Biography
read full storyFrom her childhood, growing up in the rich musical tradition of Louisiana, Meagan Simone was constantly surrounded by the sweet sounds of Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Reggae. Music of all genres has always been her ...
American born Meagan Simone is a phenomenal roots reggae and fusion artist currently based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her tremendous positive energy, beauty and stage presence perfectly complement her strikingly soulful voice, creating the perfect blend of sound and look for a budding reggae star.
From her childhood, growing up in the rich musical tradition of Louisiana, Meagan Simone was constantly surrounded by the sweet sounds of Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Reggae. Music of all genres has always been her passion and driving force but at a relatively young age, reggae music touched her soul and resonated with her on a spiritual level. After discovering her mom’s old collection of reggae and soul, digging for new knowledge of the genre’s, and visiting Jamaica with friends and family, Meagan gained a profound love and true understanding of Roots, Ras Tafari, and Reggae. Although Meagan Simone is a Roots Reggae artist, she has never forgotten her Louisiana musical roots and Blues, Jazz, Neo-Soul, and R&B continue to influence her music, creating a truly unique style of Reggae.
Meagan is a classically trained singer, having intensively studied music at the top-flight music programs of both the University of New Orleans as well as Virginia State University, where she obtained her B.A. in Mass Communication and Music. Additionally, she completed her M.A. in Media Management from Virginia State University in order to add music/media business acumen to her already impressive list of talents.
Meagan Simone has performed on Showtime at the Apollo, auditioned for American Idol, and most recently won Song of the Year at the 2013 Virginia Reggae Awards for her single Fire, released in November 2013. Last year, she also burst on the Virginia Reggae scene, running away with the title as the Virginia Reggae Awards New Artist of the Year 2012. Meagan was also nominated for the Rising Female Reggae Artist of the Year Award at the 1st Annual AIRM Reggae Awards Show held in New York City. In July 2012, Meagan Simone entered the Fire Riddim Contest sponsored by Reggaeville.com and Tom Fire (a reputable Reggae producer from Paris, France); submitting her original song Fire Queen and received rave reviews. The Tom Fire Riddim also features heavy hitters like Linval Thompson, Taiwan MC, Derajah, and Biga Ranx.
Apart from Meagan Simone’s success in the studio and the award stage, she has quickly built a reputation as a tremendous stage performer. In the summer of 2011, Meagan Simone embarked on a Promotional Tour in Canada. She performed for over 500 people at Ottawa's Jamaica Day Celebration, and numerous venues in Montreal, Canada. During her time in Montreal she attracted the attention of the Canadian Reggae scene and recorded a Rasta Love duet entitled To The Right, with Canada's own King Mee. While in Canada, Meagan Simone also featured on bills with reggae/dancehall superstars like Gyptian, Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham and she opened for conscious dancehall artist I-Octane. In March, 2012 Meagan Simone was invited to perform alongside female recording artists Khalilah Rose and Etana in the Women’s History Tribute at the World Beat Cultural Center in San Diego, California. A few months later Meagan and Dub Band 27 Lights of Pennsylvania went on a highly successful two-month Soul Trance Tour of the east coast. The tour included venues peppered across many states including: New York, Maryland, Georgia, Louisiana (where they opened for the Legendary Meditations), and Texas.
2014 promises to be the year Meagan Simone triumphantly bursts into the reggae world as a consistent star with staying power. So far this year, she has voiced with several labels worldwide such as Born Free Records (Germany, Miami), Riddim Yut Productions (South Africa), Indie Rootz Records (Canada) and Rory of Stone Love Sound System (Jamaica). Meagan most recently opened for Capleton and the Prophecy Band on their U.S. Tour and is currently collaborating internationally as a vocalist and songwriter with producers such as Serial P. of Dubwise Factory in France, DJ Baay of Almeria, Spain, Biggz of Virginia Beach, Digital Dubs Sound System of Brazil, Earl Chinna Smith of Jamaica; and artists like Rasta Blues musician Corey Harris, Derajah of Inna de Yard, Roots Empress Nakeeba Ameniya, and Reggae Songstress Tamika Otto, who is also the wife of German reggae superstar Gentleman. March 2013, the Indie-Rootz Record label released Meagan’s new single Oh Judah on their Genzeb Compilation. This Winter, Meagan will also be featured on Indie-Rootz Records’ Natty Congo compilation; featuring her song, The Road Is Rough.
