It is with great pleasure this week that we introduce to you ‘Jackie Queens’ on the Sho!Mag ‘Spot Light’. As usual we have our weekly ‘low-down’ and for the past few weeks we noticed Deejays got all the ‘Spot Light’. This week we switch things up and bring to you ‘Jacke Queens’. Fresh with a banging single titled ‘Mwanangu’ and also a collaborative ‘EP’ titled ‘Women Of House’ . Also nominated in the ‘Best Female Vocalist Of The Year Category’ of the ‘Dance Music Awards South Africa’ to be held later this year. Ladies and Gentlemen, she goes by the name ‘Jackie Queens’ and we welcome you to it…
Sho!Mag: Before everything goes down, let us thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule for this ‘one on one’. A lot of us might be wondering. Who is Jackie Queens and where is she from?
Jackie Queens: I am a yummy mummy of one gorgeous boy, singer, songwriter and serial collaborator. Born in Zimbabwe, now honorary daughter of South Africa!
Sho!Mag: How did it all start for ‘Jackie Queens’? By that I mean how did you get into the music industry? Was it something you always wanted to do and are you from a musical family?
Jackie Queens: I used to sing a lot growing up but it was never something I thought to pursue until my mid twenties. It started out, as most things do with me, chasing something I’ve always wanted to do. Only in the past year or so have I decided to take it more seriously in terms of thinking about it as a career. I wouldn’t say I’m from what is traditionally known as a musical family, but I can say we have the inclination.
Sho!Mag: ‘Jackie Queens’, what is it that you do in the music industry? Are you a singer, music producer or a deejay?
Jackie Queens: I sing, write and executive produce passion projects centred on women in music.
Sho!Mag: Why ‘House Music’ out of all the music genres out there? What is it with House Music that made you want to be part of that musical genre?
Jackie Queens: ‘I love to dance!’ It’s about the only style of music I can dance to in my own awkward way and feel comfortable about it. Like, there’s no pressure to know any latest moves haha! Beyond that, next to music of the soulful variety, I feel at home with it. I can express who I am fully through it, say how I feel and describe the world, even the ugly bits.
Sho!Mag: Let’s talk about ‘Women Of House’. How did that release come about and who makes up ‘Women Of House’.
Jackie Queens: So #womenofhouse is a project I started to magnify the contribution of women to house music. Often we’re excluded from the narrative in a variety of ways. For those of us whose careers are built on features, the word “feature” often renders you invisible. In artwork, many times financially, and canonically. It started out as a series of interviews then I decided to extend it. The EP is a small but integral part of the larger work. I contacted Iklwa Brothers Music to collaborate with them as the stable has most of my favourite Afro house producers. I collected tracks from them and contacted vocalists I thought would be a great fit for each track. So it brings together people I admire: Iklwa Brothers Music producers and the label itself, which consistently releases amazing music and of course the inimitable talents of Sio and Zipho whom I adore to no end. I wanted the project to show that it’s possible to have more than one “queen” of something. Often in the music industry, women are pitted against each other and there’ll be one queen of a camp for example or of a particular genre. In reality the pie is huge with enough slices for everybody. We are unique and talented in our own ways so this project is a celebration of that too.
Sho!Mag: Why the title ‘Women Of House’, we ask this because the title is a catchy one.
Jackie Queens: It’s named after my #womenofhouse project which I’m hoping to grow into something more substantial. Everything connected to the project will have that title.
Sho!Mag: How would you describe the sound you guys put together behind ‘Women Of House’ and what was the inspiration behind that?
Jackie Queens: There wasn’t really much thought behind that, it was organic. The sound was dependent on the producers whom I only expected to do what they do best. That was easy enough I guess.
Sho!Mag: Personally, you have a banging single out titled ‘Mwanangu’, can we ask what the meaning of ‘Mwanangu’ is?
Jackie Queens: ‘Mwanangu’ means “my child” in Shona. It’s a song about two mothers. On a deeper level it’s about the entitlement we sometimes have as parents. To the point where we expect blind loyalty from our children irrespective of what we do to them or what their desires are.
Sho!Mag: Who did you work with in the song and how has the response been from the public been so far?
Jackie Queens: So far the response has been phenomenal. ‘VeneiGrette’ did a phenomenal job producing the original. He’s an amazing talent, musically astute and a beautiful human being.
Sho!Mag: Any plans of maybe having a ‘Women Of House’ tour? That would be great, because we would like to see you ladies performing those tracks live?
Jackie Queens: I am not sure about a tour but definitely some performances in the coming year. Once I get my act together haha!
Sho!Mag: We just as excited about this one more than you and in no way can we just leave it hanging. You have been nominated in the ‘Best Female Vocalist Of The Year Category’ of the ‘Dance Music Awards South Africa’. How does that feel seeing that these awards are voted for by us the public?
Jackie Queens: It’s great. I mean, I go about my business, singing my songs, making music etc. without even thinking that people see me that way. So it came as a surprise to me when I saw the list. I had to blink twice and literally spent the whole day in shock.
Sho!Mag: The question is, are you taking the award home ‘Jackie Queens’?
Jackie Queens: Lol! I doubt it. The competition is pretty stiff. And it being the first dance awards there’s some people on there who deserve that award by virtue of the time, and awesomeness, they’ve put in like Bucie and Tamara Dey.
Sho!Mag: What can we expect from Jackie Queens, what project are you currently working on for the future?
Jackie Queens: Well right now, I’m trying to finish up some projects that have been on the back burner for a while due to focusing on my own projects. After that, full steam ahead for my album, which I hope to release next year.
Sho!Mag: Any last words and message to your fans?
Jackie Queens: Be gentle with yourself and others J
Images By Tseliso Monaheng & Jackie Queens
Jackie Queens On Social Media
Facebook: Jackie Queens
Twitter: Jackie Queens
Instagram: Jackie Queens
Soundcloud: Jackie Queens
Jackie Queens – Mwanangu
smarturl.it/MwananguV1
smarturl.it/MwananguV1/googleplay
Women Of House EP