Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricquélle Badger.
Ricquélle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always been an influential, intricate, and inspirational part of my life. You could hear music being played in the house from artists like Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and Spinners on Saturday morning clean up to CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton, and Fred Hammond on the Sunday morning car ride to church. I’ve always found music to be empowering because it has the ability to uplift and alter any mood. Whether you’re in an upbeat, chill, love struck, overcoming heartbreak, or turnt up vibe, you can almost always find a song to match how you’re feeling in any given moment. I was introduced to music through my parents. My father sang in an acapella group called The Apostles in Philadelphia, PA and in college he sang with The Jubilation Singers at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He also sang in the group Gospel Voices of Faith. I grew up in church and sang in the choir before becoming one of the pianists. Both my parents were ministers. My mother was also one of the leaders on the praise team.
A member of the praise team who was the pianist at the time (Irmgard Bittar) told my parents when I was around seven years old that I was to play the piano. She even blessed me and my parents with an upright piano and offered piano lessons to further invest in my training. Even though at the time, I would procrastinate practicing, I’m forever grateful for my mom’s consistent encouragement in keeping me focused. Even if that meant waking me up in the middle of the night to practice when I thought I had gotten over missing a daily practice before my weekly lesson. I’m also thankful for every music teacher I had the pleasure of studying under. From Ms. Bittar who introduced me to the world of classical music such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, to my aunt Jacqueline Colbert who put me on to the hymns and enhanced my training incorporating gospel artists like Donnie McClurkin and Yolonda Adams. I can’t forget about Ms. Kendra Parks who added Jazz to the mix. I’ve had several music teachers over the years who have helped developed and shape my ear. I definitely appreciate the women in my life who have contributed great musical influence. Women like my aunt Carola Gaines and aunt Laura Davis just to name a few.
One woman in particular who always pushed me to trust my ear was my mom. She would write songs and I would put music to her words. Seeing her put her thoughts to music inspired me to write out my own feelings and put melodies to it. I would perform some of my original works at high school talent shows channeling my inner Alicia Keys by playing the piano while singing. My mom would also be a great teacher in helping me learn that no matter what, you always keep going. She would enter me in music competitions and if I didn’t win, she would always encourage me to persevere and stick with it. My parents enrolled me in a music clinic which challenged my resilience. I was faced with adversity being one of few black students amongst a pool of white students, some of whom saw color over talent. I was ready to leave after three days in and my dad insisted that I stay and show those students why I deserved to be there. Looking back, I’m glad he made me stay because not only did I open the show at the end of the clinic, but I also received a standing ovation from even the parents of those students who gave me a difficult time.
My writing didn’t just stop in high school. I continued through college. One of my favorite collaborators is my sister Kryssy Lyric D. We discovered our shared passion for music specifically lyrics as we bonded over Keri Hilson’s “Turn my swag on” remix and Nicki Minaj’s “I get crazy”. Kryssy would be another female in my life who would be a motivating factor and keep me pushing my pen. I started writing and released Covergirl Project in October 2017. We kept writing, contributed music to Erinna McKissick’s Leaving Egypt, and released Covergirl Project 2: Mind Over Matter in December 2020. We continued writing, collaborated on works such as Adore’s “Solitude”, and will be releasing Covergirl Project 3: No Magazine later this year.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I’ve faced many hurdles on this journey and I can confidently say that those very hurdles and obstacles have made me into the woman and artist that I am today. Aside from being a female in a heavily male-dominated field, earning the respect and being taken seriously for my talent is a constant challenge. One that I am prepared to take on and conquer. I’m most thankful to the artists that I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work and collaborate with thus far as we have created some amazing art together. Another hurdle that I face is finding the balance between being a mother and co-parent to two sons, working a full-time job, spending time with family and loved ones all while staying creative. Constantly working to evolve as an artist as well as maintaining authenticity. There just aren’t enough hours in the day however, you have to make time for what you want in life. I’m still learning better ways to manage time and rest so I can have the energy to do it all again day after day. An additional obstacle I faced much like everyone else was the impact of the pandemic. It was a huge adjustment in shifting how we worked and created. Doing things virtually was a new adaptation for me as technology was not one of my strengths.