From her childhood, growing up in the rich musical tradition of Louisiana, Meagan Simone was constantly surrounded by the sweet sounds of Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Reggae. Music of all genres has always been her passion and driving force but at a relatively young age, reggae music touched her soul and resonated with her on a spiritual level. After discovering her mom’s old collection of reggae and soul, digging for new knowledge of the genre’s, and visiting Jamaica with friends and family, Meagan gained a profound love and true understanding of Roots, Ras Tafari, and Reggae. Although Meagan Simone is a Roots Reggae artist, she has never forgotten her Louisiana musical roots and Blues, Jazz, Neo-Soul, and R&B continue to influence her music, creating a truly unique style of Reggae.
Meagan is a classically trained singer, having intensively studied music at the top-flight music programs of both the University of New Orleans as well as Virginia State University, where she obtained her B.A. in Mass Communication and Music. Additionally, she completed her M.A. in Media Management from Virginia State University in order to add music/media business acumen to her already impressive list of talents.
Meagan Simone has performed on Showtime at the Apollo, auditioned for American Idol, and most recently won Song of the Year at the 2013 Virginia Reggae Awards for her single Fire, released in November 2013. Last year, she also burst on the Virginia Reggae scene, running away with the title as the Virginia Reggae Awards New Artist of the Year 2012. Meagan was also nominated for the Rising Female Reggae Artist of the Year Award at the 1st Annual AIRM Reggae Awards Show held in New York City. In July 2012, Meagan Simone entered the Fire Riddim Contest sponsored by Reggaeville.com and Tom Fire (a reputable Reggae producer from Paris, France); submitting her original song Fire Queen and received rave reviews. The Tom Fire Riddim also features heavy hitters like Linval Thompson, Taiwan MC, Derajah, and Biga Ranx.
Apart from Meagan Simone’s success in the studio and the award stage, she has quickly built a reputation as a tremendous stage performer. In the summer of 2011, Meagan Simone embarked on a Promotional Tour in Canada. She performed for over 500 people at Ottawa's Jamaica Day Celebration, and numerous venues in Montreal, Canada. During her time in Montreal she attracted the attention of the Canadian Reggae scene and recorded a Rasta Love duet entitled To The Right, with Canada's own King Mee. While in Canada, Meagan Simone also featured on bills with reggae/dancehall superstars like Gyptian, Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Baby Cham and she opened for conscious dancehall artist I-Octane. In March, 2012 Meagan Simone was invited to perform alongside female recording artists Khalilah Rose and Etana in the Women’s History Tribute at the World Beat Cultural Center in San Diego, California. A few months later Meagan and Dub Band 27 Lights of Pennsylvania went on a highly successful two-month Soul Trance Tour of the east coast. The tour included venues peppered across many states including: New York, Maryland, Georgia, Louisiana (where they opened for the Legendary Meditations), and Texas.
2014 promises to be the year Meagan Simone triumphantly bursts into the reggae world as a consistent star with staying power. So far this year, she has voiced with several labels worldwide such as Born Free Records (Germany, Miami), Riddim Yut Productions (South Africa), Indie Rootz Records (Canada) and Rory of Stone Love Sound System (Jamaica). Meagan most recently opened for Capleton and the Prophecy Band on their U.S. Tour and is currently collaborating internationally as a vocalist and songwriter with producers such as Serial P. of Dubwise Factory in France, DJ Baay of Almeria, Spain, Biggz of Virginia Beach, Digital Dubs Sound System of Brazil, Earl Chinna Smith of Jamaica; and artists like Rasta Blues musician Corey Harris, Derajah of Inna de Yard, Roots Empress Nakeeba Ameniya, and Reggae Songstress Tamika Otto, who is also the wife of German reggae superstar Gentleman. March 2013, the Indie-Rootz Record label released Meagan’s new single Oh Judah on their Genzeb Compilation. This Winter, Meagan will also be featured on Indie-Rootz Records’ Natty Congo compilation; featuring her song, The Road Is Rough.