The Queendom

I’ll never forget the moment I realized how much I really liked The Queendom.

Humbled, they’d just taken their performance spots on stage. Untangling wires, introducing themselves and scoping the crowd, they prefaced their set with “we cuss, a lot”…and proceeded to do just that.

You can judge me, but from that point on, I was hooked.

AUDIADASOUND and Rocket Rhonnie are both Atlanta natives who joined forces in 2016. Since then they’ve taken the Atlanta music scene by storm with various local performances they hope will lead to global recognition. Skilled in music production and audio engineering, these local Queens are more than just your average lyricists. What’s drawn me to the group is their unconcealed connection (to each other and their audiences) exceptional stage presence, and catchy vulgarities that enhance bodied verses.

The team came together for The Early Show’s 3 Year Anniversary showcase at Union EAV on January 19, 2017 and rocked it. The set just wasn’t long enough and it was a tad darker than we would’ve liked but it was too dope to pass on sharing.

Check The Queendom perform a new track below.
https://youtu.be/9rdPVp6Jlfs - She Slants

The Early Show is held every first and third Friday at Union EAV. The Early Show is an intimate show that highlights up and coming artists typically of the indie genre. The beauty of The Early Show is that it is not limited to just indie artists. Artists that could be classified as rap, funk, soul, or R&B, just to name a few, made appearances. When you first walk into the Union, where The Early Show is hosted, you walk into a bar type of setting. To the left, there is a bar that extends roughly 30 feet. A wide variety of alcohol is served.

The space is very open and flows very well. The actual show takes place upstairs in a very intimate setting that allows for the audience to really connect with the performers. Don’t let the intimacy fool you into thinking that the show may be calm or even remotely boring. This show got just as lit as if there were 20,000 people in the room. All that energy in a smaller space makes for a thrilling experience for both the audience and the performer. It is almost as if you are on stage with the artist!

The audience was very positive and receptive to the artists. There was a genuine sense of love and admiration for each artist that performed. Everyone seemed to know everyone, and nobody is opposed to getting to know you or making you feel comfortable. One of the key things that set The Early Show apart from mainstream shows and music is that everyone is truly all about the music. There are no games and no gimmicks. The artists come as they are which allows the crowd to fall in love with the actual artistry of the music. As opposed to what has been popularized in today’s music scene which seems to be based off what an artist may have or possess instead of what they can do artistically.

One of the standout artists that caught my attention was the dynamic duo that is Queendom. This rapping and singing party of two consists of two friends who met at Georgia State University where they each formerly attended. When asked what they would categorize their music as they described it as Hip Hop. Shockingly the group has only been performing together for six months. From the way they vibed with each other and had the crowd moving, you would never be able to tell. They each overcame their fear of performing, to do what appears to be their calling: music. They want to be inspiring through their music and hope to empower others.

The group is versatile! Not only do they sing and rap, they also produce their own music. The group has high aspirations; they see themselves going straight to the top and so do we, here at The Odyssey. Queendom wasn’t the only standout act that performed. P.U.R.E, a Brooklyn native who now resides in Atlanta performed with his group SQUADGLOBAL. Which consists of P.U.R.E, Kaedus Hines, John AVE, and others. When they hit the stage almost everyone from downstairs came upstairs to watch the show. The energy was amazing and the crowd was loving every minute of It! P.U.R.E and the squad he rolls with are rappers, and good ones at that. When our team caught up with him and another rapper YODA, we got to know a lot more about the man behind the name. The P in P.U.R.E stands for passionate. As for the rest “Ill figure it out as I grow up” he said when asked about the rest of his name, which is a dope concept if you ask me. P.U.R.E, much like The Early Show, itself is all about the music and making good art. The rapper compared today's rap scene In Atlanta to the New York rap scene in the 90s. “The opportunity to make music is so easy in Atlanta. In the 90s in New York, if you couldn’t rap they would tell you to get the fuck out.” He has a point. There are a lot of gimmicks and temporary rappers who are here today and gone tomorrow. Microwave rappers who are put on because they can sell a single and not because they can actually rap.

