Mahogany Jones

Charyse Lois Marshall (born August 8, 1978), better known by the stage name Mahogany Jones, is an American inspirational female rapper,[1] singer, songwriter, community activist,[2][3] and arts educator.[4][5] Born in Mt. Vernon, New York, United States, she later moved to California as a child, then back to New York City before deciding to permanently reside in Detroit, Michigan in 2004. She is most noted for her appearance on BET's 106 & Park Freestyle Fridays as the first four-time undefeated champion in 2001. She is also known around the world as a Hip-hop Ambassador having served as a cultural ambassador[6] with American Music Abroad[7] and other programs under the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2012[8][9][10] and 2013.[11][12]

Mahogany Jones
Birth nameCharyse Lois Marshall (Bailey)
BornMt. Vernon, New York, United States
OriginDetroit, Michigan, United States
GenresHip hop, conscious hip hop, soul, gospel, inspirational music
Occupation(s)Musician, rapper, poet, songwriter, cultural ambassador, arts educator
Years active2001–present
Websitemahoganyjones.com

Freestyle Friday

The test of her skills as an emcee and her rise to notoriety came when Toni Blackman suggested that Mahogany Jones compete in a rap battle on the cable network BET's program 106 & Park in a new segment known as Freestyle Friday. Prior to Jones, there had been no female rappers that managed to compete without losing. Feeling the pressure, Mahogany made a bargain with God before appearing on the show to use her new emcee skills to glorify him if he allowed her to win. To everyone's amazement, but her own, she won her battle, not once, but four times in a row. However, to uphold her promise to God, Jones stepped away from the competition leaving the show as the only four time undefeated champion and first undefeated female champion.

Music ambassador

January 2012, at the behest of her mentor, Toni Blackman, Mahogany Jones applied for American Music Abroad, a cultural diplomacy program built on the legacy of the Jazz Ambassadors program and facilitated by American Voices on behalf of the U.S. State Department. Jones assembled a four-person ensemble called Mahogany Jones- Live with Lauren "L Boog" Johnson on percussion, Rosalyn Welch as background vocalist, DJ Sean Blu, who is an award-winning Pepsi DJ, and herself as the headliner and main vocalist. The group was one of 12 ensembles selected out of nearly 300 applicants[13][14] to travel abroad and represent the nation. Mahogany Jones-Live performed in Washington, D.C. as part of their tour before flying to Africa to perform in Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Ethiopia. While there, Jones taught workshops[15] with local artists, headlined the Amaka Arts Festival[16] in Zambia, appeared on radio shows, performed for students as Livingstone-Kolobeng College and National University of Rwanda,[17][18] as well as for dignitaries and Vice President of Zambia and his family.

In 2013, American Voices asked Jones to serve as a performer - instructor with their Y.E.S. Academy in Iraq, Jones taught hip-hop theater and emceeing classes alongside Broadway performer, Michael Parks and break dancer, Cricket.[19][20] The academy was located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, however Mahogany also performed at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq during the trip.

Discography

Albums

Compilations
  • Bridge Wars (Queensbridge Records) 2011[28][29]

References
  1. "Mahogany Jones | New Music And Songs". MTV. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  2. "Mahogany Jones to release 'Pure Volume 1' – The Michigan Citizen". Michigancitizen.com. January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  3. Jason 'CONQUEST' Roberts. "Mahogany Jones: A Lover & Fighter With 'PURE' Intentions". Jam the Hype. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  4. "Writers-in-Residence – InsideOut Literary Arts Project". Insideoutdetroit.org. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  5. "Who Understands Me But Me? A Youth Voices Conference. – InsideOut Literary Arts Project". Insideoutdetroit.org. December 28, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  6. "American Music Abroad Cultivates Next Generation of Voices". Washdiplomat.com. December 27, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  7. "U.S. Department of State Announces American Music Abroad Tour to Africa". State.gov. September 10, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  8. "U.S. Department of State and American Voices Announce 2012- 2013 American Music Abroad Participants". State.gov. March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  9. Montemurri, Patricia. "Music | Detroit Free Press". Freep.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  10. "Mahogany Jones Returns From African Music Tour". Dearbornfreepress.com. November 28, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  11. "Yes Academy Iraq 20–30 June". Erbil Lifestyle. June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  12. "Events | Consulate General of the United States Sao Paulo, Brazil". Saopaulo.usconsulate.gov. January 3, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  13. "Eastpointe Hip-Hop Artist Headed to Africa As State Department Music Ambassador – Deadline Detroit". Deadlinedetroit.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  14. Firstpost. "Mahogany Jones on Fox 2 Detroit Morning News - Zambia Videos : Firstpost Topic - Page 14". Firstpost.com. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  15. 2012. "US Hip-hop group on Rwanda tour | In2EastAfrica – East African news, Headlines, Business, Tourism, Sports, Health, Entertainment, Education". In2eastafrica.net. Retrieved February 13, 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. "All set for Amaka Arts Festival". Smsmedia.co.zm. October 8, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  17. "American Hip Hop musicians in Kigali | Embassy of the United States Kigali, Rwanda". Rwanda.usembassy.gov. February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  18. "US Hip-hop group on Rwanda tour - The New Times Rwanda". Newtimes.co.rw. October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  19. "Yes Academy Iraq 20–30 June". Erbil Lifestyle. June 30, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  20. "Press Releases | Embassy of the United States Baghdad, Iraq". Iraq.usembassy.gov. July 8, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  21. "Morphed - Mahogany Jones - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  22. "Mahogany Jones". Amvoices.org. April 18, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  23. "Morphed by Mahogany Jones - CD Reviews And Information - NewReleaseToday". Newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  24. "Mahogany Jones of The Yuinon 'Pure Vol. 1' Full Interview - Wade-O Radio". Wadeoradio.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  25. "Listen Free to Mahogany Jones - Pure (feat. Chris Lawson & Kris Johnson) Radio". IheartRadio. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  26. Shabazz, Sherron. "Mahogany Jones: Sugar Water | The Real Hip-Hop".
  27. "Mahogany Jones Releases 'Sugar Water' [LISTEN]". August 22, 2016.
  28. "Bridge Wars". Queensbridgerecords.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  29. "Bridge Wars". Amazon.com. December 1, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
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