Biography

Queen Makedah

Soul Reggae

'Reigning' from the land of Israel, Queen Makedah is an original artist that sings conscious and uplifting lyrics inspired by The Bible and the Psalms of David, over a unique sound that fuses Soul, R&B vocals and traditional Roots Reggae rhythms.

Her musical influences include Luciano, The Legendary Bob Marley & The I-Three’s, Steel Pulse, Desiree, The Abyssinians, Bunny Wailer, Sly & Robbie, Ras Michael & The Sons of Negus, The Gladiators, Ziggy Marley, Queen Ifrica, Queen Omega, Aswad, Earth Wind and Fire, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Wanda Hutchinson (The Emotions), Mable Staples, Chaka Khan, Minnie Ripperton, Oleta Adams, Sade, India Arie, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott.

BACKGROUND:

Queen Makedah lives in Israel, but is a native of Kansas City, Missouri - Jazz Music Central and home of jazz great's Charlie Parker and Oleta Adams. She attended the Charlie Parker Academy of Music and the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

Her vocal influences include Chaka Khan, Tremaine Hawkins, Oleta Adams, Billy Holiday, Sade, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott, Eryka Badu, Mable Staples, Sarah Vaugn, India Arie, Minnie Ripperton and Wanda Hutchinson.

Her Velvety Vocals won her numerous Talent Shows in her hometown and a recording contract with a local record label, Intrepid Records, by the time she was 16. With Intrepid she released her first single, “Makin’ it On Your Own,’ which received airplay in the U.S. and Europe.

She has performed before such prestigious audiences as Blacks in Government (BIG), the NAACP, the Urban League, Freedom Inc., and for numerous weddings, churches and community events.

Her passion for Roots Reggae music was born as a youth during some of the most controversial events of our time, The Vietnam War, Civil Rights and Black Power Movements of the 70's, via the music of The Legendary Bob Marley and I-Three's, The Wailers, Steel Pulse and Third World to name a few.

In the 90’s Queen Makedah, a ‘black jew’ of Ethiopian descent, immigrated to Israel, where her talent as a Roots Songwriter began to take root while collaborating with Brooklyn-born Tuviel ‘Chariot’ Lewis (www.myspace.com/shofarproductions). Tuviel’s original Roots tunes, with a style inspired by groups like The Gladiators, The Abyssinians, Steel Pulse & Aswad, brought forth the inspiration for the lyrics behind tunes like “Healer,” “Lost Everything” and “Lift you Up.” Together, they collaborated with Israel’s famed Roots group, Roots Africa, before the group broke up in 2001.

Queen Makedah and Chariot have been blessed to release two albums and one single on their family label, Oriyah Music. Her freshman album, ‘The Awakening,’ was co-produced by one of Reggae Music's great legends, Ras Michael of the Sons of Negus (called the 'Nyabingi Specialist' by Bob Marley) and received national and international airplay, excellent reviews and support from reggae music fans and dj’s across the globe (see www.queenmakedah.com).

Their second album, ‘Spiritual Healing’ – Self-produced - introduces hot new tracks, like ‘Kadosh’ (The Holy One of Israel), ‘Freedom,’ and ‘Healer,’ which recently one 1st place in a Songwriting Contest at Expression University in Berkeley California. Soon, the Album will be released nationally and internationally and can be purchased now at www.cdbaby.com. Also, they are working on completing their 3rd album, which they hope to record in Jamaica in 2008.

Queen Makedah performs in Israel and Internationally and has a band in the U.S. and Israel.

For bookings, to listen or buy Queen Makedah's music, for concert information, pictures and more visit www.queenmakedah.com, www.myspace.com/queenmakedah, www.sonicbids.com/queenmakedah or write oriyahmusic@aol.com or queenmakedah@aol.com.