Last Updated on November 25, 2019
Experience an afternoon of music and poetry, as artist Micah James brings together performers who explore the Black queer existence through a multitude of lenses.
Participating artists are Eddington Again, Bapari, Black Gatsby, Brandon Drew Holmes, Micah James, Thed Jewel, Amanda-Faye Jimenez, Naeem Juwan, and Adee Roberson.
Quiet Isn’t Kept: Amplifications in Black Queer Voice
Captured by Pablo Simental
Micah James is an artist working in LA, making songs, stories, and videos.
Eddington Again makes Black classic music.
Bapari (Arielle Baptiste) AKA Sensei Noir is a Los Angeles-based multigenre producer, DJ, and radio host. Her somber yet danceable soundscapes derive influence from Witch House, Synthpop, Hip-Hop, Techno, Post-Punk, and Bounce.
Black Gatsby is an independent Pop prodigy based in Los Angeles. The soulful singer-songwriter and performer explores a wide range of inspirational elements, varying from Gospel and Blues to Electrotonic, Disco, and Hip-Hop. Growing up singing in churches from Oklahoma to Texas, Gatsby’s vocals boast a variety of influences from Slyvester James, David Bowie and Prince, to Janet Jackson, with a spine-chilling, modern twist.
Gatsby’s vocals have also been featured on records and remixes with Twin Shadow, Solange Knowles, and MS MR.
Brandon Drew Holmes is a writer, artist, and publisher. He makes work about white people for Black people.
Naeem Juwan is an artist performing regularly as ‘Spank Rock.’ A native of Baltimore, he currently resides in Minneapolis by way of Philadelphia. He is currently completing his third studio album for release in 2018.
Thed Jewel was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is living to help through his abilities, which includes rapping.
Amanda-Faye Jimenez is a Blaxican-queer-fat-femme writer and performer. She has performed in SORORITY at The Hammer Museum, the Radar Productions Queer Readings Series, and at the McDonald’s in Silverlake next to her favorite gay bar. She loves palm trees, engaging her followers, and making niche memes on Instagram as @failureprincess.
Adee Roberson‘s works weave celestial landscapes with drum patterns, found photos, and synthesizers. Roberson has exhibited and performed in galleries and independent venues including the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and Art Gallery of Windsor, Ontario.