Maiesha Rashad
Maiesha Rashad was an African American vocalist who is often referred to as the 'First Lady of Go-Go' music.
Life and career
Maiesha Rashad was born Maiesha Collins in Indianapolis, Indiana. She studied classical singing in Indiana and later moved to Washington, DC where she studied broadcast management at Howard University and American University.[1][2][3]
Rashad was a vocalist who performed jazz, gospel, R&B and soul music.[1] She formed and led a number of bands including Maeisha and the Hiphuggers which began as a soul band in 1996. The band performed regularly at a number of Washington, DC-area venues.[1] Maeisha and the Hiphuggers began performing Go-Go music after welcoming William “JuJu” House and Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliott of Go-Go band Experience Unlimited to the group. Prior to residing in Washington, DC, Rashad was not familiar with Go-Go music, the District's official regional music which blends funk, rhythm and blues, soul, and audience involvement through call and response.[1][2]
As Maeisha and the Hiphuggers' popularity grew, they welcomed additional members of Experience Unlimited and other local Go-Go bands to the group, such as Sweet Cherie Mitchell.[4] They performed seven days a week and up to ten shows per week. The band is credited with ushering in what is often called the 'Grown ‘n’ Sexy' era of Go-Go due to the older age of the crowds they attracted.[1][4] Maiesha played 70s-inspired concerts that appealed to people over 30, with covers of Chaka Khan and Rufus, the Jackson 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire.[4] Some members of the Go-Go community, like trombone player Mike "Hard Step" Taylor, have criticized the impact the Grown & Sexy movement had on Go Go music, noting that popular covers became preferred by promoters causing original Go-Go compositions to take a back seat.[5] However, Charles Stephenson (a political and cultural activist, and former manager of Experience Unlimited) credits Maeisha and the Hiphuggers with reviving Go-Go in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[4]
Maeisha and the Hipguggers were managed by Adrienne DreDre Burkley.[4]
Rashad left The Hiphuggers in 1999 after spinal surgery.[2]
In later years, Rashad formed the nine-piece soul and jazz orchestra called Chak Rah.[3]
Death and legacy
Rashad was inducted into the Go-Go Hall of Fame in 2019 and is often referred to as the 'First Lady of Go-Go'.[1]
She was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in February 2020 and succumbed to the disease on June 15 of the same year.[6]
Rashad was married Brian Rashad. The couple had one daughter, Raina.[7]
External Links
Interview: True Go-Go Stories - Maiesha & The Hiphuggers
References
- ^ a b c d e f "The Go-Go Community Honors and Celebrates Pioneering Artist Maiesha Rashad". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ a b c Brace, Eric (2001-07-06). "How Maiesha Got Her Groove Back". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ a b "Maiesha Rashad, 'first lady of go-go,' has died". WTOP. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Queen of Go-Go Maiesha Rashad Takes Her Groove to Heaven". The Washington Informer. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ "Q&A: Mike "Hard-Step" Taylor – Who The Heck Is This Brother? | TMOTTGOGO Radio – Internet Radio Station | The #1 Trusted Voice of the Go-Go Community". Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ "Maiesha Rashad, The 'First Lady Of Go-Go,' Dies Of Stomach Cancer Complications". DCist. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
- ^ "First Lady of Go-Go fighting stage 4 stomach cancer". wusa9.com. Retrieved 2020-08-04.