BIOGRAPHY
“You are one of the most talented writers in our entire genre.” -Michael Harriot 2x NY Times Best Selling Author of Black AF History: The Un-whitewashed Story of America
Queen Sheba is a
2025 Grammy® Nominated Artist
in the Spoken Word-Poetry category
for her 10th album
“CIVIL WRITES: The South got something to say”
Queen Sheba, is also a 2024 Grammy® Nominated Artist in the Spoken Word-Poetry category her 9th album
“A-You’re Not Wrong B-They’re Not Either” and has appeared as a featured poet on Robert Glasper’s Grammy Nominated album “F-Your Feelings” (track #11).
She was recognized by the city of Atlanta, in October 2024, and previously -PATREON & Furious Flower- with grants to continue her [poetic] works. In 2020 during the global pandemic, Sheba was selected to participate in a collection of poetry, short stories & visual art by the city of Atlanta. A two-time NAACP Image Award Nominee*, Atlanta's “Creative Loafing’s People’s Choice Spoken Word Artist of the Year”, a previous candidate for the Atlanta Public School Board, Adjunct Professor of English & Creative Writing at Clark Atlanta University and adjunct English Professor at Southern New Hampshire University. Sheba has been an Artist in Residence at the University of Chicago Champagne Urbana and has performed at over 300 colleges & universities. Proving her worthy of the ‘ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES - Spoken Word Performer of the Year Nomination’
"Sheba's stories are honest, funny, poignant and necessary" -jessica Care more
Publisher, Author, Moore Black Press
Bethsheba A. Rem, affectionately known as Queen Sheba, is the author of her first poetry collection and short stories, From Foster Care to Fame. A bi-racial child, adopted by a German & Polish family, April 1977, in Jackson, MI, succeeding three foster homes. One (foster home) was said to have been sexually abusive but no one knows because … no one told. After the adoption was finalized, the family moved to Detroit (proper). Following a dynamic, traumatic and debilitating 13 years with her adopted family, Sheba was sent to Wedgewood Acres a closed & strict youth home, at age 15, for the last two years of her high school career. Running away and insubordination only added to the list of her predicaments. Finally, at the age of 17, her adoptive parents gave up their rights and Sheba was made a ward of the court - left to create her own path; out of the rubble.
In the Spring of 1993, Sheba left Michigan. She took a Greyhound Bus (cliche but true) to Norfolk, VA, where after a few summers of endless running the streets, she enrolled in Old Dominion University where she was the NEWS Editor for the MONARCH Press and worked as a credit card debt collector for Bank of America. Let’s add a child in the mix, born in 1994, who later became estranged after his father’s side - of intense Christian faith - turns the son against Sheba by enforcing their beliefs against homosexuality (but then, of course, in the later years, ask for tithes for their store-front church of 17 members, from her tour and merch earnings [“You weren’t shooting with me in the gym!”-Allen Iverson early 2000s famous basketball player]. 1998 Sheba entered her first serious same-sex relationship and, simultaneously, stumbled upon Urban S.A.F.A.R.I., an open mic in the tiniest of Art Galleries, downtown Norfolk, VA run by the founders Anitra and Dj Midday. This became home. The proving grounds.
"Bethsheba has used her pen, her voice, and her words to usher us towards a glimpse of her soul. If only we could all be so brave - no matter what our own truths." - Caroline Rothstein M.S. Graduate
of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
A couple of years later, Anitra and Midday graduated from Norfolk State University, Anitra moved back home to DC, and Midday, (with the boom of Poetry Slam and a few movies to note about poetry open mics) continued the then-growing, open mic; and asked Queen Sheba and God Child (he/him) to be the new hosts.
June 2001 - Lamar Hill visits Norfolk and finds the ‘gem in the rough’ open mic, climbs the stairs to the new art gallery, into Urban S.A.F.A.R.I., forever changing Queen Sheba’s life. Lamar introduced Sheba (and other budding poets including but not limited to the incredible talent of the poet - Thirteen of Nazareth, who later moved to Northern VA and appeared on Queen Sheba’s albums: The Truth, SHEBATAR and CIVIL WRITES) to the world of Poetry Slam®, Inc. and life on the road as a touring poet.
July 10, 2001 30 days later, Queen Sheba gets fired from Bank of America. For “misuse of a corporate credit card”. AKA for wearing silver rings, revolutionary graphic Ts on Casual Friday and her afro out, in full bloom, at work, as a supervisor. In the same month, Lamar Hill introduced Queen Sheba to her soon-to-be mentor and music producer, Taalam Acey. Life was soon about to be off the rails.
