Where Are They Now! : Catching Up With The Cover Stars Of Last Year's Pride Issue

 

Last year on June 24, 2021 Southern Plug released our first annual Pride Edition of Southern Plug Magazine. This special edition publication featured LGBTQ+ musical artists Daya Carter, Creme Dela Cream, Wyteboi Kidd, & Lex DaBenefit on the covers. Not to take credit for anyone’s success or anything. This article references where they are after featuring on the covers of last year’s pride issue.

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DAYA CARTER

Shortly following the release of last year’s pride edition Daya released the video for his already viral summer hit “Candy”. He also started to get booked all over the place. He has most notably performed and hosted a numerous of pride events and festivals. Making him undoubtedly the #1 LGBTQ artist in Columbia, SC. He also went on to release new 2 more singles, “Do Ya Thang” in 2021 & “Energy” earlier this year.Follow Daya at @dayacarterr to see what he does next. 

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LEX DABENEFIT

The most noticeable thing is that Lex DaBenefit cut her hair. But aside from that she has went on to be nominated for numerous awards and event performed at the Southern Independent Music Awards in Atlanta, GA. Aside from performances Lex has also become one of the most sought after party/showcase hosts in the Soda City.

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WHYTEBOI KIDD

Born To Hustle Media Co-CEO Wyteboi Kidd has lead quite a quiet life since being featured on the cover of our Pride Issue in 2021. She hasn’t released new music since her last hit album “Cashout” with JuOnTheBeat in 2020. Sorry that our research has yielded much to nothing about this 2021 Pride Issue cover artist, but if youd like to know ahts up with Wyteboi Kydd.

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CREME DELA CREME

Creme Dela Creme has been pretty busy since featuring on the cover of Southern Plug’s Pride Issue 2021. Releasing new music and featuring on track with some of the biggest names in music. Like the hit single “Bad Intentions” by Rhed Rich and the album “The Chosen One. Make sure you follow her at creme_dela_creme007

Snap Your Fingers For Poet Kandace Breon

Known for her Live music performances and open mic drop throughs, neo soul and Hiphop artist, Kandace Breon is a South Carolina native. With a soulful background in gospel, Kandace has been singing since the age of 5 in her local community church. There she was inspired by her grandmother and father who taught her to use her voice. Aspiring to produce music for the soul is something this singer/songwriter does well with her songs, “Goodbye”, “Apologize”, “Better Days”, and many others. This vibe setting artist has been working on many projects. Some involving the engineering and production of her very own album. Now Florida based, this artist is expanding her ground in music and pure artistry with new music soon to come from the album “HEADSPACE”. This album will expressing her live guitar talents and providing more grooves to hit the spot.

Kweeng Doll: Tiny Desk To The Big Stage

 

By Amelia Mason

Every year, thousands of independent musicians submit videos to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest in the hopes of being discovered. As we have for the past two years, the ARTery convened a panel to choose its favorite from among the 212 Massachusetts entries. This year, it's "Slick Talk" by Kweeng Doll.

Kweeng Doll's video stood out for its wit, poise and bouncy, irresistible beat. All five of our panelists — myself, journalists Karen Muller and Candace McDuffie and musicians Anjimile and Tim Gearan — agreed that nothing matched the originality of Kweeng Doll's agile rapping and genderbending look. Last week, I met up with the musician in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. Allow me to introduce Kweeng Doll:

It’s a hot, windy day in Boston. D’Mitry Bolden stands outside the construction zone where his old high school is being rebuilt. Against a backdrop of dumpsters and traffic cones, he’s defiantly glamorous in a black dress, soft pink eyeshadow and a cascade of dark hair. And then there are his nails — glittery, pink and more than two inches long.

It’s a pretty typical look for Bolden, who is better known as Kweeng Doll, a Boston-based rapper with a growing local fanbase.

"My whole life, since I was a child, I've always been a performer," the musician says. "So I'm used to people staring at me. I've always been the outcast. I've always been, like, the black sheep."

