Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

The Mahoganee Xperience yields the best of the Artistry of Mahoganee. In her latest work, she explores Afro-futurism with “time travel” and “portals.” Her work is heavily influenced by the title “Be Here Now: The South is a Portal” from the thesis of griot, time-traveler, historian, writer, and educator Sara Makeba Daise, and the new book “BlackWorld” by American sociologist, author, lecturer, and educator Dr. Bertice Berry.

She’s also referred to as “Da Sea Island Songbird” with a unique style of storytelling, blending elements of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Hip-hop with West African and Caribbean influence and instrumentation, touching on all elements of both contemporary and traditional American roots music, making her a quintessential modern FOLK singer. This “Indigenous Soul Music,” that ignites the senses and has lyrics born out of their trans-Atlantic heritage that spark the soul, is created by Mahoganee and her husband, music producer André (Mr. BounceBack) Amigér.

With over 30 years of experience in her field and national credits to her name, Mahoganee’s artistic persona is constantly evolving. Her sultry and earthy vocals, commanding acapella stage presence, and a range spanning more than four octaves has earned her a loyal following by an ever-growing fan base and thus given the name “Sea Island Songbird”.

She has performed before dignitaries and 21st century icons and for audiences of 20,000+ at festivals and other corporate, private, civic and community events – including Historical Penn Center’s Heritage Festival, the Annual Black Family Reunion for the National Council of Negro Women in Washington, DC, and the Black Heritage Festival in Savannah, GA. Mahoganee has shared the stage with artists such as Tony Terry, SOS Band, and Daniel Winans, and has been a featured performer with South Carolina’s ambassadors of Tourism – Dr. Marlena Smalls & The Hallelujah Singers. Mahoganee has done Artist Residencies in Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, and Belize.

Mahoganee has been featured in the music line-up with Grammy Winner Dom Flemons “The American Songster,” one of the most accomplished American Folk Artists. Mahoganee has also been featured alongside South Carolina native and globally recognized blues musician Adia Victoria and South Carolina-native Nicole Neely, composer, arranger, and conductor collaborating with artists such as Beyoncé, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Toni Braxton, Lizzo and H.E.R.. She is in the Season 2 Line-up for More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series at The Columbia Museum of Art hosted by Dr. Birgitta Johnson.

She is a member of the (Grammys) Recording Academy and a GrammyU Mentor. Mahoganee has most recently released her 4th record (album) entitled “Textures of a Southern Soul (a GullahGeechee Soul)” and has been getting rave reviews with an amazing collaboration with Grammy nominated artist, Carolyn Malachi.

Most recently, Mahoganee has been named the 2023 Leo Twiggs Leadership Scholar, a Riley Fellow, and accepted into the third cohort of the Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing, an 18-month leadership experience supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Artist Statement

As a vocalist, performing artist for over 30 years, writing, recording and performing my original music for over 18 years, I am now shifting into being a multi-disciplinary artist as “The Mahoganee Xperience” which is an immersive Coastal Southern gath·er·ing of Indigenous Ancestral Expressive Arts: Afro-futurism storytelling through soulful folk songs, photography, mixed media and poetry.”

It is in alignment with my purpose to inspire, educate and uplift our youth through the Arts and to teach young people the greater possibilities of who they can become when they embrace their natural gifts as an Arts Advocate. Being who you are comfortably in your skin gives others permission to do the same which in my opinion is a direct counteract to bullying. Arming students with the power to love themselves and to understand that creativity is a great source of their power is a fundamental key in what I reflect to my students.

As a co-founder of the non-profit Responsible ARTistry, Inc., our mission is to make a huge impact on the world with Arts Integration to Educate, Entertain, Elevate, Enlighten and Explore. We want to explore the possibilities utilizing the power of our Creativity and Imagination to advance the Gullah Geechee Culture and Heritage, while illuminating as a Sound Healer of Social & Environmental Justice for our overall Health & Wellness, highlighting environmental responsibilities with land stewardship and caring for our waterways.