September 11th 2001 - 90 days later, on September 11, 2001, as the world stood still and hearts were heavy with grief, Queen Sheba’s poem NORMAL captured the depth of sorrow and resilience through her poetry. Her words transcended the tragedy, embodying the collective mourning, confusion, and hope of a nation in shock. The poem is widely recognized as one of the most profound tributes to that fateful day, encapsulating, not only the heartbreak but, the spirit of unity that emerged from the ashes. Her verses became a balm for those seeking solace and a poignant reminder of the strength in shared humanity, reflecting the empathy and understanding that Queen Sheba brought to a moment of immense pain.
“If you ever decide to leave Spoken Word, there will be a huge hole in our genre” -Taalam Acey MBA Rutgers University Internationally Acclaimed Poet & Political Activist
The ‘poetry fever’ hit hard; Sheba & friends piled into her little 2-door Acura CL and went to everything they could drive to and get her back to work, on time, the next day: Jimmy’s Uptown, VH-1, DC Slam, The World Cafe in Philly, Wednesday Night Open Mic with River & The Roots in Philly, Warm Wednesdays in Baltimore, the NJ PAC host of Kings of Poetry curated by Taalam Acey, ESSENCE Festival, Love Jones - Miami, Funk Jazz Miami (where, in 2003 Kanye now known as Ye, opened for Queen Sheba … as a poet. Kanye was humble and loved Spoken Word and networking!) Youth Speaks, The Greenmill, The Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe, The Million Women March, The Ethiopian Embassy, in DC, Denver Poetry Slam, Slam Nuba, just to name (quite) a few, in the early days.
Acey, showed Sheba how to budget living on the road, negotiate feature stipends and (poetry) slam strategy. Acey produced albums 2, 3 and half of 4 for Queen Sheba - when selling CDs was the lifeblood of poetry travel, let alone survival. Lamar Hill stayed on the East Coast to develop his love for producing plays while Taalam mentored Sheba on how to travel the country, create tours and ultimately shared connections that would get her, her first overseas tour.
Sheba eventually grew out of the two* open mic town of Norfolk, VA. The city was her springboard into what is now a 23+ year, highly decorated, career. Before leaving VA, Sheba was chosen to perform at Amature Night at the Apollo and the legendary 106 & Park with the original hosts AJ & Free. Fueled with her second major heartbreak and $2000 cash, Sheba packed a PENSKE and headed, South, down 85.
"Queen Sheba is a dynamic performer...."- Nikki Giovanni
Atlanta, unbeknownst to Sheba, would become her home and level up her career for the next 20 years… and counting. In addition to co-hosting Poetic Moments on V-103 with Joyce Littel, co-Hosting Passion & Poetry for Joyce Littel with Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Sheba has been a featured performer on the hit reality TV show Married to Medicine, season two of Verses and Flow brought to you by Lexus on TV One, and performed on the TV show Spoken, a featured poet on Lyric Café on BET, and the feature-length film ‘Spit’.
Friends: Dasha Kelley- Poet Laurette of Milwaukee and International Singer & Poet Gina Loring encouraged Sheba to join them at Antioch University in, LA to earn their MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) in Poetry. Time flies when you are procrastinating. A year later, Sheba took her friends’ advice and joined the program in LA at the time they were graduating. Her professors and lectures included but were not limited to Richard Garcia and 19th Poet Laureate of the United States (2012-2014) Natasha Trethewey. With Sheba’s friends having graduated and in a final effort to make amends with her son, Sheba returned to the East Coast, where she went on to earn her MFA from Queens University, in Charlotte.
Queen Sheba's graduating thesis project, which also serves as her second poetry collection, titled "Clemency: Poems to Help You Accept the Apologies You Will Never Receive," was edited by her professors at Queens University, including notable figures such as National Book Award Nominee Claudia Rankine and National Book Award Winner Ada Limón. The collection is set to be released in Spring 2025.
After earning her MFA from Queens University of Charlotte in 2015, Queen Sheba continued to leave an indelible mark on the spoken word scene and beyond. Sheba's ability to fuse artistry with advocacy was recognized when she received the Gentlemen’s Foundation’s 'Gentle Woman of Artistry' award, honoring her impactful work in HIV prevention within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021, her leadership and creative vision earned her the Visionary Award from Sisters in Atlanta, solidifying her as a vital voice in the local and national art scenes.
