“Ladies. Gentlemen. Boys. Girls. Non-Binary Individuals. Undecided, Unfettered, and Unbothered. This... is the “The Doyénne”.”
Syeed DiJon Poole, known professionally as “The Doyénne”, is an Black American and openly gay singer, lyricist, songwriter, performance artist, master of ceremony, (butch) drag queen and record producer based in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally from Flint, Michigan, his musical training began in the Southern Baptist church as a member of the choir before he began writing and producing his own music using the Fruity Loops digital audio workstation software suite in 2006. While the sonic contributions from the likes of Prince, Janet Jackson, and Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott would serve as a huge influence to Poole’s sound, it would be his discovery of chiptune and software plugins that were capable of emulating lo-fi video game sounds that would become his production trademark as seen in signature tracks such as “Party Girl” and “Ass Like Beyoncé”.
His 2011 debut long-play project, "Body of Work" and the sophomore effort "QUEEN" were met with positive critical reception. In 2016, Poole took time away from performing live and focused on recording music as well as completing studies towards the pursuit of an associate's degree in music business, a shift that led to six consecutive releases of music throughout that same year. Poole now looks to continue making appearances through the foreseeable future in support of future recordings and to support the re-release of his material on major streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify, Google Play Music and Deezer, the debut music video for the song "Strange Kind of Love", and his next full length release "Body of Work II".
"The Doyénne are a queer electro-rap artist whose confident, warped songs would be club anthems if we lived in a universe that wasn’t so relentlessly basic. They perform with an intensity that puts many of the punk and noise bands he shares bills with to shame — like a hybrid of Little Richard and Iggy Pop that has an encyclopedic knowledge of house music."
"And that’s one of the things I’ve always admired about The Doyénne. He doesn’t let others set the parameters when it comes to gender or sexuality or the self-expression of those aspects, in music or life. As Syeed pursues new creative modes in music and art, and chases that “It” factor every artists seeks, he does so in a very personal way. His “It” is individualized and authentic so, like the emotional landscape of people, this “It” is subject to change."
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2019/07/insiders-introduction-doyenne.html
The Doyenne is a certifiable legend. A songwriter, producer, electronic musician, rapper, alt-R&B sensation, and dance-music machine, Syeed DiJon Poole has been freaking out the squares and wrecking house shows for years as The Doyenne. The Doyenne had been a fixture at shows at the old Trunk Space and Funny World, often playing alongside musical polar opposites like Dinosaur Love, Space Alien Donald, and Sugar Skull Explosion. What The Doyenne shares with those bands is a love for dressing up, a willingness to be abrasive and confrontational with the audience, and a contempt for milquetoast indie-rock culture. Shows should be parties, and few people know how to start one better than he does. What also made The Doyenne stand out when he got started (and what continues to make him a relevant and exciting presence in the Valley) is his openness about his sexuality and identity. The Doyenne doesn't give a fuck if he makes you uncomfortable, and his frankness onstage and off served as an inspiration for people to let their guards down and not be afraid to express their own sexualities."
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/best-of/2018/nightlife/best-queer-musical-icon-10865619
http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/art-life-syeed-poole/
"The Phoenix songwriter and performer known as The Doyénne proves once and for all that you don’t need some big dollar backing to make some compelling pop hits. “Strange Kind of Love” takes DIT to a whole new place, aurally and visually, while reminding us that love is an unconfined concept. Oh, and Travis James from Travis James and the Acrimonious Assembly of Arsonists makes a special cameo appearance in the music video."
https://www.yabyumwest.com/2018/06/5-stellar-new-singles-update-with-link.html
Complete Article: https://www.yabyumwest.com/2016/11/for-the-record-doyenne.html
"Artists have long been the harbingers of shifts in human consciousness. They break down the illusory bonds of convention simply by being true to their own nature. The Doyenne is going to keep shimmying over those unneeded divisions in the sands of society until they are forever obscured and he’ll do it to a dance beat. Fuck yeah. So, if you’re harboring outdated modes of thinking, then it’s time to “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” (to quote Jillian Michaels with only a moderate amount of shame). The world is changing and it’s not going to wait for you to adapt. If you listen closely to W H I T E – L A B E L, you can hear the future of music plotting its path into the world."
-Carly Shorman, YabYum Music and Arts, November 3rd, 2016
"Moving forward, The Doyenne expects social issues to be a major influence on his music. “I’ve been slowly, but surely, putting together a debut album with the intent to get it out there and try and say some of the things that I’ve been wanting to say,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be exactly saying this is what’s going on now, but there’s definitely going to be an energy about it. There’s a defiance now. I’m not angry, but I have to say something.” A driving force behind his music, he said, is the hope that he is giving a voice to those who, in many cases, don’t have one. And sharing glimpses of his personal story has allowed him to connected with audiences on a deeper level."
Complete Article: https://www.yabyumwest.com/2014/08/5-hiphop-singles.html
"The Doyenne fashions his personal brand of “Electroclash Hip Hop” with an extra layer of sass for everyone who likes a little swish with their swagger. “Pirate City” is a tune for all you Glamazons out there who like to start (or end) the day with a smooth flow. If you dig Phoenix’s own Doyenne, don’t hesitate to delve into the further reaches of his repertoire on Bandcamp here. The Queen I & II and Body of Work, two earlier full-lengths from the artist, are available for streaming and purchase."
-Lenore Lanova, YabYum Music & Arts, August 20th, 2014
Complete Article: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/9-oddest-bands-in-phoenix-6625452/2
"The proper name is Doyenne Eleganza Saint Goddess, but that is the only thing that is proper about the electroclash hip-hop artist. A self-described transvestite, Doyenne often performs wearing a mix of men's and women's clothing and sings many of his profane, sexual songs from the perspective of a woman. Doyenne does not yet have the full stage performance he wants with full lights and dancers. But the performer himself commands the attention of the audience with sexually charged lyrics, outlandish hairstyles and costumes, and an unabashed dance style. Doyenne is different and doesn't mind showing that to his audiences."
-Jeff Moses, Phoenix New Times, May 13th, 2014