Solo Artist Quashani Bahd™. Born in the heart of Southern Africa; Zimbabwe. With ancestry hailing from South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania, embracing Melbourne's culture and its diversity, she has called Melbourne home for over two decades.
At the tender age of 9 years old her sense of adventure and love for music had her curious about her Fathers vast music collection. Her Father had a very eclectic collection and taste in music from Soul,Reggae,Jazz, Blues, RnB, World Music, Pop and Rock.
Never having studied music and coming from a musically gifted family, Quashani grew up singing in choirs at school & church and at home. Her love for Drama, Public Speaking and Debate at school also meant that she always felt at home on stage in the spotlight.
The first song Quashani ever learned and performed at the age of 9 for a class ‘show and tell’ was the Shoop Shoop "It's in His Kiss", a song written and composed by Rudy Clark. Made a hit when recorded by Betty Everett in 1964 and since recorded by dozens of artists and groups around the world in the decades since.
Quashani debuted with Dub Vyze Sound (Ranji Wickremasinge) [Irie Band] and (Kavinda Senanayake) at the acclaimed Oz Soul'Collective on the 20th of February 2011 at the Toff in Town showcasing her signature acoustic style “regglues”.
She has in the last decade had the opportunity to work with some of Melbourne’s acclaimed resident reggae and dancehall selectors as well as promoters, adding some fresh dancehall to her repertoire. Notably; Jesse I & Ras Crucial (Chant Down Sound) More Fire, Sista Itations (Natty Sistren Sound) Pressure Drop, So Fire (I love Dancehall), Dj Pit (Pull Up Selector), Jesse I & Troublemekka (Yard Bounce), Ras Tonny & RastaGirl Entertainment (Mashup Friday’s) and Stick Mareebo & Zare Demus (Jamaican Music and Food Festival).
Quashani’s nostalgic lyrical mash-ups of 90’s RnB lyrics on Dancehall riddims have earned her the title of ‘Dancehall Queen’ on the Melbourne scene.Supported by I Love Dancehall; a Melbourne institution celebrating 17 years run by DJ So Fire who started out on soundsystems in the UK and Europe.
Quashani Bahd has had the honour of opening for acts like Sister Nancy, Kevin Lyttle, Konshens & Charly Black, Bushman and Stranger Cole.
Her sweet and soulful vocals have been likened to such greats as Lauryn Hill and Ms Erykah Badu which is always a huge compliment for the songbird.
Since Quashani’s debut on the Melbourne Reggae and Dancehall scene in 2011 she has been blessed to be nominated for Music Victoria Awards 2019 ‘Best Reggae & Dancehall Act’.
In 2020 this Queen levelled up, officially adding the title of Disc Jockey to her belt. Quashani debuted at I Love Dancehall for the online parties during the pandemic. She also played numerous livestream sets including a monthly set she hosted last Sunday of the month showcasing nothing but local talent in support of her musical peers as well as the much loved ‘Pyjama Wine’ that she hosted first Friday of every month during the lockdowns.
In 2023 the Queen has earned herself a residency at Vodka Temple playing Mashup Friday’s thanks to promoters Ras Tonny and RastaGirl Entertainment.
2021 was a fruitful year with the release of the much anticipated Bahd Gyal Rhymes on May 22nd. The EP is a collection of true stories written by Queen Quashani inspired by traditional nursery school rhymes and playground chants. Bahd Gyal Rhymes is a tantalising twenty minutes of Reggae, Hip Hop, Dancehall and RnB. Produced by local Melbourne crew Simmer Town and mixed & mastered by Kayboku (Minnie Studios). This talented Queen went as far as styling and shooting the EP cover herself in the middle of the pandemic.
Bahd Gyal Rhymes can be found on all all streaming platforms including but not limited to iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, Google Play, YouTube, Pandora, Deezer, Tidal, TikTok/Resso, Napster to name a few.
2022 promised to be a great year for this Queen releasing a couple of singles off the long awaited self titled album ‘Rising’ produced by Californian native Elliott Treves of Anoesis Studios. .
In addition to her solo pursuits. Quashani Bahd’s love for music has her involved in four part female Melbourne outfit Kundalila (Acoustic /Acapella) 2009 till present. This songbird is also one half of Melbourne’s dynamic duo Bahdoesa (Hip-Hop/ Dancehall/ RnB) which was formed in 2013. Her longstanding romance with Dancehall has had her also play a big role in the documentation of the I Love Dancehall parties since 2012 showcasing her event photography talent. She is also the founder, designer and stylist for fashion House of Bahd formerly known as House of Bohochic founded in 2010.
In 2017, Quashani levelled up and added the title of DJ to her repertoire.
