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Creator of the Month: Princesses of the Borough
- Sunjori Michaela
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Our last story of 2025 features two musical artists and creatives from the Big Apple: Khmeii from Brooklyn and Siobhan from Queens. They welcomed me into their artsy world with open arms, giving me front-row seats to their musical talents. With Khmeii discovering her love for songwriting in second grade and Siobhan studying at LaGuardia High School, music has always been in their veins.
I met them in May, and they showed me some of their favorite parts of NYC. Their energy, talent, and genuine love for their craft made the experience unforgettable. Naturally, our conversation flowed into a deeper dialogue about who they are and what drives their sound.
Thank you both for finishing off the year as our Creators of the Month. Sunni Society is grateful to share both of your artistic journeys. Let's start with the latest, "Breathe Me." How did the two of you join forces to create such a hit?
Khmeii: “I started writing Breathe Me back in 2021 and completely forgot about it until two years later, when my DJ and great friend @Adrianisntadub shared this sexy, dreamy, island-y dance track with me. I immediately started scrambling for ideas to lay down. I went back into my vault, found the song, and paired my lyrics with Adrian’s beat, and it was magic. All I needed was a bomb feature—which I never really do.
Siobhan has been one of my good friends since high school, and I have always admired her talent. I asked her to join me on the track in March of 2024, and the rest was history! I couldn’t have asked for a better person to share the record with.”
Siobhan: “It was quite simple, honestly. Khmeii and I have been friends since sophomore year of high school. When she reached out with the proposal of collaborating on Breathe Me, it was a no-brainer for me. I was actually so honored she would think of me, considering that I had yet to make my debut as an artist. Nonetheless, she believed in me and my ability, and from there it’s history, really. I wrote my verse and sent it to her, and from there we started planning and taking the steps to make Breathe Me what you have today.”
Earlier this year, I sat in on one of your studio sessions, which I appreciated. As artists, how important is it for you both to keep that process sacred?
Khmeii: “I am very private and particular when it comes to my craft. I think every artist has their own method of operation. For me, I prefer keeping the number of people in my creative bubble to a minimum. Too many energies in the room may throw me off—I also get very shy. Art is vulnerable, especially when you are passionate about it. My creation involves a lot of safe and familiar thinking space. I don’t let just anybody in the room. Keeping my process to myself is very important.”
Siobhan: “For me personally, I think it’s quite important to keep things sacred, especially in the beginning stages of creating. Of course, I love to involve those that I’m close to throughout the process, but for the most part, I want to save it for myself and whoever is actively involved in the creation of the song until it’s ready to be shared. Making art is oftentimes intimate and vulnerable, so I like to keep it close until it’s ready to be shared with the world.”
Now Mei, I'm not too unfamiliar with your journey as an artist. I've seen some of your story through the lens of bkshotyou, but I will say your single "Ooooo!" really drew me in! It was fun, flirty, and fierce. My little cousins thoroughly enjoyed it as well. When did your musical career start, and how did you bring Siobhan along for the ride?
Khmeii: “My career started in 2020 during the COVID quarantine! I discovered that I could record and release my own music from my phone. From there, I began to evolve. Siobhan and I met at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in NYC as vocal majors in 2016/2017. We have sung in a few choirs and ensembles together. Aside from being peers, she is also my really good friend. We would always talk about her songwriting and wanting to put music out. When I finally got the lightbulb to ask her to feature on the record, it felt like destiny.”
Siobhan, you reintroduced yourself as a triple threat—singer, songwriter, and creative. How does it feel to step into the power that your spirit has been longing for? What did this collab with Khmeii awaken in you?
Siobhan: “To be honest, it feels amazing! This has quite literally been years in the making. I’ve been wanting to take this step for so long, but it never felt like the right time. There was always some aspect of life getting in the way that prevented me from fully committing. But you come to realize that there never is a ‘right time.’ The right time is right now, and that’s what I think this collaboration taught me.
There were times I was overwhelmed or questioned my capability to be a part of this. There were several moments I felt unsure of myself, and that’s okay! Feelings aren’t facts, even when it feels like they are. It was seeing this project through despite these feelings of doubt that truly allowed me to step into my power as an artist. I really can’t thank Khemii enough for this opportunity. She has been such a guiding presence throughout this entire process.