This loud, too-hot street corner is a special one for the 23-year-old. Just down the block is Machine, the recently-shuttered gay nightclub where he used to sneak in as a teenager. Across the street is the Boston Arts Academy high school, where he studied vocal performance and decided to become a rapper.

"When I figured that out I was like, 'How can I be a rapper and be this non-binary artist? It doesn't work like that,'" Kweeng Doll says.

Kweeng Doll came out as gay when he was 12. He accepts any pronouns — he, she, they — and over time, his look has become more feminine; people sometimes ask if he’s transgender. But that label doesn't fit.

"I'm just an androgynous person," Kweeng Doll says. "Some days I may feel more masculine than other days. Some days I feel more feminine."

Growing up in Syracuse, New York, Kweeng Doll always had a flair for performance. He competed in Irish step dance competitions and performed in high school musicals when he moved to Boston. Female emcees like Missy Elliot and Nicki Minaj helped shape his nightclub-ready rap.

"I like to make people twerk and shake their booties. That’s just kind of what it is," Kweeng Doll says simply.

Even his stripped-down Tiny Desk Contest video makes you want to dance. In it, Kweeng Doll sits poised on a stool, draped in a silvery shawl. Flanked by a drummer and keyboardist, he unleashes combative rhymes with impressive precision.

Kweeng Doll has only been performing publicly for three years, releasing one EP, 2019's "Pink Smoke," and a handful of singles. Most of his songs are pretty much unprintable, not just for their free-wheeling use of cuss words, but for their outrageous raunchiness. Take, for instance, the song "Hercules," a minor-key banger  in which Kweeng Doll declares, among other things, "The d is Hercules — hard and strong."

Explicit lyrics are common in hip-hop, and Kweeng Doll says he’s no different than any straight artist who raps about sex. His songs are drawn from real life.

"Queer people are always afraid to really talk about things that really happen in their everyday life, because they think people won't relate," he says. "But I disagree. People relate to anything that sounds good and that has meaning."

It’s not easy to be a queer rapper in the often hypermasculine world of hip-hop, but it's not without precedent. To understand an artist like Kweeng Doll, it helps to know something about his mentor — and primary artistic touchstone — Big Freedia. Big Freedia is perhaps the most famous performer of a New Orleans style of hip-hop called bounce. Proudly gay, with a gender-fluid style and a fondness for big hair and loud jackets, Big Freedia made queerness in hip-hop not just visible, but cool — you've probably heard her featured in songs by Beyoncé and Drake.

Kweeng Doll first met Big Freedia after one of her concerts in New York. The New Orleans musician ended up hiring the aspiring rapper to do her hair and makeup when she came to Boston. (Kweeng Doll's day job is as a hair and makeup stylist.) The two instantly clicked.

Reached by phone, Big Freedia describes Kweeng Doll as a "daughter." "I'm just happy to be an inspiration in [Kweeng Doll's] life," she says. "Just on an everyday basis, you know, because it's rough when you're black and you're gay and you're still trying to find your way in the world."

Kweeng Doll takes those lessons to heart.

"She's like, 'It's gonna be hard for us. We're gay Black men in this world, you know, like it's not common to see people like us do music. It's not common to see people like us walk around. It's not common for people to see us shaking our booty,'" he says. "So we have to have to be strong for ourselves and just go out there, and do it."

Which, in case you hadn’t guessed, is exactly what Kweeng Doll’s doing.

Get To Know JuOnTheBeat

I am a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. I studied the Spanish language extensively during my experience at Wofford as well. I took 21 hours of Spanish coursework, which has enhanced my knowledge in Global Studies and communication. With my accounting experience and Spanish skills, I am able to interpret, create, and assist with business financials, as well as being able to communicate with customers on a larger scale. Besides my education, I take my art very seriously. I started writing short stories in elementary school. I then moved on to writing poetry in high school and college, which ultimately led to my passion for writing songs. Music alone, has inspired me to overcome tough situations, as well as encouraged me. After college, I began to invest more and more time in my craft and now I am at a point where I am networking, promoting, creating, and sharing. I would love to come across more opportunities to brand myself in different places and network with people that share a similar passion for music.

