Queen Makedah

Artist Information

Biography

QUEEN MAKEDAH serves up conscious, inspiring lyrics in a unique musical blend, fusing gorgeous heartfelt vocal harmonies to muscular roots reggae riddims spiced with delicious flavors of soul, jazz, r&b and middle eastern music.

Born and raised in the heart of Kansas City's historical 18th & Vine Street jazz district, Queen Makedah's role models were powerhouse vocalists-storytellers such as Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughn and Aretha Franklin. Inspired by such vocal trailblazers, the talented young songstress won a recording contract by age 16.

As a youth during the turbulent '70s in America, Queen Makedah’s passion for reggae music was kindled by the truth-and-rights message and revolutionary sound of Bob Marley and The Wailers and inspired by the soulful harmonies of the I-Threes, reggae queens Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley.

Queen Makedah's songwriting talent flowered during her spiritual sojourn in Jerusalem - her home for over a decade - as she poured the inspired words of Torah, Psalms and Proverbs into her heartfelt music. It was there that she and her musical director Tuviel Levi collaborated to produce two albums as a writing duo, the first album, 'The Awakening,' co-produced by Jamaican rhythm master and contemporary of Bob Marley Ras Michael. Her recent releases include the promo track 'Lay Down Your Guns,' EP ‘Bless Africa’ and 2nd album 'Spiritual Healing.' This year, Queen Makedah will release a series of new singles leading up to her much-awaited 3rd album entitled 'Humble Heart.'

Since touring the US, Queen Makedah has delighted and enthralled thousands of festival-goers, enhancing the lineups of some of the most globally prestigious reggae and world music festivals (including the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, the Northwest World Reggae Festival and the Monterey Bay Reggaefest) and sharing stages with many of the world's best-loved international musical artists.

Last March, West Coast fans poured in to attend Queen Makedah's "Empress Meditations" tour celebrating International Women's Month. The tour, which raised funds for local women's charities, spotlighted the works of conscious female singers and spoken-word artists whose performances address the concerns and historical cultural contributions of women from antiquity to the present.

The talented and experienced musicians in her rock-solid backing band, SHEBA WARRIORS, are led by gifted writer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Tuviel 'Chariot' Levi, whose music captures the essence of the roots reggae rhythm and vibe. Of his studio work in the UK alongside members of Steel Pulse, he says, "being in their presence gave a boost to my writing and production skills through being exposed to their level of professionalism and musicality."

Other members include Herb Daly on bass (Rastafarians, Congos, Ken Boothe), Lou Neuberger on drums (Rocker-T, Edi Fitzroy), harmony vocalist Kellie McCoy (Prestige, Mega Banton, Queen Omega) and KI Nicholas on guitar (onstage with Steel Pulse, Lucky Dube, Junior Kelly) and Melchizedek Levi on percussion (Fanya Allstars, Chief Bey).

For bookings or related questions contact Oriyah Music at queenmakedah@gmail.com. Queen Makedah’s music can be purchased at cdbaby.com or ebreggae.com. For more information, please visit her artist website at queenmakedah.com.

Instrumentation

Queen Makedah - Lead Vocals
Tuviel 'Chariot' Levi - keyboards
Herb Daly - Bass
Lou Neuberger - Drums
Kellie McCoy - Harmony Vocals
K.I. Nicholas - Guitar
Melchizedek - Percussion

Discography

'Bless Africa' EP (2010)
'Spiritual Healing' Album (2010)
'Lift You Up' EP (2009)
'The Awakening' Album (2000)

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• You Tube
• Reverbnation

Audio

• Lay Down Your Guns
  Listen  
• Bless Africa
  Listen  
• Yah Love is King_Live
  Listen  
• Kadosh
  Listen  
• Happy is He
  Listen  
• Freedom
  Listen  
• Lift You Up
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Bless Africa
• Dem Dey Children
• Lift You Up
• Happy is He
• Freedom
• Deliver Us

Video

Queen Makedah MBRF Teach Dem.mp4

LAY DOWN YOUR GUNS by Queen Makedah.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "Makedah and her impressive all-star band really embodied the spirit of the Sierra Nevada World Musi..."Makedah and her impressive all-star band really embodied the spirit of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival; conscious music artists and projects representing influences from all corners of the globe, simmering together on a common ground and bubbling over with all-goodness."

• 'NWWRF: Queen Makedah - Spreading Peace through Voice' by Andrew Creasey, August 17, 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "For most of the set, the music stayed the same: accessible and danceable, infusing R&B, soul and go..."For most of the set, the music stayed the same: accessible and danceable, infusing R&B, soul and gospel into the traditional reggae grooves with little changes except for the tempo and the lyrics. It was Queen Makedah’s voice that came to the forefront of every song. Full of conviction and passion, it ranged from a throaty whisper to an ardent howl.....for Queen Makedah the message of the music is the true goal of performing. Music becomes the medium to transmit a philosophy of peace, respecting your elders and respecting women." 'NWWRF: Queen Makedah - Spreading Peace through Voice' by Andrew Creasey, August 17, 2010, Oregon Music News.

• Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "What is exciting reggae to me? The answer to that is a simple one: music that moves me. When I list..."What is exciting reggae to me? The answer to that is a simple one: music that moves me. When I listen to Queen Makedah sing 'Deliver Us,' I am moved. When Messenjah Selah sings 'Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised at all. The greatest day is today,' I am moved. When Rootz Underground sings 'Power To The People,' I am moved. These are just 3 examples of artists that performed this year that I consider to be 'reggae on its way up...."

• Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "Absolutely LOVED their performances…. incredibly top notch performances by totally wonderful and aw..."Absolutely LOVED their performances…. incredibly top notch performances by totally wonderful and awesome individuals. I surely hope they grace the fans in Texas one day with their special talents."
  

• Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2010
  

  "I was really impressed. The only song all weekend that brought a tear to my eye was 'Deliver Us."

• Bless Africa Review [+ Show ]
  

  “Bless Africa - Wicked x 10. All in all great riddims, great singing, great mixing. High quality ro...“Bless Africa - Wicked x 10. All in all great riddims, great singing, great mixing. High quality roots reagge and reggae mix with soul and r&b. Respect!” Dr.Reggae, Irielion Reggae sites
  

• Lift You Up Review
  

  "This effervescent, life-affirming roots tune has the feel of classic and deserves much exposure."

• Lift You Up EP Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Blending reggae with the traditional sounds of R&B gorgeous lush vocals, Queen Makedah will take yo..."Blending reggae with the traditional sounds of R&B gorgeous lush vocals, Queen Makedah will take you on a vocally adorned journey to the very root of your soul. You’ll love the uplifting lyrics that border on socio-political issues tender to all our hearts. Good stuff."
  

Setlist

Queen Makedah typically performs two 45 minute - 1 hour sets or a 1 1/2 hour to 2 hour set. The following is an example of a typical 1 hour Set List:

1. Bless Africa

2. Lost Everything

3. Lift You Up

4. Yah Love is King

5. Horse to Water

6. Teach Dem

7. Shalom Aleichum

8. Wife of Your Youth

9. I Am Shem

10. Black Rose

11. Lay Down Your Guns

12. Deliver Us

Basic Requirements

Calendar