United Music Scene

Follow Mahaya on Instagram Born in Iran, Mahaya struggled with cultural beliefs that hindered her real dreams of becoming a singer and performer. Performing in any kind of way is prohibited and against the law for women so all she could do at that time was close her eyes and imagine herself on a stage. As she grew up, she would listen to idols like Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and Christina Aguilera.For the love of music, she started learning English to be able to cover their songs and slowly learned to write her own songs in Persian ,English and later in French. She eventually was able to convince the principal of her high school to let her have a concert for girls and it was through this that she realized that music is the only career she wanted to pursue in her life no matter what. Financial struggles growing up caused her to wait until she turned 18 and was able to work to afford music lessons herself. She attended Conservatory of Music , studied Music performance and soo...

Our 1st Weekly Issue! + Q&A w/ Joe Lockett + Phil Gates + Prince + Aretha Franklin + Therman Munsin + & so much more!

Article Written by Jhantu Randall After reports came in saying phrases like “gravely ill” and “Surrounded by family and friends,” the country awoke to news of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul’s passing. At 9:30 this morning, at her home in Detroit, a voice that spanned 6 decades gave us all a final bow. I’m not going to speak too deeply on this icons personal life as I have never even remotely crossed her path. For me, the mention of this icons name triggers memories of younger, seemingly more innocent days where I can recall her music being blasted on my parents radio during trips. Her voice always had the power to cut through any monotony of the day and uplift your spirits even if it only lasted 5 minutes or so. Born in Memphis, Tennessee to a preacher father and a mother who was an accomplished piano player and vocalist, Ms Franklin relocated to Buffalo, New York and Detroit Michigan by the age of 5. Contrary to popular belief she was not abandoned by her mother as she states she ...

Now, for Pasadenans that have been around for a few generations may already know about Loretta Thompson Glickman , Pasadena's first African American Mayor. And for those who know even more are aware that she was a traveling Jazz/Pop musician before getting involved in politics. As her music career came to a close, she wanted to start a family. Born in 1945, Loretta Thompson Glickman was a Jazz singer who toured with The New Christy Minstrels , an American large-ensemble folk music group founded by Randy Sparks in 1961. She also performed the show "London Fog" LIVE at The Gold Rush on December 8th, 1973 with Keith Thomas , Dianne Thomas, Bruce Eskovitz , Steve Rawlins, and others. Keith Thomas has made the "London Fog" cover performance songs available for free download (below). Glickman was encouraged to get into politics by her colleagues. She began campaigning in Pasadena's Northwest District 3 where she would win and eventually be reelected. D...