On July 27rd, 2023, I was flown out to the state of Michigan to perform at a fresh new women’s festival called the BMG (Big Mouth Girl) Festival. Months prior, the organizer of the festival, Nedra Johnson, asked if I could make an appearance, and I immediately agreed. I also had no idea that the day I flew in for the festival was Nedra’s birthday. This made the event even more special, because I was singing and celebrating my friend’s revolution around the sun.

I say this now without hesitation: being part of this festival was one of the best experiences of my career, and of my life. The love and support I received from the ladies of The Land was simply incredible. While I was there, I barely spent a thing on food, because there were so many ladies feeding me, and feeding me well – much love to those incredible women!

When I initially stepped on the stage, I was extremely nervous. Sure, I had hit stages all over the country, however, this was my first women’s festival AND it was my first festival as a solo artist; I wasn’t a supporting act or a hype woman – it was me, myself, and I alone. I began my set with “Virgin” from my debut LP, Songs About V, and this was my second time performing it since the album was released in early 2019. From there, I hit the usual suspects – “Vocal Lines”, “Reconsider”, and “Venus”. Then the time came to do the song that is considered a fan favorite, “Vulnerable”, and I did not want to disappoint. By the time I finished the song, I received a standing ovation from the audience – calling that moment “special” is an understatement. After that, I followed up with a rendition of John Legend’s classic, “So High” and poured more of my soul out.

From that point on, the crowd and I two-stepped and line-danced our way to the end with “Gettin’ Grown & Sexy” from 2012’s The SapphicSoul EP (when I was once known as Steph the Sapphic Songstress) and my most popular song to date, “Walk Into the New Year Like…”, from my 2019 holiday EP Christmas at 7222, Vol. 1. I was going to end with a slower, inspirational song, however, the energy dictated and the audience wanted to end on a high note…no qualms there.

Overall, I’d say it was a roaring success.

I shared the stage with some phenomenal female musicians and I’m glad I can now consider them friends. I was blessed to perform alongside the likes of notables such as Blues great Gaye Adegbalola, Folk legends Holly Near and Vicki Genfan, Latin songstress Lourdes Pérez, spoken word powerhouses E Nina Jay and C.C. Carter, and even the birthday gal, Nedra, who joined me for a line dance during my musical set. Yeah. That happened, too.

I came there as an unknown artist, the wild card to most who attended. When I left, 500 more attendees sought to learn more about me and my music, and because of them, they’ve put more fire in my back to continue to deliver more great melodies to the masses.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you BMG, thank you Goldenrod Music, and thank you, Amazon Ladies of The Land – you have changed my life for the better. Because of this experience and intimate interactions I had with the ladies that attended, I have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a woman who may not fit the standard societal mold of one. Being there further strengthens my resolve to not be silent, especially because I am atypical and unique in so many ways. This society cannot determine what makes me beautiful, I do, and I will stand in that light for as long as I live.

Until next time, Michigan. ❤️