When We See Each Other

ABOUT THE GUEST:  Billy Dean Thomas, AKA “The Queer B.I.G.,” is a Hip-hop recording artist and producer born and raised in Harlem, but currently residing in Boston. Billy Dean challenges the music industry with quick witted punchlines that highlight intersectional feminism, social justice. and growing up in a gentrified city.  - Produced and hosted by Nikkiesha McLeod - Produced and edited by Jere...

ABOUT THE GUEST: Axel Kacoutié is an audio artist and poet. For over ten years Axel has been working with sound, music, and words to conjure new thought-forms and perspectives on the familiar. Reviving a magic in the mundane. Axel's work has been featured in productions for the BBC, Spotify, Wondery, and The Guardian, among many others. - Produced and hosted by Nikkiesha McLeod - Produced and...

ABOUT THE GUEST: Tiffadelic is a Detroit-based, Black Goth artist operating within post-punk, darkwave, minimal wave, and synth-driven soundscapes. Drawing vocal inspiration from icons such as Alan Vega, Annie Lennox, Ian Curtis, Jim Morrison, and Grace Slick, she crafts music that is dark, minimal, and emotionally immersive. Known for her enigmatic presence and otherworldly energy, Tiffadelic’s p...

ABOUT THE GUEST: Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Richard Parris Scott has used their artistic practice to build the foundation which their brand stands on. They've performed self-written and produced music with their band at festivals, performed original compositions with the Holyoke Civic Symphony orchestra, and in 2024 released their second full-length album, ‘All’s Good.’ - P...

ABOUT THE GUEST: Featured on shows like 'Good Trouble,' 'Queen Sugar' and 'NAOMI,' T R U V O N N E's cinematic themes and use of synths, subs, and undertones are used to tell stories and create an ambient atmosphere for whoever is listening... and watching. - Official Website: https://www.truvonne.com/ - Produced and hosted by Nikkiesha McLeod - Produced and edited by J...

Nikkiesha McLeod and Iman Carter are joined by author Anastacia-Reneé to discuss her book, ‘Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere,’ a bold hybrid collection of poetry, flash fiction, and Afrofuturism sci-fi. === Iman and Anastacia-Reneé are participants, along with Nikkie, in writing workshops organized by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth...

Nikkiesha McLeod is joined by Iman Carter and Christopher Silverberg to discuss author Anastacia-Reneé’s ‘Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere,’ a bold hybrid collection of poetry, flash fiction, and Afrofuturism sci-fi. === Iman and Christopher are participants, along with Nikkie, in writing workshops organized by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professio...

Host Nikkiesha McLeod dives into an enlightening discussion with Vahn Black, a multifaceted vocalist, producer, and memory worker whose artistic journey reflects a rich tapestry of musical influences and personal identity. The conversation covers everything from the current sociopolitical climate to the intricate process of musical creation. Vahn shares her personal journey of emotional resilience...

Nikkiesha McLeod is joined by Iman Carter and Christopher Silverberg to discuss ‘Bitter,' the speculative fiction/young adult novel by Nigerian non-binary author Akwaeke Emezi – and sequel to ‘Pet,’ which was covered in WWSEO Book Club, Vol. 1. === Iman and Christopher are participants, along with Nikkie, in writing workshops organized by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization committed to culti...

In this episode of "When We See Each Other," host Nikkiesha McLeod sits down with the talented rapper and songwriter, LovelyOcean. Known for their engaging and authentic approach to music, LovelyOcean discusses their journey as an artist, their inspirations, and the challenges they've faced along the way. The episode opens with a powerful track from LovelyOcean titled "Soft," s...

Nikkiesha McLeod welcomes the talented R&B singer-songwriter NYALLAH, diving into their journey of creativity, resilience, and the intricacies of identity in the wake of personal and communal challenges. As they connect, NYALLAH shares their thoughts on navigating growth amidst struggles, notably reflecting on the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles and their impact on the communities they...

Nikkiesha McLeod dives deep with Kimmortal, a queer non-binary Filipino-Canadian musician and visual artist. Kim kicks off the conversation with a look into their creative process, emphasizing how their early experience with music began with an acoustic guitar belonging to their sister, leading to a self-taught journey of songwriting and creativity. They discuss the impact of formative moments, su...

Nikkiesha is joined by Serena Oduro and Christopher Silverberg to discuss 'Pet,' the speculative fiction/young adult novel by Nigerian non-binary author Akwaeke Emezi. === Serena and Christopher are participants, along with Nikkie, in writing workshops organized by Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets. Visit https...

Nikkiesha speaks with Najla Said, a multifaceted Palestinian-Lebanese-Arab-American actress, playwright, author, and activist, known for her poignant memoir ‘Looking for Palestine.’ Najla describes the intricate and painful realities faced by the Palestinian people, especially in light of the ongoing suffering and the recent escalation of violence in Gaza. With the goal of amplifying Palestinian v...

Nikkie speaks with the incredibly talented SuperKnova, a producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter whose music embodies the diverse experiences of BIPOC, queer, trans, and non-binary artists – and has been featured on Showtime’s 'Work In Progress,' Epic Games’ 'Fortnite,' and playlists by Sephora, MTV and Spotify editorial. We begin the episode by showcasing SuperKnova...

Nikkiesha : Hello, world. My name is Nikkiesha McLeod. When We See Each Other is a podcast that focuses on music and art by BIPOC, queer, trans, and non-binary artists, as well as artists I've met and known for some time. Producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, SuperKnova... SuperKnova : You know, it took some time and therapy to really get out the internalized transphobia and real...

Nikkiesha McLeod delves into the world of queer artistry with An Only Child , a captivating musician and dancer whose debut album, ' Prepare the Body ,' is a project steeped in vulnerability. An Only Child shares about their creative journey, starting with their early inspiration to make music, rooted in a childhood filled with singing in the church and an innate urge to express themselves...

Nikkie dives deep into the world of singer-songwriter Mel Fine , whose artistry encapsulates the experience and emotion of being a queer, non-binary person in today's music landscape. Mel reflects on their journey through music and identity, exploring the profound influences that have shaped their path as an artist. They share their earliest memories of music, noting that it has always been a...

Nikkiesha McLeod welcomes the talented singer-songwriter Mackenzie Shivers , a close friend and an acclaimed musician, to share insights into her upcoming album,  Rejection Letter , which is set to be released on April 2nd. The episode begins with Mackenzie's single "Martha's Vineyard," paving the way for an in-depth discussion of the emotional landscape of her music, her artistic...

Nikkie chats with rapper Billy Dean Thomas about their identity, life, and music, including their powerful track "Trust No More" from the EP, For Better or Worse , which delves into the complexities of relationships and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Billy shares their journey into rap, shaped by their experiences in Harlem, and discusses the inherent political dimensions...

Nikkie speaks with the talented Black queer gender-nonconforming R&B artist, NYALLAH about their artistic journey, beginning with an exploration of their childhood influences and how their upbringing in a creatively rich household surrounded by a variety of genres – including jazz, reggae, and R&B – infused their music with diverse sounds and emotions. They reminisce about listening to pow...

Nikkie chats with Anjimile , a talented Black trans artist whose highly anticipated album, ' Giver Taker ,' is set to release on September 18th via Father Daughter Records . Anjimile shares their journey into music, which was inspired by their upbringing in Texas, surrounded by musical siblings and influenced by the eclectic sounds played by their parents during family chores. The conversa...