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Muldrow Ju (@juondabeat803) • Instagram photos and videos

TRANSistioning The Music Scene One Record Spin At A Time

 

MC, LGBTQ ACTIVIST, ACTOR and DJ... AIKO FINESSE Herbert, a South Carolinian has been captivating audiences since the tender age of twelve. Born August 1, 1987, Aiko did not feel as though he fit in with other kids. He was often teased and bullied on his appearance and the darkness of his skin. All the topsy-turvy emotions sent Aiko to an uncomfortable place as he began to suffer from headaches that soon led to anger issues. Worried about how the peer pressure was affecting Aiko, his family decided to place him in therapy sessions several times a week. During his 4th grade year, his school guidance counselor gave him a suggestion…, " When you begin to feel angry, upset, or sad, I want you to write your feelings on a piece of paper and once you have written down all of the things that anger you, throw the note paper away." Instead, Aiko kept every single one of those “anger notes” that he'd written and began to use them to make his way out of that dark place. Those thoughts were soon channeled into the lyrical phenomenon that he is today… A fortunate gift uprooted by unfortunate circumstances. Aiko’s lyrics tell the story of an unhappy child who grew to be a troubled teen that later became a well sought after disc jockey. Words of life is revealed through personal events, poetry, spoken words and music. This artist is well on the way to superstardom. In 2008, Aiko attended the Art Institute of Atlanta too study music and video production. Additionally, this is where AIKO also grasped other aspects of the entertainment industry. However, due to financial hardship, Aiko would return home to South Carolina in the Spring of 2009, but that was just a temporary setback. Aiko continued to leave his impression in the industry and was invited to travel to New York and audition for the BET hit show “106 & Park”. Aiko poured divine passion into his audition that left the judges utterly impressed; dubbing his as the younger version of the iconic music mogul, Lil Wayne. Aiko has also won distinguished awards such as the "NEWBERRY GOT TALENT" (1st place for two consecutive years), followed by “BEST MC AND CROWD FAVORITE”. Aiko also entered the “Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Showcase” (ATL Edition) and won 2nd place. He also entered his video "Energy Cover" into their video showcase and won 1st place. Expanding his passion for music, in 2013 Aiko began to self-teach his self the art of deejaying and within one year, a new buzz started to swarm in his favor. Aiko is booked all across his hometown and state for weddings, family events, birth parties, and more! In 2015, he secured his first out of state gig at “CLUB ARGOS" in Augusta, Georgia, followed by gigs with Columbia, South Carolina’s only LGBT night spot "KRAVE". Aiko corded his first song "COLORS" alongside a rising female MC and videographer known as YPC NAE. Aiko is steady making a name for his self and this is only the beginning for this rising phenomenon

Exclusive interview w/ Rosheka Davis

 

Born Rosheka Latrell Davis on November 25, 1979 to Harry and Jessie Davis in the City of Gaston, South Carolina. Davis was raised in a tight knit community known as “Happy Town”. She is the youngest of four children…Due to the wide age gap between her and her siblings and the strenuous work schedules of her parents, Davis learned at an early age that she had to entertain herself. Using this fuel of self entertainment, Davis found her love for community and school sports. She played on her schools’ basketball teams and participated in gym activities with her cousins and community peers. The Number one Iheartradio personality, the freshest event host, and the P. E. (Positive Expressions) Coach of the year. Davis uses her influence to be the change they want to see. “The Fuel To Your Fire, Is Your Hearts Desire

Q. Wassup, it's your boy Darren Southern Plug Brown for Southern Plug Magazines here with Rosheka “Reject” Davis of Reject Talks. Tell our readers that may not be familiar with you or your work just who you are and what it is that you do? 

