Chela Simone, also known as Holly Saucy, was born on March 24 in Oakland, California. She began her professional training in opera, classical flute, and piano at age 9, and joined the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley at age 13, laying a solid foundation for her versatile career.
At 14, Chela started her music career as an emcee on the “Spit Kicker Tour” under the alias Tiye Selah, gaining attention for her conscious lyrics and dynamic performances. She featured in the "Gavin Convention" showcases with the duo "Children of Maryjane" and became the lead vocalist for the West Indian band "Junglz Apart," performing at events like “Reggae on the River” and " Shoreline Amphitheater" and the “Afribean Festival.” Collaborations with Om recording artist Colossus, King Kooba, and tours with artists like Capitol-A and MC Azeem showcased her versatility.
In 2011, she released two mixtapes, “Holly’s Hobbies” and “Insomnia Wins,” and embarked on the BET Music Matters Tour with Marsha Ambrosius and Melanie Fiona. Her project “Death of a Mermaid” received critical acclaim for its innovative blend of '80s pop and '90s alternative sounds, featuring contributors like Jaswho? and Yohimbe J. Sampson.
Using various aliases, Chela has performed in major cities worldwide, including The Witches Ball in Bronx, NYC; Hiero Day in Oakland; Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California; Les Caves de Manoir in Martigny, Switzerland; and more. Her skills in rapping, singing, and spoken word have earned her recognition in the global art community.
Chela has collaborated on numerous tracks, including the chart-topping "Good Voodoo" with Jay Haze and Kiki, which was successful in Eastern Europe, Japan, and France. She has performed in over 500 shows, captivating audiences with her engaging stage presence.
The We B Girlz Tour was pivotal in Chela's career, featuring her alongside influential female artists like Roxanne Shanté, Bahamadia, Invincible, Eternia, Stacy Epps, Yarah Bravo, and DJ Shortee. This all-female hip-hop tour promoted gender equality and highlighted women's contributions to the genre, underscoring Chela's commitment to empowering women in the music industry.
Chela has performed with notable peers such as Sa Ra, Giles Peterson, KRS-One, Pharaoh Monch, Talib Kweli, Common, Del the Funky Homosapien, J*Davey, Hieroglyphics, The Roots, Atmosphere, Abstract Rude, Medusa, Lyrics Born, Saafir & The Whoridas, Mystic, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, A-Plus & Knobody, Strange Fruit Project, and The Living Legends.
Featured Songs and Song Credits:
Throughout her career, Chela Simone has released multiple projects and has been featured on numerous notable tracks:
2004:
- Azeem – "Show Business" Composer / Vocalist
2005:
- DJ Child Azeem – Rise Up Mixtape Composer / Vocalist
2007:
- DJ Zeph and Azeem on OM Records releases Composer / Vocalist
- True Justice – "The Heist" (Hidden City Records) Composer / Vocalist
- Uncharted - True Justice & Spark aka Pac Man – Independent Splendid - Guerrilla Funk Recordings Composer / Vocalist
- Chela Simone - "Ineffable - the leak" (2007) Composer / Vocalist
2009:
- Kiki – "Kaiku" (BPitch Control) – "Good Voodoo" Composer / Vocalist
- Fuckpony - - "Let The Love Flow", "Fall Into Me" Composer / Vocalist
- Steve Bug – "The Lab 02" – "Good Voodoo" Composer / Vocalist
- Dixon – "Temporary Secretary" – Composer / Vocalist "Good Voodoo" (Visionquest Remix)"
- Chela Simone – Single: "If You Never Call" (Microsoft)
- Chela Simone - EP: " Blah Blah Blah" Composer / Vocalist
2010: Chela Simone – "Death Of a Mermaid"
Chela Simone Speaks on Her New Album ‘Death of a Mermaid’ and More:
2011:
- Holly Saucy -EP: Insomnia Wins -Composer / Vocalist
- Holly Saucy - EP: Holly's Hobbies -Composer / Vocalist
- Holly Saucy - Single: Nothing Matters (the Relikks) f/ King Kooba and Four Tet -Composer / Vocalist
- Holly Saucy - EP: I didn't go to church -Composer / Vocalist
- Jay Haze – Single: "Love = Evolution" Contexterrior – "I Need A Lover" -Composer / Vocalist
2016:
- 7th Dynasty - Unity Lewis - Bring it Back -Composer / Vocalist
2018:
- A-Plus & Knobody – Single: "Grow Theory" – "That Universal" -Composer / Vocalist
Radio and Journalism
From 2007 to 2009, Chela Simone hosted a two-hour-long radio broadcast called "Rize Up Radio" on 104.1 FM Berkeley Liberation Radio. She was the resident in-store DJ for Adidas in Berkeley, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Her radio work includes hosting and engaging with audiences, sharing her expertise and love for music and culture.