From communicating edits of songs with engineers and finalizing cover art (Ellastic Designs) through email correspondence to utilizing Zoom for creative meetings, rehearsing scenes for Ebony Adell’s SxEyecon web series, and holding virtual castings in Atlanta has definitely been a fun process. Initially, I was intimidated but my children whom I also refer to as my youngins helped push me to become more comfortable and see the many benefits of technology. It was funners incorporating my youngins on Covergirl Project 2 and collaborating with my oldest son who created and contributed music to Covergirl Project 3. Being an independent artist, financial limitations are another constant hurdle as it takes money to make money. When there are moments when I have no idea where the funds are going to come from to pay for everything from visuals, photo shoots, hair and makeup, to studio time, as me and my best friend Nessa have been saying for many years “God Provides” and he always does! I’m continuing to learn how to better budget, prioritize, and I find that everything always works out and comes together in the end. One of the biggest challenges that I face daily is the fact that my mom is not physically here with me. God called her home April 17, 2010. She battled with cancer and even though I can’t pick up the phone and call her for advice on how to deal with life, parent my youngins, or get her opinion on my art, I feel her presence as she continues to guide, motivate, and push me to be and do better.
One of my most difficult performances was at her homecoming service. Not because she had more than one with over 1,000 people in attendance, but because I couldn’t look out in the audience and see her facial expressions or hand gestures letting me know how I was doing. For a while after her passing, I lost passion for creating music and momentarily stopped writing. It was two more women who encouraged me during one of the lowest points in my life. First was my aunt Dianne Johnson who on the day of my college graduation (UW Milwaukee) told me that there is more than one way to get somewhere. She also reassured me that even if I take a different route, I can always get where I need to go. This being after I had my second child and was contemplating not walking for graduation. Second was my aunt Connie James who at my mother’s home going service, both our eyes filled with tears, told me to keep writing. This being after I had performed an original song inspired by my mother and grandmother who also battled and passed away from cancer. Again women in my life keep me focused, grounded, pray for me and my family, and give me the courage and strength to continue on this music journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a singer/songwriter/model. I dabble in a handful of creative arts. My main focus is music (recording artist) however, I have also modeled for Ebony Adell’s TSXDH collection and landed the role as her in her upcoming autobiographical SxEyecon web series shooting here in Atlanta. I’m most proud of my role as a mom. I’m proud that I’m able to see my youngins ball hard at basketball games, win basketball championships, pick them up from soccer practice, and still make chicken wings or tacos for dinner. They are my biggest motivating factor that keeps me going and I’m glad they get to see the hustle and grind that me and their father have to aspire to. It’s hard for me to answer what sets me apart from others as I feel my answer would be cliche and similar to many other artists. I could
say my work ethic or my goal to put out quality content or striving to outdo my last body of work competing with myself. Ultimately I feel you need to ask my supporters what sets me apart from others. I’m so appreciative and grateful for my supporters who have been rocking with me from the beginning and ride the waves with me. They truly keep me inspired and motivated.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very determined and energetic child growing up. My parents would describe me as a “social butterfly” as I was often able to make friends fast and with people from diverse backgrounds. Myself and my brothers were always encouraged to identify our passions and stay tunnel vision with setting and accomplishing our goals. We were busied with summer camps and college access programs to ensure that we weren’t distracted as well as expand our horizons. Even at a young age, I was always fascinated by culture and enjoyed experiencing and celebrating people’s differences through food, art, music, and dance. I was also into song credits. When CD’s were a thing, I was intrigued by seeing all of the names of people who contributed and were part of creating a body of work that I would enjoy listening to over and over. Initially, I would have to sneak purchasing secular CD’s because we weren’t allowed to listen to them in the house. I remember making my Christmas list requesting a Destiny’s Child or Christina Aguilera CD, and my mom would instead gift me the gospel equivalent like Virtue or Mary Mary which had Destiny’s Child featured. Or Stacie Orrico which low key put me on and introduced me to more great and equally talented artists. Reading through the credits of artists like Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love and Usher’s Confessions not only opened my ears to great music and artistry but also my eyes to some of music’s greatest songwriters and producers. I would say I’m still very much a determined and energetic child at heart as I continue to stay driven with creating art that will encourage, inspire, and motivate people to never give up on themselves no matter what hurdles they may face. Despite whatever choices we make, we are not the sum of our decisions and we can always grow and evolve into the best versions of ourselves. Giving the world something to talk about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/quellez
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quellez
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-T-flh_-7GU
- SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/quellez_3
Image Credits:
Shun P Films Bridstylz Fashionable Demand Marquayla Ellison Rosebudtee makeup TSXDH, King Quis Productions