"Bethsheba vacillates between glee and pain--love and anger-her contradiction is her strength.” -Khalilah Ali Ph.D author "The Dao of Womanist Hip-Hop"
The Queen of reinventing herself and the master of turning an idea into an LLC - Poetry vs. Hip-Hop was born from a "mistake gone right". A constant discovery that challenges the divide between literary tradition and Hip-Hop, uniting audiences from all walks of life.
Poetry vs. Hip-Hop began as a whimsical experiment and quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon… much like Queen Sheba.
THE BEGINNING
Artist: Norton Wisdom Fly Poet Showcase, The Congo Room - LA
THE WORK
“Bethsheba A. Rem’s life is a wonderful example of how extreme adversity can create compelling art. Her story reads like a gripping novel, complete with abandonment, betrayal and ultimately, triumph.”
- Rolling Out Magazine
Awards & Honors
*Extreme partial listing
• 2024 – GRAMMY® Nominated Poet: Spoken Word Category for the 9th album: “A-You’re Not Wrong B-They’re Not Either”
• 2024 - Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Individual Artist Grant
• 2021 – Guest Poet on Robert Glasper’s Grammy Nominated album “F-Your Feelings” track #11
• 2024 – Community Honor by Rose Garden Events – LEGENDS II – Jasmine Rosario
• League of Girlfriend’s Visionary Award
• Creative Loafing’s People’s Choice Spoken Word Artist of the Year
• Gentlemen’s Foundation Artistry of the Year
• Women of the World Poetry Slam Finalist – Detroit, MI
• Individual World Poetry Slam Finalist – Charlotte, NC
• Awarded Book Serge book deal
• Virginia Fellowship Winner for an Individual Artist
• Poets & Writers Artist Grants*
• Homegirls Make Some Noise Nominated for NAACP Image Award for participation in the Anthology
• TV Show: Verses & Flow Nominated for NAACP Image Award
• Check the Rhyme from Lit Noire Publishing, NYC
• Nominated: APCA Poetry Performer of the Year
Discography
• 2024 – CIVIL WRITES: The South Got Something to Say vol.10
• A-You’re Not Wrong B-You’re Not Either -Aug 2023
• The F-It Pill – Aug 2022
• F Yo’ Feelings – Robert Glasper, featured on track 11, -Oct 2019
• SHEBATAR: Inside the World of Queen Sheba 2001-Future -Sept 2010
• Domino Affect Vol.2: Follow the movement – August 2009
• Domino Affect -Sept 2007
• Get Familiar (double album) July 2005
• Los Angeles, CA Just Plain Folks Album of Year for Spoken Word for disc 2
• The Truth – June 2003
• The Message – June 2002
• I confess... - October 2001
College & Universities
*Extreme partial listing
U of Akron, Ohio
Amherst 3xs for Voices for the Voiceless Poetry Concert Birmingham Community College
Bloomington Ill, Regional College Bowie State –Opened for Floetry
Chicago State Frome England
Hampton U– multiple appearances Howard U
Indiana South Bend GA State, 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop
James Madison University Johnson and Wales – Miami
Clark Atlanta*, Writer’s Workshop Davidson College – Charlotte, NC
Duke University 2xs East Tennessee State
Elizabethtown College Longwood College 4xs
Mary Grove College – Detroit, MI More House – multiple appearances
Morgan State Norfolk State - multiple appearances
Old Dominion University – multiple appearances AKRON OHIO
SUNY CANTON VSU-CASTLETON VT
UVA at Wise Mount Wachusett Community College
University of Pikeville Oneonta College
Bethany College Rhodes College
Susquhanna
Carlow
Colby-Sawyer
MassBay
Savannah, State
Spelman College, Homecoming 2007 w/Janelle Monet
SW Community Center for Children
Sweet Briar College
Temple University
Thomas Nelson Community College
Tidewater Community Colleges:
Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach
U of DC
University of Ill, Champaign Urbana-Poet in Residence
University of Kentucky –The K Women’s Writers Conference ‘05
University of Mass
University of Memphis
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Ohio
University of Rochester
University of VA
VA State
VA Wesleyan
Western Carolina University
William and Mary
Yale
International Performances
Toronto, Canada
Vancouver, CA
Winnipeg, CA
