A Dialogue with Black women comedians and musicians
Top row: Nadirah Shakoor, Malina Moye; Bottom row: Janelle James, Zuh-Cari, Victoria Vincent Nadirah Shakoor (Krannert Center for the Performing Arts), Malina Moye (Isaiah-Mays), Janelle James (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP), Zuh-Cari (Instagram), Victoria Vincent
This week, Black women with connections to Central Illinois are making strides in music and comedy.
Nadirah Shakoor is best known as the former lead female vocalist of the hip hop group Arrested Development. She’s had a long career, working with big names like Madonna and Quincy Jones, she also spent nearly three decades as the featured female vocalist of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. During the last week of February, she performed at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. But a few days before, she spoke with Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield. Click here to listen to her entire interview.
Actor Janelle James portrays principal Ava Coleman on ABC's top-rated Abbott Elementary, a comedy about an under resourced Philadelphia grade school. But as she told Jimmy Kimmel Live, her comedy career begin in Champaign. The native of the US Virgin Islands native performed extensively in Peoria as well. Click here to listen to her entire interview with The 21st Show.
Singer-songwriter Malina Moye is known for her unique way of playing the guitar. She also lived unhoused for a time in Los Angeles before releasing her first number one album. Last fall, she performed at the Ellnora Guitar Festival at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Before the show, she spoke with Morning Edition host Kimberly Schofield. Click here to listen to her entire interview.
Victoria Vincent is a rising star in the Chicago comedy scene. She started her career as a healthcare worker and still holds her medical license. In February, she performed at the Illini Union. Vincent also spoke with Kimberly Schofield about her success as a Black female comic and what it’s like being the only comedian in a family of medical professionals. Click here to listen to her entire interview.
Zacari Moore, who goes by Zuh-Cari the Artist is based out of Springfield and grew up in Decatur. We're bringing you an interview with her from The 21st Show conducted by Brian Mackey, where she talked about the death of a loved one and her musical journey reflected in her poetry and hip-hop. Click here to listen to her entire interview.