#queenyy

QUEENYY x CHEVDOT

We touched based with hip hop/R&B artist Steph Marcantonio, a.k.a. queenyy, and distinguished First Nations Cree producer/choreographer Chev Cheechoo, a.k.a. chevdot. They bring their lifetimes of working with beats, dance, and songwriting to the collaborative project. The duo released their new single Pretty Young Thing on May 24, which was followed by an accompanying music video.

VITALS

Social Media: @queenyymusic/@chevdot

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/queenyyxchevdot/pretty-young-thing 

Web: https://snd.click/dKCsK

Latest Release: Pretty Young Thing (Single, May 2019)

Upcoming Shows: Stay tuned!

SA: How did this project come together for you guys? A: In December 2017, Queenyy ran into Circa Beatz and he told her about a beat battle that was happening in the city the next day. Queenyy showed up solo to the beat battle specifically to network and find a producers to connect with. Low and behold, chevdot was one of the competitors, Chevdot stood out for Queenyy because a) his beats were fire and b) he danced to his own beats. Once the battle was over, Queenyy chased Chevdot outside and got his contact information and two months later they started creating and not knowing what direction they would go.  

Late 2018 they decided to start recording and putting out music as a collaboration project. All the recording, mixing and mastering was done in the city at Audio Valley with Engineer/Producer Carde Blanche.

SA: What artists or musicians would you cite as the biggest influences on your sound? A: 90s throwback R&B mixed with modern day Hip-Hop and Brazilian Baile Funk with the biggest influences being Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah and TLC.

SA: Thus far in your career, what has been the band’s biggest success? A: The biggest success so far is the positive feedback and support we have been getting from local radio stations (shout out to CHUO FM, NUBRL Radio, Bring Ya Eh Game), Capcity Hip-Hop, local DJ’s, dancers and people sharing and spreading this project around the world.

SA: Conversely, what is the biggest challenge you have faced, and how have you dealt with it? A: Plain and simple, putting out a project in the arts independently without management and support is one of the hardest things we’ve had to do and are still doing. So to answer the question “how do we overcome it?”-  we just keep going.

SA: How do you guys approach the song-writing process? A: We try to keep our creative process as organic as possible. Chevdot comes through to the sessions with beats and the sounds that queenyy vibes with, she’s able to come up with melodies and lyrics. We then bring a structured song to the studio and Carde Blanche makes it sound like butter.

SA: What are your thoughts on the Ottawa music scene, and what are you looking to bring to it? A: The Ottawa music scene has a lot of potential but it’s missing something and can’t quite to put a finger on what it is and we feel people need to support each other more in the city. Big shout out to OMIC (Ottawa Music Industry Coaltion) for the Ottawa music strategy and we hope to inspire other artists to continue to push their boundaries.

SA: Tell us a bit about your recently released video for Pretty Little Thing. A: Pretty Young Thing was directed, shot and edited by Ottawa Native but a resident in Toronto Jeremy Cherpit aka Flx Vsn. Originally Queenyy and Chevdot came with the idea and Jeremy brought the ideas to life. We wanted to showcase our passion for music and dance and invite listeners to groove with us.

SA: Hypothetical scenario. You get billed on your dream tour. Who would be on tour with you? A: 6lack and Dani Leigh. Their style would fit with ours and we would all compliment yet bring something different to the table.

SA: If you had to choose, what three records would you cite as most impactful on your sound in this collaboration? A: Aaliyah - Are you feeling me

Sabrina Claudio feat 6lack - Belong to you

Missy Elliott - Hot Boyz