“On her debut, The Kommencement, Bay Area-bred/New Orleans resident, TheSeKondElement serves up a lesson in lyricism—an intelligent, introspective collection of message tracks and spoken-word pieces that at its best calls to mind the eclectic acrobatics of Q-Tip and cocksure charisma of MC Lyte.” -Aaron LaFont, OffBeat Magazine

artist. advocate. abolitionist.

An artist, advocate, and abolitionist, Smalls, known by her former stage name, TheSeKondElement, uses her non-fiction writing and music talents to discuss social and other matters important to her.

A graduate of Xavier University’s Mass Communications department where she studied visual media, public relations, and journalism, Smalls spent her post-graduate years in New Orleans growing, producing events, and touring the south and east coasts as a solo artist (often with a drummer/live band), after releasing her award-winning debut album, The Kommencement.

Under the moniker, TheSeKondElement, Swankk e. Smalls has played to audiences big and small in dozens of cities, at festivals, and events around the country, from city-wide church rallies to the House of Blues, SXSW and more.

Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease at just two days old, Smalls has been an advocate for those affected by this disease for as long as she can remember. In 2007 she began producing benefit concerts to raise money and awareness for various Sickle Cell causes.

In 2012 she was invited to perform on San Francisco Pride’s main stage, where she featured drummer/MD, Bettis and best friend and bassist, BassMonsterTiff. The trio began receiving performance requests and days later decided to make The H.U.B.R.I.S. Tour official and continue as a threesome.

Two years later, armed with an idea to create an online platform that would focus on increasing the visibility of marginalized persons in media and entertainment, Smalls assembled a team of writers, editors, and visual artists, who, together, founded TheVisibilityProject.com

Recording at 15 and first published at 17, this creative veteran has worked with music, TV and film creatives such as Africaa Bambaataa, Mia X, Skipp Coon, Lena Waithe and produced content for Issa Rae, Honey Cocaine, Red Bull, MC Lyte and more.

Her current stop is Los Angeles, where Smalls is the Director of Operations for TheVisibilityProject.com and working on her next project.

Dedicated to the perpetuation of Blues, Jazz, & Gospel as an art form indigenous to Black america.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter. I'm a sucker for a great melody.

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