Queen Jo

Ciarra Lambert, also known by her stage name Queen Jo (QJ), is a lyrical firebrand whose artistry is amplified by her role as house emcee for many events throughout the city. Cleopatra’s Rapture marked QJ’s 2014 debut. Crowned “Philadelphia's Best New Artist of the Year,” QJ played her first major gig at the Firefly Music Festival the same year. In 2017, after the election and the defunding of Planned Parenthood, QJ collaborated with several local artists to create and perform at Pussy Claps Back, an annual fundraising benefit show that supports young girls’ health and arts initiatives. In 2018, QJ was featured on Okayplayer. After opening for Jungle Pussy, WXPN dubbed her “a little bit boom-bap, a little bit house, and a whole lot of sexual liberation.” She released Broad Street Bella in 2019. Queen Jo has performed with Ursula Rucker, Planet Booty, The Skins and Lion Babe. Queen Jo is a 2020 alum of Black Thought’s hip-hop master class, which culminated in a performance at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. In 2022, QJ released BANANAS, an album she considers her legacy project which has resulted in a series of teaching residencies across the tri-state area. Queen Jo is a fierce advocate for the fight against period poverty and hosts events that collect feminine hygiene products for schools and families in need. Queen Jo’s other achievements include a 2021 appointment to serve as co-chair of Philadelphia’s Arts & Culture Taskforce. Since her 2021 appointment, under her leadership, the Philadelphia Arts & Culture taskforce has contributed in getting over $2.5 million in grant money for artists and securing the nightlife mayor position for the city of Philadelphia. In 2023, Queen Jo was recognized as one of the Leeway Foundation's 2023 Transformation awardees.