Boyfriend

Born Suzannah Elizabeth Powell in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1988, Boyfriend was raised in a conservative, Christian environment. This upbringing shaped her perspective, leading her to develop a strong sense of self and an independent viewpoint. She attended parochial school before Hume-Fogg High School and later pursued creative writing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After graduating, she worked in television production on shows such as ‘Gossip Girl’ before relocating to New Orleans. In New Orleans, she developed her distinct stage persona, Boyfriend, inspired by freestyling with friends, and coined the term ‘rap-cabaret’ to describe her theatrical style of live performance.

Boyfriend’s career officially began in 2012 with her debut single, “Hunch and Munch,” followed by the ‘Love Your Boyfriend’ EP trilogy between 2014 and 2016. Her provocative performances and lyrics quickly garnered attention. A significant turning point in her early career was touring with Big Freedia in 2015, which led to collaborations like “Marie Antoinette” (2016) and her contribution to Big Freedia’s 2016 ‘A Very Big Freedia Christmazz’ EP. In 2017, she released the ‘Next’ EP, produced with Pablo Dylan, and notably featured Cindy Wilson of The B-52’s. That same year, she performed at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, where her SuperJam performance with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Chance the Rapper was recognized as a top set by Consequence of Sound. She also headlined a party in Tokyo for Marc Jacobs, celebrating his Spring/Summer 2018 Collection.

Her debut album, ‘Sugar & Spice’ (2022), charted on college and non-commercial radio, featuring collaborations with artists such as Pussy Riot, Death Valley Girls, and Amanda Lepore. Her ongoing creative partnership with Big Freedia has continued, including a feature on “El Niño” (2023) alongside Lil Wayne. Boyfriend has made numerous festival appearances, including SXSW, Fun Fun Fun Fest, San Francisco Pride, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where she is a staple. Her work extends to songwriting for major artists like Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Kesha, and Rebecca Black. She has also secured music placements in films such as ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and ‘Office Christmas Party,’ and in commercials for Amazon, Apple, and Walmart. Boyfriend is also the creator of the musical ‘Hag’ and announced her concept concert album ‘In the Garden’ for 2025, which features Billy Porter and Jake Shears, reimagining the story of Adam and Eve from Eve’s perspective. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Boyfriend serves as a Governor of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy and is an advocate for sustainability, holding positions with the Plastic Pollution Coalition and Grounds Krewe.