometimes you have to sacrifice in order to succeed. My mother always said "When you do something you love and live to do - always do and be the best...be good at it". I have gone through a lot during the 22 years of my life. I have one child and I am very proud of him. I take care of my sister and brothers faithfully. I know God put me on this earth for a purpose and that reason is to sing. I have faith in myself that I will succeed at everything and anything that faces me in my career in the music industry. As a singer I have been motivated to also pursue a career in the rap industry. I am an aspiring rapper too - With my persistence and self-motivation I will accomplish the goals and objectives I am striving to achieve. My talent will not be wasted and I will not go unheard, when one door closes another opens. I have struggle all my life to make it and I am still striving to achieve today. I have been through more in my life than most people go through their entire lives. I don't have many regrets because the mistakes that I have made have given me the opportunity to learn from them. I have always had a 'do whatever it takes attitude' and with my family supporting me I know I can accomplish anything I continue to put my mind to. Like my mother always says "Be the best you can be and you will never lose". I am asking you to give me one chance to show you my talent and that I am an achiever with much success to be found and explored. That's why I have the right to say ''I'm a Hustler''.