Antigua, West Indies
Accra, Ghana – West Africa Panafest International Music Festival*
Cuba – Study
Holland-Amsterdam & Rotterdam
Cannes, France
Paris, France
Edinburgh, Scotland
Frome, England
London, England
Munich, Germany
Kysaslouter, Germany
Oxford, England
Tel Aviv, Israel
Conferences and Seminars
Georgia State University Hip-Hop’s Golden 50 Anniversary Panel w/Big Rube of the Dungeon Family
Women Living with HIV Conference DC – Oct 23
Black History Month: I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams Expo - Minneapolis, MN
Juneteenth - Burlington, VT
Juneteenth - South Fulton, GA
Fathers and Families x2
Take Back the Night – two-time Keynote Speaker
Furious Flower – James Madison University
Gwendolyn Brooks Writers Conference
National Poetry Slam: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Austin TX, Albuquerque NM
Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam: Miami, Greensboro NC, Columbia SC
Women of the World Poetry Slam: 6th Place Detroit, MI
Individual World Poetry Slam: 8th Place Charlotte, NC
Four Countries Poetry Slam: 1st Place Team Edinborough
NICOSTY Conference for Teachers and Social Workers 2-time speaker
Mothers Against the War march
Caucus for Negro Women DC
Ethiopian Embassy AIDS –lecture/performance
Shades Retreat – LGBT Women of Color
Alternate Roots 2009 & 10
TV•Radio•Podcasts
*extreme partial listing
NBC - ATL & Co. - 2024
RadioOne | TVOne | I ♥️ Radio - 2024
V103 Atlanta – previous co-host of Poetic Moments w/Joyce Little
NPR WABE City Lights
HBCU Network
Season 2 – Verses & Flow
106 & Park BET
BET’s Lyric Café - Featured Poet
Amateur Night at the Apollo
Good Morning Antigua – Antigua, West Indies
Turner South-My South Speaks
BBC –England
YouTube: multiple Podcast appearances and music videos
Publications
*extreme partial listing
Voyage ATL
The Poet’s List Magazine
Check the Rhyme Nominated for NAACP Image Award for participation in the Anthology from Lit Noire Publishing, Nyc
Creative Loafing Cover Story*
Creative Loafing - contributing writer
National Poetry Feature for Rolling Out Magazine
Essence Magazine
Vibe Magazine [Online]
Portfolio Weekly Magazine Cover Story
Spoken Vizions Magazine Cover Story
The Virginian-Pilot multiple appearances
Published Books
Spring 2025 Clemency: poems to accept the apologies you will never receive
Nov 2022 Co-wrote and published “Bonafide: the ride of your life”
Spring 2021 Self-published over 20 Clark Atlanta Students on Amazon
Aug 2012 Long Story Short: From Foster Care to Fame Long-er Poems & Short Two Fingers Press – Chicago, IL
Aug 2012 Run Ugly! A motivational book for runners – or people thinking about running
Comedy
Host of Poetry vs. Hip-Hop pop-up showcase | Home venue City Winery ATL
Curator of Jokes & Notes comedy and live music showcase - ATL
16 Year – longest-running host at Atlanta’s Apache Café
Don’t Be Stupid Web-a-sode Host for Tommy Ford (Martin/Harlem Nights)
Guest Host a week at the Funny Bone Richmond, VA for Rodney Perry (co-host of the Monique Show)
Comedy Zone: Charlotte, Johnson City, TN, Ft. Mill celebrities include: Jimmy JJ Walker, Dave Martin and many more
DJ Queen Sheba X
corporate partnerships:
• Live Nation Buckhead Theatre
• Burlington, VT Juneteenth/Angela Davis
• The Georgia Department of Health – official celebrity tour Dj
• lululemon
• Bravo television series release party
• Les Brown conference
athletic events & music festivals:
• VOTE ATL!
• The Race – 5k & Half Marathon
• The Race for Rest 5K
• Yellow Mat Yoga Studios
• Jai’s Box Fit Grand Opening
• Atlanta Juneteenth Red Bike & Green Festival
• Rosemary’s Pop-Up Marketplace
• Southern Tea Poetry Tour – official celebrity tour Dj
• Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam - Knoxville, TN
clubs & venues:
… too many to count but a few notable ones include but are not limited to –
• City Winery Atlanta
• Apache Café – the original and 2.0
• Birmingham Black Pride Weekend 2022
• Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen
• Sneakers & Barz Sneaker Ball
• Cyn Sum Luv Radio
• Come Get Some Events
