Today we’d like to introduce you to Queen Deelah.
Hi Queen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Fadeelah Muhyee aka Queen Deelah. I am an artist, actress, activist, model, producer and entrepreneur. I was born and raised in Oakland, CA and have resided in Austin, Tx the past 12 years. Growing up in Oakland helped shape the leader I am today. One of the most difficult times in my life was getting kicked out of middle school and labeled as a gang leader. I was kicked out of my neighborhood school James Madison middle school and forced to catch the bus 1 hour away from my home, family and friends to be promoted to high school. This was a defining moment in my life because I was torn away from everything I knew at the time. This moment made me realize that I needed to transform my surroundings to elevate into a positive leadership role.
The process to me getting to this point is important because it consisted of many breakdowns and breakthroughs. There was a time during this process that I was extremely depressed. I remember praying for outlets to do and be something different than what I was experiencing. In high school, I was introduced to some very powerful teachers and leaders in the community. These teachers Mrs. Lopez, Mr. Felson, and Mrs. Watson helped me to understand my leadership skills. They enrolled into programs that connected me to the rich history of organizing in Oakland and that spark the path I am on today.
I got into music as a community organizer because I didn’t hear messages that reflected the things I was fighting for as a youth leader. I empowered myself with the support of many community organizations to put out a message of healing, unity, love and truth. On this path, I have been blessed to work with countless community organizations, activists, and artists standing for justice and freedom across the nation. Something that is important to me as an MC is to represent my sisters. In the city of Oakland in the late 90’s early 2000’s there was a spike in violence that affected our communities on a major level. The hyphy movement was in full effect, there were many creative and innovative things happening, but you could also feel the pain of the city in the air from the murder rate. My dream and vision has always been to create a safe space for youth, give them the resources to heal and create art.
2008 was the year that transformed my life as a young adult. I lost one of my best friends who was a brother to me Bobby Hall aka Bobby Blue Nose due to senseless violence in the streets of Oakland. This was the year I took a leap of faith and left everything I knew to rebuild and heal. In Dec. of 2008, I relocated to Austin, Tx. to create a better life for myself and my five years old son at the time.
Something to note, it was not until I moved from Oakland that I understood the healing I needed. Moving a way was painful and a hard transition, but similar to my middle school experience I knew that I had to heal to show others how, I had to recreate myself to show others how, and I had to live to show others how. Moving away forced me to reflect within and do the work. What is the work? The work is understanding the past traumas that we create stories around and block us from connecting to each other in an authentic way. Austin gave me a place to quiet my mind, make peace with my past, so I can bring back tools and resources to Oakland. Me moving away helped me to understand and get enrolled into the conversation of mental health. I know that I was sick when I first moved to Austin in 2008. Since I have lived here, I have connected with other artists that are healers and herbalists. I have learned three things that I do to help my mental health are: 1. Diet and Exercise. You are what you eat so it is important to take care of your body. 2. Prayer and Meditation. I pray to ask the most high for things that I hope are in alignment with my purpose and meditation is the time the most high gives me clarity and the visions to manifest infinite possibilities. 3. Maintaining a positive attitude. A positive thought can transform the world. Music has been and will always be my medicine. My intention is to put a divine dosage of healing frequencies to spark a conversation that will lead to action and transform the world. Music is one of the many tools I use to share my experience and show others just like me you can make it, whatever that means to you.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Today 2021, I am still overcoming! I have personal been faced with and have overcome many challenges here in Austin as well. A little over a year ago Feb. 2020 my brother Chameleon Brenden Foster transitioned right before the pandemic. I am constantly reminded that we are on borrowed time and we must be intentional. Music is a pathway to heal!! I am exercising my creativity to keep expanding in love and understanding of self and others.
It has not by far been an easy road as a woman in a male dominate industry. There were and are a lot of power struggles I have faced throughout my career but I have learned and learning valuable lessons. I had to have hard moments to strengthen me. I am not just a content creator on the music scene but music is my calling. The most difficult challenge was pushing through when I was unmotivated. I give all praises to the most high for surrounding me with people who remind(ed) me of my calling in my toughest moments. When you know who you are it is important to stay true to you. It has been hard but I can say my movement has been consistent for the past 18 years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creative. Something that I am truly proud of is using my creativity to manifest everything that I am today. Traveling the country performing music, speaking on panels, working in the community has opened up many opportunities for me. What sets me apart from others, I believe is all that I have overcome to be in the position that I am. Most people would give up because it is too hard, but me I use my adversity as fuel to keep rising. I am the transformation that I want to see. Since the transition of my brother Chmlnkng I have released two songs that reflect on Love. “Count aka Power of Love” Chkmlnkng feat Queen Deelah and “Black Love” Queen Deelah feat Gio. What is special about putting out these records to me at a time like this is we clearly see there needs to be more love in the atmosphere. People have been in lockdown and anyway from there families due to the pandemic. These frequencies have helped me reflect and cherish what is special to me which is creating beautiful memories with my family/ community. I am grateful to have the strength to put out positive music to inspire and uplift our community. Something else that I am proud of is starting a clothing line with my man called Stone B Rock. Stone B Rock is Chicago street slang. Stone B Rock is a hood way of life that is hurting the black and brown communities. We started this clothing line to spark discussions and solutions around street culture and its effects on the urban communities. To learn more about my music, please visit www.queendeelah.bandcamp.com and to support our clothing line, please visit www.Stone-B-Rock.com.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The advice I have for anyone starting out is please ask lots of questions, do research and find a mentor in your career of choice. The biggest mistake a lot of artists make is going into the situation blind. If you do not know the business, you can easily be used. It is very important to have connections and people you trust that will give you the correct information.
Contact Info:
- Email: queendeelah@gmail.com
- Website: www.queendeelah.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: @therealqueendeelah
- Facebook: @queendeelah115
- Twitter: @queendeelah
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/queendeelah
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/queendeelah
- Other: www.stone-b-rock.com
Image Credits
Tia Boyd photos Trevor Jones Rob T Yella Stud graphics
