Moon Queen
Mbalenhle Cynthia Khanyile, better known as Moon Queen, born and raised in Sebokeng, is a Songwriter, Performer Visual Artist, Reggae, Dancehall, Afro Pop and Dub Vocalist and a force to reckon with. She started off performing as a Black Conscious Poet doing rounds in the underground scene and a chance encounter with No order, a feisty grassroots promoter of events led her to the Reggae and Dancehall path. She would go on to feature on highly acclaimed riddims coming out of Mzansi. She graced the stages of the annual Back To My Roots Festival (Soweto), Cape Town Reggae Sunsplash, Exodus Reggae Fest (Sebokeng), Mzansi Dancehall Red Carpet Concert (Soweto), Reggae Exploxion (Limpopo) and has opened for Jah Mason and for Lutan Fyah respectively.
She is yet to release a full body of work in the form of an Album or EP or Mixtape, but all signs are showing that, that is where she is heading. The five essential tracks showcase her song writing abilities and her beautiful voice.
1. Melanin – Tlhaloganyo Le Maikutlo Riddim
Produced by the well loved and respected sound engineer, song writer and performing artist Chantty Natural for Live Wire Productions, this riddim helped to launch Moon Queen in the Reggae Dancehall sphere.
2. Commotion – Flight Mode Riddim
Produced by emerging producer Sammy Royal for Blackness Blue Productions, Moon Queen found herself featured along side big names in the Reggae Dancehall scene. The riddim featured big names like Daddy Spencer, Bongo Riot, Black Dillinger, Crosby, Skeleton Blazer, Jeremiah Fyah Ises, Momo Dread and more. Here she craftily put on display her lyrical prowess and her sweet molodical voice.
3. Khona – Falling In Love Riddim
The Riddim is produced by Chicha Music (Zimbabwe) and coordinated by Concrete Jungle Studios (South Africa). It is envisioned as the first riddim in a series called The Women’s League to be exclusively voiced by female artists from around the world. This Riddim has artists from Zimbabwe and South Africa. Here Moon Queen displays her versatility in her voice range. Smooth, ruggedy and soulful.
4. True Love – Maduna Love Riddim
Moon Queen was summoned by the veteran Sista Phumi Maduna to take part on the project Maduna Love Riddim and featured among others Monique Stylez the Dancehall Cream of Zambia, Jessica Mbangeni the international jet setting Praise Singer, Roots of Kush outta Durban, Phumi Maduna, Lizbk and more. Here Moon Queen recorded a beautiful lullaby-ish song dedicated to her first true love, her son Inkanyezi (Star).
5. Sthandwa Sami
Moon Queen X Pespsin Sthandwa Sami is a lover’s tune released by Maximum Stylez Records and Publishing. The song was accompanied by video, presumably a first music video for Moon Queen. They Went on to perform the song at the Mzansi Dancehall Reggae Concert Volume 1.