MS CAPITAL CITY PRIDE 2025

Rita Brent is an award-winning comedian, musician, and military veteran. She grew up in Jackson, MS where she played music in Baptist churches alongside her mother and singer-pianist, Angela. She credits her mother for single-handedly cultivating her talents and preparing her for the entertainment business.  By 18, she joined the Army National Guard where she served as a drummer in the 41st Army Band, ending her time in service as a sergeant. She began her radio broadcasting career at WJSU 88.5 FM as a student at THEE Jackson State University, and later spent six years at Mississippi Public Broadcasting as a host and producer. In 2017, she made a big leap into standup comedy full time.  She has appeared on Comedy Central, truTV, Epix TV, Circle TV, CNN, and more. She tours as an opening act with her mentors, Rickey Smiley and Cedric the Entertainer. She has written for the 73rd Primetime EMMY Awards, the People’s Choice Awards, The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Award, and more.  She is also a budding performing artist. Her most popular songs to date are "Kamala," "Can You Rock Me Like a Pothole," and "Do the Hoochie Daddy." Rita recently became a three-time Writers Guild Awards Nominee. She's a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

DJ Citizen Jane is a singer-songwriter and international superstar DJ who grew up in Miami, Florida. She now spends her time writing, recording, and producing between Miami and Los Angeles. Citizen Jane is currently working on her debut solo project with multiple renowned producers and collaborating with up-and-coming female artists. She recently released her 8th single with sultry lyrics “Ciao Good-Bye.” Her forthcoming EP featuring her first single “Campo de Guerra” which takes her back to her Latin Roots will be setting the tone of a rebirth for Citizen Jane.  She is well known across the globe for making crowds go wild by playing the exact beat needed, whether it is enormous global music festivals, clubs, parties, pride events, or gay bars. Like a musical chameleon, she can play a variety and combinations of house music, EDM, dance music, and Top 40 remixes depending on her audience and the crowd’s mood. 

The Neon Dance Party was such a hit in 2024, we brought it back in 2025!  Glow sticks were be passed around and an amazing light display provided the setting for a fun evening dancing in the street under the night sky as the sun sets!  DJ Citizen Jane brought all the favorite beats and vibes for you to celebrate Pride! 

Spikey Van Dykey is a trailblazer in the modern drag king scene, renowned for his electrifying performances that push boundaries and challenge conventions. A true pioneer of the art form, Spikey is celebrated for his spark grinder acts and fire spinning abilities, incorporating high-energy elements that captivate audiences. Known for his over-the-top costuming and theatrical style, he brings an unmatched level of creativity and flair to the stage. His groundbreaking work has been featured in multiple publications, including Elle magazine’s About Face series, The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and various web series, solidifying his status as a leading force in the world of drag performance. 

Brandon Andrews was born and raised in small-town south Mississippi. Through the years, he proudly laid his musical roots in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. From singing his first solos in elementary school, to growing up performing in church, Brandon has always had a gift to deliver a contagious joy and energy with a side dish of love and encouragement that continues to excite and inspire audiences of all backgrounds. In 2017, Brandon went public with his intense struggle with alcoholism and addiction. Brandon now claims sobriety as a lifelong journey, continued one day at time. Sharing his story, experience, strength, and hope is something Brandon finds necessary as a means to continue his path of progress rather than perfection. Brandon is a proud and unashamed member of the LGBT+ community and continues to share his story, both struggles and victories, boldly, openly, and honestly and always seasoned with love. Brandon prides himself in writing a variety of music – some songs that bring joy, some songs that gently tug at your heart strings – but always songs that echo LOVE! In December of 2020, Brandon joined forces with power-house vocalist and New Orleans fixture, Amy Trail. The two co-wrote, co-produced, and released their song “Missing You At Christmas.” The heartwarming tune made its radio debut on the famed New Orleans station, WWOZ FM, and saw great success with well over 5,000 streams within a week of its release. To kick off 2021, Brandon introduced his new sound which has been fittingly described as “New Orleans Pop.” Brandon’s reintroduction release is the uplifting and energetic bop, “Love Is Love,” which was produced by his lifelong friend and co-creator, Los Angeles based artist, LEEANNA. 

