JUST US

Kesha McKey, Artistic Director of KM Dance Project, is a choreographer, educator and performing artist from New Orleans. She is a NOCCA alum receiving her BS from Xavier University of LA and her MFA in Dance Performance from UW-Milwaukee. Her recent performance credits include Urban Bush Women’s Hair and Other Stories 2018/19 tour, Junebug Productions Gomela:to return tour and Homecoming Project. Her awards include 2021 NPN Creation Fund Award, 2020 Contemporary Arts Center N.O. SweetArts Award, 2019-20 UBW Choreographic Center Initiative Fellow, 2019 NEFA National Dance Project Grant, a 2018/19 CAC Southern Crossings Artist Residency, and a 2016 Dancing While Black Fellowship. Kesha is currently the Director of Arts at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and a UBW BOLD Facilitator.

Raj Smoove, “The Greatest DJ in the World” as claimed by Lil Wayne, is the premier DJ in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. Currently Raj Smoove holds residencies at the Foundation Room at House of Blues New Orleans and on the air every Saturday night on 98.5 WYLD’s Saturday Night Live. Raj Smoove is featured in the regular rotation of Guest DJ appearances at Masquerade at Harrah’s Casino, The New Orleans Pelican’s franchised events and other legendary New Orleans Nightlife spots such as the Metropolitan Night Club. He is also a staple at major city wide festivals such as Essence Festival and The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Raj Smoove is praised by club owners and promoters for his ability to read and engage crowds of any age or demographic and keep them on the dance floor buying drinks and elevating the energy of the club or festival to ensure epic experiences.

Spinning since the age of 13, Raj broke onto the club and production scenes during his college years at Dillard University and quickly became an icon in the Southeast region.

In 2000, Raj Smoove launched into the nation’s view when he deejayed for Cash Money Records during the 2000 Cash Money/Ruff Ryder Tour. He appeared on BET’s Rap City: Tha Bassment three times as a featured DJ and also deejayed for the airing of the 106 & Park Top 10 Count Down: Super Bowl XXXVI edition in New Orleans. In ’02, ’03, and ’06 Raj Smoove was featured as a Superlounge artist at the Essence Music Festival.

On top of rocking every venue in New Orleans, Raj also spent some time as a mixshow DJ on the now defunct Hot 104.5 KNOU. He currently has a mix show on 98.5 WYLD on Saturday nights from 10pm-12am.

From 2001 to 2004, Raj Smoove was the in-house producer/DJ for Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. He was the DJ behind the Lil’ Wayne and SQAD Up underground mixtape buzz, and as a producer, Raj crafted several tracks for Wayne’s platinum album, The Carter. Raj also released an entirely self-produced compilation album independently titled Bayou Classic featuring many New Orleans’ artists such as Mannie Fresh and Mia X. In 2006, Raj and Lil’ Wayne teamed up and released two very successful projects: Lilweezyana and The Carter Files.

Recently, Raj Smoove has had the opportunity to rock more than a few high profile events like NBA All-Star Weekend 2013, The National Black Journalists Association Convention, The Essence Music Festival’s New and Next Concert, The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, and The National Urban League Conference where he deejayed for Stevie Wonder during an impromptu performance.

As an independent record company executive, Raj has been able to find success by getting a major recording deal for his R&B artist Kourtney Heart. He has also been behind several other regional stars including Young Mugsy, Paasky, Dizzy AKA Raw D.I., and Kris Baptiste.

Stephanie McKee-Anderson is a performer, choreographer, educator, facilitator and cultural organizer born in Picayune, MS and raised in New Orleans.

She is the founder of Moving Stories Dance Project, an organization committed to dance education that provides opportunities for dancers and choreographers to showcase their talents. In 2007, she was awarded The Academy of Educational Development/New Voices Fellowship, an award for emerging leaders.

For the past 20 years, Stephanie has been involved with Junebug Productions as an artist and educator. Most recently she served as Associate Artistic Director of the first annual Homecoming Project 2011, a place-based performance project that addresses the Right of Return and what home means to communities in post-Katrina New Orleans. In 2006, Stephanie was one of ten artists who collaborated to create the original production, “UPROOTED: The Katrina Project,” co-produced by Junebug Productions.

As an artist and cultural organizer, Stephanie is deeply committed to creating work that supports social justice and aligns with the FST and Junebug legacy.