Katey Red
Born and raised in Uptown's Melpomene Projects, rapper Katey Red holds the distinction of being the first transgender MC to rise to prominence in New Orleans - and probably the world. Katey grew up twirling batons in the Walter L. Cohen High School marching band and rapping with her friends in school corridors and the courtyards of the Melpomene. After the popular local artist DJ Jubilee spotted Katey rapping at a block party in 1998, he suspected he was seeing a new sensation, and promptly brought her to his label, Take Fo Records, which was at the time the top bounce-music label in the city. Katey's striking appearance, playful rhymes and infectious beats, courtesy of Jubilee, turned the young performer into a phenomenon who crossed boundaries with her assured self-confidence and out-and-proud lyrics.