She is a vibe! N’spire Walker is a native of Meridian, Mississippi and is an embodiment of her name. She is a vibe and sets a mood through her music and enjoys teaching line dance class. She is the owner of N’spired Afrocise L.L.C., in which she is the instructor for the Vibe’N Line Dance Crew, and she is a middle school science teacher. She is married to Carvan Walker, co-parent to Carmen Carter, god-mother of Jordan Walker, and pet mom to Ima (cat), and Zuri (dog). N’spire’s mission is “To inspire others to live life in total health, while connecting it to their dreams.” In case you are intrigued and would like to check out some of her music: A few of her songs include (but not limited to) “Mississippi Lady”, “Blue White Drip”, “Ready to Ride”, & “Birthday Bounce.” Enjoy vibing with N’spire Walker! 

Myss Houdie is a Mississippi-born artist whose sound weaves blues, soul, and hip-hop into a raw, Southern-rooted narrative. Her music is shaped by the spirit of her environment — the grit of Mississippi life, the depth of Southern storytelling, and the emotional pull of live performance.  She was featured recently at The Workout Room (Jackson Indie Music Week Edition), at Late Night with Rita Brent, The Bona Fide, and Locals Only: A Mississippi Music Showcase, and Spook Fest.  Myss Houdie appeals to a wide range of music lovers. Her rap lyrics are thought provoking. Her voice is provocative and sultry.

Kicking was started by guitarist David Burns and vocalist Bobbie Flanders in the winter of 2016, with the lineup being completed by bassist Lacy Ellinwood and co-guitarist Sarah Grace Shepherd in early 2017, and finally with the addition of current drummer Austin Tingle at the start of 2023. It wouldn’t be difficult to categorize Kicking with over-used, hip but otherwise irrelevant genre buzzwords, but that would be doing a disservice to the sound. Kicking draws influence from 90’s alt rock and grunge giants to the more subdued elements of shoegaze and post punk, with traces of hardcore and riotgrrl still showing proudly through, all while trying to create music that is authentic to the individual members.  Kicking is a volume dream. Kicking is a bunch of grungy, shoegazing punx. Kicking is a band from Jackson, Mississippi.

Dollhaus is an all trans alternative rock band from the Mississippi Gulf Coast fronted by renowned musician Charlotte Palmer. Sparked by the idea of gathering some of the most talented local trans musicians into a sort of supergroup, they quickly shaped their own unique sound and built close friendships along the way.  Inspired by bands like Modern Baseball, Fall Out Boy and Mom Jeans, they bring an energetic and emotional sound to venues all across the south.

Ta’Caiya (Sadè) is a 25-year-old writer, poet, chef, and creative director and curator who resides in Ridgeland, Mississippi. She currently works for the Good Guys 601 while spreading her outspoken soul and words wherever and however she can. Writing since she was ten years old, her poetry has always been her outlet to express her feelings and complex thoughts.  She is a member of Thee Groove Collective.  She hopes to become a world-known writer and chef while still dabbling in the fashion world from time to time.  "All in all, the world will know me, for me."  

Destiny B. (bleu-jean) is a 24-year-old multidisciplinary artist bred and born in Jackson, Mississippi. Though she typically focuses on writing and performing poetry, she also has her hands in the wardrobe styling, songwriting, and event curating bowl!  Her career began a mere two years ago performing at open mics and planning events in the art community with an organization that she’s proud to be part of called Thee Groove Collective.  Through writing, she regained a sense of self, motivation, and confidence to be more than she could’ve ever dreamed. With this newfound confidence, she was reborn again as “bleu-jean,” paying homage to her late grandmother Betty “Jean” and her love for fashion, denim specifically.  Her powerful and charisma-fueled words are formed through unique experiences in her day-to-day life.  She writes and performs in a way that is relatable enough for people to understand who she is while also leaving space for people to see themselves in her work.   In her own words: “I was destined to reach people without touching them and open their eyes to what they couldn’t see before. My purpose was made apparently clear the first time I stepped on stage. Finding that purpose made life worth enjoying, not just living.”