The Early Show was full of versatile acts. Whit of the band, Peachtree Dish is no exception. Whit has been performing for about 7 years, and is a frequent performer at The Early Show. Whit’s silky smooth voice cascaded over the horns and piano he was singing over to create the perfect blend of a soulful funky harmony. When asked about how he maintains his voice he replied, “I mostly just sing in my car, maybe the occasional chorus warm up but mostly singing in my car. If there is silence I will use my voice to fill that void.” Must be nice to be able to sing in your car and be on key! Whit’s mother was a musician so I guess you could say it runs in the family. Some of his major influences are Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Talking Heads, a bit of Pink Floyd, and his mother.

These were only a few of the artists that graced the stage at The Early Show. The Early Show was jam packed with talented artists from singers, to rappers to bands. The Early Show is honestly and truly the definition of chill vibes while at the same time keeping it lit. - The Odyessy

The Queendom, an Atlanta Hip Hop/R&B duo, presents the debut visual for their smash single Queenshit and they do just that. Sexy, impactful, and in your face are some of the words that come to mind when watching this new visual. Art should always push forward in an era where nostalgia and complacency rule and establish the status-quo. In our mind, this is exactly how music videos should be.

Queenshit is a title for any actions that are royal in nature, but that does not mean these women are prissy and prim. They have an edge and continue to push boundaries in the effort to overturn long-standing social norms. The Queendom paints a full picture of womanhood, showing that women are multifaceted and dynamic.

As it stands, there is a lack of representation and cohesiveness in the female hip hop community. Here, The Queendom has included many talented female creatives in this project such as Beau Joli, Alexandrea Lushington, and Sharia Amor. The Queendom brings something needed to the industry, and we welcome it with open arms.

Check out the official video for The Queendom's single Queenshit below.

https://youtu.be/2OAWvpI3E6c - Plasma Magazine

​Atlanta should be known for the city of multitasking. As an Atlantan, I can speak on our behalf... We can't drive unless we are eating a chicken ranch wrap from Cookout, we can't stand in the checkout line unless we are gossiping about what we hearrrrdddd, and we certainly can't listen to real music, stunt on hoes, and catch a vibe if you're not doing so at the laundry mat. Now let me explain what's missing in your life...
​Laundry Day is an amazing event curated by the dynamic twin duo, Dopenorteria, in collaboration with Nicoli Demar. Together, they bring out some of the best talent Atlanta has to offer. Opening 2018 with a bang, they hosted the sixth Laundry Day at Brite Bubbles, a local laundry mat located smack dab in the middle of the city. With my experience in the industry, EVERYWHERE is a venue! Your backyard, the local coffeeshop, Grandma's house... all I'm saying is you better get your coin wherever you can!

​This particular lovely Friday night featured sounds from my personal fav DJ Lachii, smooth vibes from Cooley Savant, the tone of "We ain't taking no S*#$ from the queens of Queendom, and the pure dopeness that oozes from Eli Lefty. This was the official lineup but the building was nothing short of talent. The show featured other artists and many artists were in the building showing all the love because we often forget in these creative circles "Family First."

​One thing I loved about this bunch, is the open realness. Both Queendom and Eli Lefty lead with powerful testimonies. Queendom shared a moment about being robbed and how she didn't let that break her spirit. Disregard how scary the experience and sad that grown men stood and watched offering no aid, she was still able to take the stage and channel that emotion and bossup with her other half. Eli Lefty shared with us moments of learning to trust and his goals of pouring into others for 2018.

​If you were in the audience that night, I hope you left empowered by the camaraderie of young creatives paving their own way. We live in a world that sometimes makes us believe that we have to live in a box. That night, I left empowered with confidence in my own talents and the talents of my friends, my family, and the amazing people I have yet to meet knowing how to break the boundaries of any box anyone has every tried to put me in.

"Today and from now on, lets break boxes, break boundaries, ​glow-up,
come-up, and create something great"
~Ashley D - Vibe Indie

All Hail The Queens!

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a definitive duo of rapping women that can hold their own in the rap game dominated by male emcees. But I think that we can say that with “Queendom” those days are back in full effect. The Atlanta natives flaunt their abilities in their newest video “QueenSh*t” in which they prove they can hold it down just as hard as any man. With full aggression and passion you can witness these ladies spit flames at you while looking like bosses as they do it. So sit back… you know what? Stand up! And watch their new video! You might have trouble sitting down. - STR8OUTDADEN