We were lucky to catch up with Queen Majeeda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Queen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally. I remember being about four years old, climbing on top of furniture with a flashlight and pretending I was on stage. Right after high school, I started hanging out with musicians in Jamaica, where I grew up. I would show them the songs and poems that I had written and we would rehearse them. I started writing during high school so I had a few songs to rehearse with bands. One musician encouraged me to record an album and so a group of musicians got together to provide backing for my songs and poems.

Queen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into the industry by connecting with professional musicians who were active in the industry. After I recorded the album, I played it for Earl “Chinna” Smith one day and he suggested that I get a stage name. I went to the African Caribbean Institute and read books about African names and their meanings. I chose the name Majeeda. It means noble or glorious. My first album is titled Conscious and was released by Heartbeat Records, a then Massachusetts-based recording company. I have since recorded an EP titled Our Glorious Past, some singles, and my most recent album, Wedding Invitation was released in September 2023. I also just released a single titled, Social Media Dilemma this month. I would say right now that I am most proud to be accepted as a member of the Recording Academy. It allows me to vote for other recording artists who are being considered for a Grammy and gives me the opportunity to submit my albums for Grammy consideration as well. Wedding Invitation was long-listed for consideration.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My poetry serves to document and reflect the times we’re living in and discuss events occurring in our society. I aim to talk about issues that people either overlook or wish they could address — somewhat like being a voice for society. I also want to draw people to look beyond the surface of what we see in life. I try to raise hope and express emotions some people might not be able to express themselves, as well as praise our Maker and share His love for us through my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is having an idea and seeing the end result — the poem on paper and then recording it and hearing what the musicians play to match that poem. Then taking that poem from the page to the studio to the stage or sometimes directly from the page to the stage and sharing it with an audience and having them engage and respond to it is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a poet and recording artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://queenmajeeda.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/QueenMajeeda
• Youtube: https://Youtube.com/@QueenMajeeda
• Soundcloud: https://Soundcloud.com/QueenMajeeda

Image Credits

Emily Ristow, Donovan Burgess, Brian Jahn