Maiesha Rashad

Maiesha Rashad was an African American vocalist who is often referred to as the 'First Lady of Go-Go' music.

Life and career Maiesha Rashad was born Maiesha Collins in Indianapolis, Indiana. She studied classical singing in Indiana and later moved to Washington, DC in the 1970s where she studied film, television, and radio broadcast management at Howard University and American University. She graduated from Howard University in 1994.

As Maeisha and the Hiphuggers' popularity grew, they welcomed additional members of Experience Unlimited and other local Go-Go bands to the group, such as "Sweet" Cherie Mitchell. They performed seven days a week and up to ten shows per week. The band is credited with ushering in what is often called the "Grown ‘n’ Sexy" era of Go-Go due to the older age of the crowds they attracted. However, former manager of Experience Unlimited Charles Stephenson, bandmate and EU frontman Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliot, and Howard University professor Natalie Hopkinson credit Maeisha and the Hiphuggers with reviving Go-Go in the late 1990s and early 2000s and making it more acceptable to club owners.

Rashad was married to Brian Rashad. The couple had one daughter, Raina Rashad, who is also a musician.