About MicQey Qoolaid

As with many of us, McQueen’s life changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world. He was working on his debut solo album under the artist name of MicQey Qoolaid, and also building his DJ Residency at the only brewery on Broadway in Nashville (Honky Tonk Row), when all the venues in Nashville were shuttered for the pandemic. McQueen had to find a way to continue his art online through digital platforms, like so many artists have had to do, but after a year of playing shows on Facebook to faces he can’t even see, McQueen is ready to get back on stage in a live setting and bring back the energy and excitement that we all used to experience at live shows.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY by Haitian immigrants, McQueen’s passion for art and science started early. As a child, he would make cassettes of radio DJ's and play them during grade school class trips, which earned him a spot in the A/V club. In addition to that, his poetry got in the school's literature book and by Junior High McQueen Michel was attending a magnet school for T.V. and film production.

By the end of High School, McQueen had learned how to and helped produce an entire talent show for DL Productions. His friend Buju introduced him to Lineartech turntables and brother-sister team Fuji and Spice allowed him to practice in their basement. Soon after meeting his dear friend Parle in Baruch College, in 1996 they started a reggae soundsystem called Generationz Sound. They spun for college radio and clubs all around New York City and New Jersey, with residencies playing the best mix of dancehall, hip-hop, house, soca, pop, and kompas. After an internship for the great Andrena Hale and her company "Big Plans Entertainment", whose clients included hot producers like Rockwilder and international artists like Shaggy and Rayvon, he graduated from Kingsborough Community College with an Associates Degree in Radio Broadcast Management.

In 2000, McQueen moved to Tennessee to further his education at M.T.S.U. He continued with college radio and continued to DJ locally between Nashville and Atlanta. Later with some friends, McQueen started the hip hop band Streetlight Allstars. They opened up for and shared the stage with great acts, including Shock G, Vanilla Ice, Young Buck, Rehab, Catherine Wheel and Chk Chk Chk (!!!). They've performed for various charities including St. Judes, Boys and Girls Club, and sending relief for victims of the 2012 earthquake in Haiti.

McQueen toured with Streetlight Allstars around Tennessee and received The Nashville Scene's Best of 2008 award for Best Song to Drink to during the Recession with "Free Drinks". They went on to release the album Where the Sidewalk Ends in 2011 which won Nashville Industry Music Awards Album of the Year! In 2014 MicQey Qoolaid was named Upcoming Indie Artist at the Goldpack Indyfest. He co-produced a standing singer-songwriter night for DJ's in Nashville, released a solo single "East Nashville Girls" in 2016 and has a co-writing credit on the 2021 single "OKAY!" by singer songwriter, Zoë Rae.

McQueen has performed his art over the years before thousands of beautiful people. Whether it's a backyard jam in Flatbush all the way to The St. Jude marathon in Memphis. It's more than just playing the same songs or reading the same poems, it's about that connection between humans and art.

Notable Achievements:

• Interned for Andrena Hale's company Big Plans Entertainment
• Graduated with AA in Radio Broadcast Management from Kingsborough Community College
• The Nashville Scene's Best of 2008 Award for Best Song To Drink To During The Recession
• Nashville Industry Music Award for Album Of The Year in 2011
• Named Upcoming Indie Artist at Goldpack Indyfest in 2014

Call/Text: (615) 485-7480
E-mail: MicQey@gmail.com

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