biography

Queen Makedah’s music inspires compassion and knowledge that can lead to a more unified world. ” - DJ Sista Irie

The Conscious Party, 88.7 FM KAZI (Austin, Texas)

Background

Jazz, R&B, Gospel infused Reggae

Makedah was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, in a humble part of town near the 18th and Vine historic jazz district.  This area was famous for its barbeque, jazz and blues music, frequented by such greats as Duke Ellington and home of famous saxophonist Charlie Parker and the legendary Count Basie and Lester Brown.  

 

Makedah’s vocal influences range from the jazzy vocals of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn, to the sweet gospel harmonies of Wanda Hutchinson & The Emotions and the sultry R&B of Phyllis Hyman, Minnie Ripperton, Cheryl Lynn and Roberta Flack.  Following the lead of such vocal trailblazers, the talented young songstress won a host of local talent shows and a recording contract with Intrepid Records by age 16. 

As a youth during the turbulent 70’s in America, Queen Makedah’s passion for reggae music was kindled through her mother, a veteran of the Black Panther Party, who introduced her to the truth and rights message and revolutionary sound of the legendary Bob Marley and The Wailers, backed by the soulful harmonies of the I-Three’s reggae queens Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley. 

Makedah brings all of these influences to her vocal style and music today.

Live Performances

Stellar reviews!

Since touring the U.S., Queen Makedah has shared the stage with reggae greats like Don Carlos, Sister Carol, the Twinkle Brothers, The Rastafarians, Winston Jarrett, Rootz Underground, Bambu Station and Groundation at some of the most celebrated world music festivals in the world, including the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF), the Northwest World Reggae Festival (NWWRF) and Monterey Bay Reggae Fest (MBRF) to name a few, plus Groundation’s Marcus Garvey Tribute Celebration at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz - Earning her high reviews:​​​​​

‘Queen Makedah thrills the crowd with charisma and vocal bravado,… infusing R&B, soul, and gospel into traditional reggae grooves,…spreading peace through voice.’  Andrew Creasey of Oregon Music News (Northwest World Reggae Festival)

Queen Makedah’s live performance was highlighted at the center of United Reggae Magazine’s review of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival:  

“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.” Jessica Dore, United Reggae Magazine  

For more reviews or to watch videos of live performances, see the EPK:

EPK

Discography

About the Music

Makedah’s talent as a songwriter began to bud in Israel, out of which her freshman album ‘The Awakening' arose, co-produced by veteran nyabinghi specialist Ras Michael (a contemporary of Bob Marley)  and the Sons of Negus.  

She has since co-produced a sophomore album ‘Spiritual Healing,’  from which her Youtube hit video ‘Yah Yireh’ emerged, an EP entitled ‘Bless Africa’ released during the crisis in the Congo, and her much anticipated 3rd album ‘Peace Process,’ in response to the plague of gun violence in America.  

This summer (August 26th single release / August 28th video release), ‘Clean Hands (Psalms 24)’ - Queen Makedah’s exciting new video single filmed in Israel and directed by award winning videographer Noam Chojnowski - is due to hit the airwaves.  To read more about this new work, visit the Clean Hands page.

Women for Peace Tour

Empress Meditations

Through her former California non-profit, Empress Meditations, Queen Makedah worked to bring recognition to women in reggae and world music, while raising donations for charity.  The ‘Women for Peace’ tour visited Sebastapol, Nevada City, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Berkeley, Pacifica, Point Richmond’s Summer Concert Series and Oregon’s Northwest World Reggae Festival, plus aided A Safe Place, Oakland’s oldest shelter for victims of domestic violence.  

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