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 attended Howard University and American University.[1][2]

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. 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]

Rashad left The Hiphuggers in 1999 after spinal surgery.[2]

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.[3]

Rashad was married Brian Rashad. The couple had one daughter, Raina.[4]

References
  1. "The Go-Go Community Honors and Celebrates Pioneering Artist Maiesha Rashad". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  2. Brace, Eric (2001-07-06). "How Maiesha Got Her Groove Back". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  3. "Maiesha Rashad, The 'First Lady Of Go-Go,' Dies Of Stomach Cancer Complications". DCist. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  4. "First Lady of Go-Go fighting stage 4 stomach cancer". wusa9.com. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
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