The Black Madonna may be a new name for some of us, but she is actually one of the pioneering female DJs in the USA and most importantly – one of the oldest house music enthusiasts.
She worked in every aspect of electronic music industry – distribution, booking, event promotion. While working at Smart Bar as a resident along with Franky Knuckles and Derrick Carter, she started getting bookings from all over US, being especially popular among the gay community for her positive vibe. Her first releases at Hometaping Is Killing Music, Stripped ‘n’ Chewed and Argot led her to a breakthrough with the “A Jealous Heart Never Rests” track, which became an anthem of summer 2013. In autumn 2013 she debuted at Berghain’s Panorama Bar.
Instead of using her popularity to be simply happy and earning money, The Black Madonna, who’s real name is Marea Stamper took her new position as a chance to attract attention to the matters of concern; such as transgender, gay and black people’s discrimination in the industry.
Stamper openly speaks about discrimination and violence in club culture and calls to be more welcoming and respect the roots of the industry.
On one hand, I think that if you are a woman—or one of many different groups of people who are not white straight guys—you are a political person whether you intend to be or not, regardless of whether it is something you intentionally seek out and think about.
She’s been in the industry for 25 years and learned about Underground Resistance from the man who first hit her. That’s one of the things that she had to go through as a woman. And that is one of the things she tries to bring attention to. Her moniker comes from her religion and dedication to her mother.
Black Madonnas are a very particular and unique phenomenon inside the church, in that they’re closely related with fertility and and they’re the subject of deep, deep devotion—more so than a lot of other saints
As a DJ, The Black Madonna is known for her fluid and energetic sets, where tracks vary from disco to techno. She is an accomplished producer. And she is the woman, who has probably started a women’s movement in electronic music. You can read her full interview here.