She has also contributed to the SF Bay View and other outlets as a journalist, providing insightful commentary and articles.
After working in the music industry, Chela Simone focused on supporting women artists, particularly Black women facing industry challenges. She offered her time free of charge to help move their projects forward.
Enjoying the background more than being on stage, her competence and persistence helped several well-known artists advance their careers. While she still offers consulting occasionally, Chela now focuses on her own creative projects.
As a certified herbalist, NLP, CBT, REBT, Women's Empowerment Coach, and aromatherapist, Chela founded 9 Degree Alchemy. Inspired by her education and upbringing, she curated global fundraisers featuring wellness practitioners, artists, and creators.
Chela owns 9 Degree LLC, comprising Control the Alternatives (e-commerce), 9 Degree Alchemy (beauty brand), and Ina Noire (nonprofit). These enterprises aim for a positive social impact with a 100% profit donation model.
In 2015, Chela curated Fero Fest, a live music benefit for four women-led bands, raising $15,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participating artists included Aima the Dreamer, Jasmine Mitchell (Melodiousfly), Chela Simone, Queens D Light, and Duckwrth.
In 2016, she curated a two-day gala event, The Witches Ball, at the 117,000 sq. ft. Andrew Freedman Home. The event featured collections from 12 fine artists, 45 vendors, live entertainment, and two short film screenings, raising $25,000 to support participating artists.
Notable artists from The Witches Ball included:
Fabiola Jean-Louis: Conceptual photographer and paper sculptor, exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sara Bunn: Textile artist known for "A Day in the Life of Seneca Village: We Wore More than Shackles." Momar Clemons: An artist renowned for his mixed media work and impactful visual narratives. Navin Norling: Versatile artist exploring cultural and social themes. Cannon Hersey: Photographer and public artist focused on social justice. Natalie Collette Wood: Multidisciplinary artist addressing environmental and societal issues. Kool Herc: DJ Kool Herc is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of hip-hop. Yazarah St. James: Vocalist with Grammy-considered album "The Ballad of Purple St. James." . Ida Divine: A soulful artist known for her captivating performances and powerful voice.
Special Projects
Chela was the project lead and director for a financial literacy panel titled “How Far Have We Come? Economics and Equality” at the City University of New York. In partnership with Sloane Celeste von Wertz, Ph.D., Lecturer and Developmental/ESL Coordinator CUNY ESL Discipline, Council Co-Chair Department of English and the College of Staten Island/City University of New York, the panel aimed to demystify financial concepts and engage the audience in discussions about economic equality. Chela's leadership and coordination of this event underscore her dedication to empowering communities through education and financial literacy.
Motivated by innovation, Chela developed the GoalTrack App in 2013, a personal finance app for freelancers, gig workers, and artists. This app simplifies budgeting using the 50/30/20 rule, connecting to all bank accounts and credit cards to track spending and set financial goals.
CURRENT THEATER PROJECT :
"Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe"
Currently, Chela is working on a solo theater presentation titled "Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe," debuting in Fall 2024. The show follows Grae Lilly Wolfe, a complex antihero, as she untangles the oppressive external forces and inner demons that haunt her. The narrative explores themes of trauma, dissociation, misogyny, and cycles of harm, offering a raw and poetic journey through Grae's personal truth and empowerment.
Synopsis of "Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe"
The solo theater presentation follows Grae Lilly Wolfe in the aftermath of an undisclosed incident that leaves her isolated in a police interrogation room. Grae shares her formative experiences growing up in East Oakland, highlighting themes of trauma, dissociation, misogyny, and cycles of harm.
The story shifts between childhood memories, personal revelations, vivid ruminations, and shocking developments. Grae's struggle to overcome and embrace her nature is at the core of the story, which delves into provocative social issues and existential questions about vulnerability, consent, guilt, and ultimately the end.
The production promises a visceral journey of self-reckoning, blending raw emotion, social commentary, and touches of fantasy.