Hey hey!!
You ever leave a show feeling like you just witnessed something bigger than music? That’s exactly how I felt after experiencing AJ McQueen—not on stage this time, but in his presence at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on 3/20/25. Now, full transparency—I didn’t get to see him perform that night, but I had just caught his set at SXSW the weekend before, and let me tell you, I was in complete awe.
Even without a performance, just being in the same room as AJ for his meet-and-greet was an experience in itself. I got to hug him, take a pic, and tell him my favorite song, 4:44 in Houston. And y’all, this man carries himself like royalty—fitting, since with a last name like McQueen, he makes a woman feel like one effortlessly. I even blurted out, “You need to be cloned!” because, let’s be real, a Black man showing up for Black women in hip-hop the way he does? That’s rare. Lyrically, he expresses himself in a way that I’ve honestly missed in the game.
What really struck me was how he made space for his fans. He didn’t just meet them—he listened. The intimate setting allowed people to share how they discovered his music, and while some stories were funny, most were deeply personal. I watched people tear up talking about how his music helped them through some of their hardest moments. It was a reminder of the kind of impact artists can have when they move with intention—something AJ himself mentioned during our conversation.
I actually got put onto AJ through a friend, and now? I’m locked in for life.
Since I didn’t catch his performance that night, I leaned into the vibe of the openers, and they did not disappoint. Jourden Cox set the tone beautifully. She started with a temperature check, but let’s be real—if she had looked a little closer, she would’ve seen the crowd was already hot and ready for her. She opened with Flow, pulling us all in with her energy. Then, Kris Cameron stepped up with Don’t Be Bitter, following it up with What Do I Mean to You—but not before giving us a heartfelt pep talk about his journey as an artist. He reminded us to get through life however we know how, which felt like a message we all needed in that moment.
But back to AJ—because this won’t be the last time I write about him. One thing he said that stuck with me was that his performances aren’t just about performing—they’re about moving with intention. And from what I saw at SXSW, I felt that to my core. Mark my words, I will be interviewing him one day. There are so many questions in my mind about his artistry, his mission, and how he keeps his energy so pure in an industry that can be anything but.
Until then, I want to pass the blessing forward. Just like someone put me on to AJ, I want to do the same for y’all. So here’s a playlist to get hip to—enjoy the ride.
Stay tuned, stay inspired, and as always, stay lyrical.
—Bebe Flight