Essence Festival 2018 Review, Very Local New Orleans

"The Hollygrove local and NOCCA grad stunned a Superlounge crowd"

by ALEX GALBRAITH

by ALEX GALBRAITH

Jovan appeared in an outfit befitting of her seemingly supernatural voice. The NOCCA grad and Hollygrove resident stepped out onto the stage in a dress made of layers on layers of white tulle. The cloud-like outfit, when coupled with Jovan’s soaring voice, seemed to take the evening to a new elevation. Stepping out of the busy and loud walkways that ring the arena into her mellow, low-light space was a trip through the veil into another world, one a little bit higher than our own where Jovan could sing songs about praise and exultation.

Essence Fest: 7 Female R&B Acts You Need To Know, GRAMMY.COM

Mykia named one of Grammy.com's Essence Fest Performers to Know

Essence Fest is the ultimate celebration of Black women and music. And while it manifests that mission through dynamic headline shows featuring some of music’s biggest acts (Janet JacksonMary J. BligeJill Scott and Erykah Badu), it also serves as a major introduction for a slew of up and coming artists. And this year was certainly nothing different. Over the course of the three day event, we have spotted seven rising female acts whose music you need to explore right now.

Read more here: https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/

Red Bull Amaphiko, Collaboration with Overcoming Racism

 

Mykia and Overcoming Racism founder, Matthew Kincaid, discuss their collaboration for The Medicine Show presented by Red Bull Amaphiko.

 
The Medicine Show is a storytelling project for social change. This is a behind the scenes look at the creative collaboration between social innovator Matthew Kincaid of Overcoming Racism and musician Mykia Jovan.

Watch the full performance of "Déjà Vu" featuring Mykia Jovan with CoolNasty live at the Civic Theatre, New Orleans, 12/5/17.

Interview, Rigorous Magazine

Rigorous Magazine Cover - Volume Two, Issue 1Keith Duncanfrom the Black Plight series mixed media, fabric on canvas, 2017

Rigorous Magazine Cover - Volume Two, Issue 1

Keith Duncan
from the Black Plight series mixed media, fabric on canvas, 2017

New Orleans is my sound. It's all I know. I didn't come here to get inspired or because I heard the scene was cool and welcoming. I'm here because I couldn't get out, because a home like this one always finds you and calls you back, because the jazz, gospel, blues, and bounce is in my blood. It informs everything I write and how I approach music. I'm able to expand and explore because I have such a solid foundation. Not as a "musician" or a "vocalist" but as a child of this great city.  Mykia Jovan

Interviewed by Rosalyn Spencer for Rigorous Magazine

Read in full here: http://www.rigorous-mag.com/