Katey Red (born May 17, 1983) is a bounce artist and M.C. from New Orleans. Red is most known for being one of the first transgender rappers in bounce music and is credited with creating the sissy bounce genre.
Background Red was born in the Melpomene Projects. She attended Walter L. Cohen High School and was part of the school's marching band.
Career In 1998, DJ Jubilee saw Red rapping at a block party in New Orleans and signed her to his label, Take Fo' Records. She released her first album in 1999, titled "Melpomene Block Party".
Considered the first openly gay bounce artist, Red developed a unique style of bounce, which is often referred to as sissy bounce. Her style is high energy, often employing call and response. She frequently performs and collaborates with other bounce artists, including Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, Vockah Redu, and Cheeky Blakk.
In 2011, Red, along with other New Orleans bounce artists, was the subject of an exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art entitled "Where They At?". The exhibition was also taken to the Abrons Art Center in New York City and the Birdhouse Gallery in Austin.
Red is also a drag artist and performs under the name Keltnny Galliano.
Discography
Studio albums
1999: Melpomene Block Party 2000: Y2 Katey 2013: Katey's Hits
Singles
1999: "Melpomene Block Party" "The Punk Under Pressure"
Music videos
2011: "Where Da Melph At", directed by David S. White 2012: "Dreidel Song" by Gypsyphonic Disko, appears as featured artist 2013: "Don't Speak (Make Ya Booty Go)", directed by David S. White
Collaborations
2000: It's a G Thang by K.C. Redd – performing "Tiddy Bop" with K.C. Redd 2002: Choppa Style by Choppa – performing "Messy B***hes" with Choppa 2010: Ya-Ka-May by Galactic – performing "Katey Vs Nobby" with Sissy Nobby, U.S. Billboard Chart No. 161 2011: New Orleans Bounce Essentials, Vol. 2 – performing "That's My Juvie" with Magnolia Shorty 2013: Son of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys – performing "Sally Racket" with Big Freedia and Akron / Family
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes2011TremeHerselfTV series, episode: "Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues"2011Prince Paul's Adventurous Musical JourneyHerselfTV series documentary, episode: "New Orleans Bounce"2014The Body ElectricActorMusic video by Hurray for the Riff Raff2015Nola?HerselfDocumentaryForthcomingMotherHerselfDocumentary
Awards In 2000, Red received the Best Emerging Rap/Hip-Hop Band or Performer at Offbeat magazine's Best of the Beat Awards.
Personal life Red married in 2017; her musical collaborator and friend Big Freedia was maid of honor.
References