A. My name is Rosheka”Reject” Davis a.k.a RoWhoa with the flow who screams out lets gooooooooo from my soul. I am a Mother, Daughter, sister, auntie, 3 time Amazon International best selling Co-Author, an International Speaker, Poet, Writer, CEO, Educator, Leader, philanthropist, philosopher, community advocate, the bridge to the gap, a humble servant of Big God. A creator. Go to www.RoshekaDavis.com for more in-depth answers to your questions. 

Q. So, at the Southern Plug Music Awards you introduced the world to Reject the artist. How long have you been hiding that gem from the world? 

A. Reject was a never hiding, I just decided to express myself in a deferent manner. Never was hiding it those that know me know me. I just decided to stay true!

Q. I of all people know what it means to wear multiple hats. With that being said how does Reject the musical artist differ from you in your usual role as the radio personality or host? 

A. Reject is my Yin. RoWhoa is my Yang. Collectively is one in the same maintaining duality never changing. 

Q. What is it about you that you think your core audience connects with the most?. 

A. My authenticity. I know what it is like and I never can forget where I can from. All Praises to The Most High and I am thankful to be in this track of life. I am a single Mother. I am black. I am LGBTQ. I came from poverty, but poverty will not come from me. I work. I cry. I lose, I’ve said goodbye. I’m human just striving to be. 

Q. Has operating in that capacity affected your artistry in any manner. If so how? 

A. It had an affect on how I choose to effect. I don’t want to be remembered so much by what I say but how I make you feel. I come in peace and that’s what I want my listeners to feel. Peaceful. 

Q. What is the biggest obstacle you've had to face in the entertainment industry as a member of the LBGTQ+ Community? 

A. I have learned to appreciate obstacles, they are a good workout. You gain weight in the valley. Bring me is misunderstood, be it I attract every type of human so I have to guard my heart with all diligence. 

Q. Do you feel that your journey maybe harder than others in your field because of your sexual orientation? 

A. Because I am Divine Masculine dipped in Divine Feminine I find more of a prove it group of humans. People assume all type of things so I must stand in my power of I am who I say I am. 

Q. Many people think that we as creatives only do what we do for fame or the bag so to speak. But, as a creative myself I happen to know that there is a sense of purpose driving our abmitions and goals. What would you say is your purpose? 

A. My purpose is community Unity and rebuilding the village. Healing. I am light. I am Peace. I am Love. 

Q. What would you tell a little boy or girl just like you that maybe has dreams of following in your footsteps so to speak? 

A. I would tell them to not take my path, but create there own. Always bet on yourself. 

Q. Feel like giving us a Southern Plug Exclusive today? What’s the next project for Reject? What do you have cooking? 

A. To build up the youth in my projects. I’m cooking wisdom, knowledge and inner standing. 

Q. Ok thats it for this Southern Plug Exclusive with Reject Davis. Tell my readers how they can find you online; Social media, Website, music pages etc? 

Www.RoshekaDavis.com 

Rosheka Davis on Facebook 

Rosheka(Reject) Davis on IG 

Rosheka(Reject) Davis on Twitter 

Rosheka(Reject) Davis on TikTok 

Rosheka Davis on LinkedIn 

Sheka Davis on Snapchat 

Oh and follow me in real life in real time duuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh let’s gooooooooo

Kwame Is Tired of Being Misunderstood

Known by most as Mr. Misunderstood, Kwame has become the premier R&B/Hip Hop Artist of Columbia, SC. The Southern Plug Music Awards Male R&B Artist of the Year nominee has been seen performing his hit singles “Misunderstood” & “OOOOLALA” all over the city and a source told Southern Plug that Kwame is working on new music where you will be able to hear more of his vocal abilities. And that he is excited to share with the world. Follow him @kwamesings to see what’s next for the Soda City’s Next Big Thing!