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Draft:Chela Simone (Holly Saucy)

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Chela Simone (Holly Saucy)

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Early Life and Education

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Chela Simone, born on March 24, 1987, in Oakland, California, is a multi-disciplinary artist. She began her musical training at the age of 13, studying Classical Music (Opera), Voice, Composition, and Piano Arrangement at the University of California Berkeley's Young Musicians Program. She furthered her education in Audio Engineering at San Francisco State University and studied film at Peralta College.

Music Career

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Chela Simone, also known by her aliases Tiye Selah and Holly Saucy, has had a dynamic and prolific music career that spans various genres and collaborations. She began her journey in 1991 when she formed the rap group "Children of Mary Jane" with Toy Himes, initially using the alias Tiye Selah. The group gained a significant local following but eventually disbanded, leading Simone to pursue a solo career.

Simone has performed in major cities and countries worldwide, including Miami, Ocho Rios (Jamaica), New York City, London, Paris, and Berlin. Her versatile skills in rapping, singing, dancing, and spoken word have earned her recognition in the global art community.

Throughout her career, Simone has released multiple projects and has been featured on numerous notable tracks:

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  • 2004:
 * Azeem – "Show Business" (2004)
  • 2005:
 * DJ Child Azeem – Rise Up Mixtape (2005)
  • 2007:
 * Zeph & Azeem – "Rise Up" (2007 OM Hip Hop) – Lead vocals on "That Type Of Music"
 * True Justice – "The Heist" (2007 Hidden City Records)
 * DJ Zeph and Azeem on OM Records releases (2007)
 * Uncharted - True Justice & Spark aka Pac Man – Independent Splendid - Guerrilla Funk Recordings (2007)
  • 2009:
 * Kiki – "Kaiku" (2009 BPitch Control) – Vocals on "Good Voodoo"
 * Fuckpony on the album "Let The Love Flow" (2009) and tracks like "Fall Into Me"
 * Steve Bug – "The Lab 02" (2009) – "Good Voodoo"
 * Dixon – "Temporary Secretary" (2009) – "Good Voodoo (Visionquest Remix)"
 * Chela Simone – "If You Never Call" - Juan Perez (2009)
  • 2010:
 * Chela Simone– "Death Of a Mermaid" (2010)
 * Fuckpony – "Fall Into Me" (2010)
 * Various – "Muz1ne #Δε Γκραντ Φινάλ" (2010) – "Fall Into Me"
  • 2011:
 * Holly Saucy -Insomnia Wins (2011)
 * Holly Saucy- Holly's Hobbies (2011)
 * Holly Saucy - Nothing Matters (the Relikks) f/ King Kooba and Four Tet
 * Holly Saucy - I didn't go to church (2011)
 * Jay Haze – "Love = Evolution" (2011) Contexterrior – "I Need A Lover"
  • 2018:
 * A-Plus & Knobody – "Grow Theory" (2018) – "That Universal"

Live Performances and Tours

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Chela Simone has had an extensive live performance history, including:

  • We B Girlz European Tour (2008) with Roxanne Shanté, Bahamadia, Invincible, Eternia, Shania D, Stacy Epps, Yarah Bravo, and DJ Shortee
  • Hip Hop Kemp Festival (Czech Republic) alongside The Roots, Atmosphere and Brother Ali, Pharoah Monch
  • Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (California)
  • Reggae on the River (California)
  • Afribean Festival (California)
  • Various venues including Mighty (San Francisco), The New Parish (Oakland), Ghost Town Gallery (Oakland), Harvelle's (Santa Monica), Rhythm Lounge (Long Beach), and Winter Music Conference (Miami)

She has performed with artists such as Sa Ra, Giles Peterson, Goapele, KRS-One, Pharoah Monch, Talib Kweli, Common, Del the Funky Homosapien, J*Davey, Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Medusa, Common, Lyrics Born, Saafir & The Whoridas, Mystic Journeymen, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Strange Fruit Project, and Living Legends.

Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy

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Chela Simone owns 9 Degree LLC, a collection of social enterprises including Control the Alternatives (e-commerce marketplace), 9 Degree Alchemy (beauty brand), and Ina Noire (nonprofit fiscal sponsor). The 9 Degree LLC enterprises aim to make a positive social impact through business models that give back.

  • Control the Alternatives: An online marketplace for handcrafted and curated goods that donates 100% of profits to Ina Noire to support community nonprofits.
  • 9 Degree Alchemy: A natural inclusive skincare brand that donates 100% of profits to Ina Noire to support community nonprofits.
  • Ina Noire: Provides fiscal sponsorship and financial services to help community programs and emerging nonprofits operate and raise funds.

Radio and Journalism

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From 2007 to 2009, Chela Simone hosted a two-hour-long radio broadcast called "Rize Up Radio" on 104.1 FM Berkeley Liberation Radio. She has also contributed to the SF Bay View as a journalist, providing insightful commentary and articles. Her radio work includes hosting and engaging with audiences, sharing her expertise and love for music and culture.

Herbalism and Aromatherapy

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As a certified herbalist NLP, CBT, REBT, WEC(Women’s Empowerment Coach) and aromatherapist, Chela Simone founded the wellness line 9 Degree Alchemy, which offers a range of skincare products, teas, supplements, and other wellness items.

Current Project

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Chela Simone is currently working on a solo theater presentation titled "Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe," debuting in Fall 2024. The show follows Grae Lilly Wolfe, a complex antihero, as she untangles the oppressive external forces and inner demons that haunt her. The narrative explores themes of trauma, dissociation, misogyny, and cycles of harm, offering a raw and poetic journey through Grae's personal truth and empowerment.

Synopsis of "Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe"

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The solo show follows Grae Lilly Wolfe in the aftermath of an undisclosed incident that leaves her isolated in a police interrogation room. Grae shares her formative experiences growing up in East Oakland, highlighting themes of trauma, dissociation, misogyny, and cycles of harm. The story shifts between childhood memories, personal revelations, vivid ruminations, and shocking developments. Grae's struggle to overcome and embrace her nature is at the core of the story, which delves into provocative social issues and existential questions about vulnerability, consent, guilt, and ultimately the end. The production promises a visceral journey of self-reckoning, blending raw emotion, social commentary, and touches of fantasy.

==== Recent Show Dates for "Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe" ==== https://onceuponawolfe.com/

  • February 3, 2024: KAFE - Ubud, Bali
  • February 23, 2024: The Flow - Kabupaten, Bali
  • March 2, 2024: Yoga Barn - Ubud, Bali 3rd Year Anniversary ALL SOUL EVERYTHING
  • March 22, 2024: Private Reading with Q&A Kedewatan, Bali
  • Global Tour Dates - TBA

Critical Reception and Testimonials

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  • Eric Arnold, SF Weekly: "Imagine the lyrical finesse of MC Lyte with the revolutionary intellectualism of Sister Souljah."
  • DJ Zeph: "Her sound reminds me of why I got into music in the first place."
  • Yarah Bravo: "She is colorful and a queen when she steps on stage."
  • Shania D.: "Her music is bold, bass-heavy, and sweltering with swagga and intensity."
  • Wise Intelligent (Poor Righteous Teachers): "I am a Fan!"
  • Aima the Dreamer (MAMAZ/ J. Boogies Dubtronic Science- OM): "She has an edge lyrically and musically; other artists take note."
  • Eternia (Canada’s Finest FemCee): "I was honored to get to tour with Chela the artist alongside Bahamadia, Invincible, Roxanne Shante, DJ Shortee, and myself."
  • Uwe of the RuffCats: "She is an extraordinary artist and performer that truly captured the soul of the ruffcats."
  • The Minister of Information JR (POCC Block Report Radio): "She is one of few new voices coming out of the Bay who definitely is bringing something unique and creative to the west coast cultural soundscape."
  • Duncan Cooper (principal dancer - Alvin Ailey Dance Theater of Harlem): "Her music is what we all think but are afraid to say, no apologies, just real, exposed, and ironic in that way that makes you look at yourself."

References

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References

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