When you choose to pursue this career, you’re expected to figure things out on your own. I was lucky enough to have someone who has been doing this for some years to turn to while navigating the process. Releasing Breathe Me has really awakened a confidence in me and lit a fire under my ass. I’m eager to see what’s next!”
As you step into this new chapter as a triple threat, what’s the next goal you want to accomplish, and what do you hope to explore musically?
Siobhan: “I definitely want to release my debut solo single. I think that will really put a stamp on my official debut as an artist. People know me as a feature on Breathe Me, but they have yet to know me as a solo artist. I’ll be the first to say that Breathe Me was out of my comfort zone as an artist. It was a welcome challenge and one that I had so much fun taking on, but it was very different from the type of music I naturally gravitate towards making. And who else would know that besides me?
Releasing my first solo song will allow me to introduce myself as a stand-alone artist and familiarize people with my sound. In terms of what I want to explore musically, the sky is the limit for me. I think the beautiful part of starting a journey like this is that, to some extent, you’re really figuring things out as you go. I don’t have everything planned out, and my artistic vision/direction isn’t a solidified thing—but I can figure that out along the way.
As I continue to release, I’ll learn more about myself as an artist, and it will shape how I continue to approach creating. What I do know is that I want to try as much as I can. I have genres that I feel at home in, like alternative R&B, for example, but I also want to try genres like house, alternative jazz, or bossa nova. I don’t want to limit myself; I want to explore my creativity to the fullest extent.”
You’re both making your mark in New York and recently hosted “Had 2 B There.” How was the turnout, and how important is it to create third spaces as they continue to decline?
Khmeii: “Had 2 B There has been super success! I started the series out of FOMO last summer, and now I think it’s safe to say that it’s stamped. The turnouts have been great and will only continue to pack out, but what I enjoy most is the vibe that has been curated for these events. It’s super important to create spaces that encourage fun and community.
I throw parties and host with the intention of everyone having a great time. I don’t think enough people put effort into their events to assure guest satisfaction. There is a lot going on in the world, and people need genuine human connection. I do my best to show my guests that their host is a real person with real feelings and is grateful for everyone who pops out and shows love.”
Siobhan: “Had 2 B There was so much fun as always, and it was so exciting to be there as a performer and not just a guest. The turnout was amazing. I think the people that gravitate towards you as an artist are very telling, and the energy and audience that Khmeii fosters are truly immaculate. It’s always great vibes and a safe space, which I think is important to emphasize.
It’s so important to have safe spaces to exist in, especially for marginalized communities, because it is so often not accessible for us. People deserve to go out, dance, and have fun without being made to feel uncomfortable or worse! It really isn’t a big ask, and yet it’s not a priority for those profiting from nightlife. Khmeii, Dubclub, and the Had 2 B Their events have always made it a point to make sure that people can have fun at their events and feel safe doing so. No weird behavior tolerated on this side! I’m really happy to have been a part of it and hope to continue creating those types of spaces as I continue on my artistic journey.”
As the year comes to a close, what are some career goals you’re hoping to accomplish?
Khmeii: “In the near future, I would like to put on my own full-length show! I can’t wait to put a bill together. I’d also love to write for other artists. I have sooo many songs that could use a new home.”
Siobhan: “I wanna get in that studio, girl!! Of course, I talked about releasing my first solo single earlier, but I want to plan more releases as we enter the new year. That might include a project as well. I also want to build more of an online presence as we enter the new year. Being a college student, it’s very easy for me to go MIA on social media, but this is a primary way for me to connect with my audience.
So, I want to engage more and find ways to interact and incorporate my everyday life in my content and online interactions, even while maintaining my other life responsibilities. Overall, I want to build off the momentum that this release has provided me and continue to shape my image, sound, and presence in the industry.”
What can we expect from the two of you in 2026? More collaborations, big events, and new projects—what’s on the horizon?
Khmeii: “I’m working on my mixtape to release early next year! Hopefully with that comes a few performances and visuals to look forward to. This project is a little more intimate, and it touches base on a lot of my influences while giving listeners a front-row seat into my mind.
As for collabs and events with Siobhan… that’s my girl, so we will always be up to something. I’m super excited for it, and I cannot wait to share it with you all!”
Siobhan: “Khmeii x Siobhan is not quite over yet. We’re looking to do more performances, as well as recording and performing an acoustic version of Breathe Me, so definitely keep an eye out for that.
Regarding myself, there’s not a solid time frame I can give you yet, but I will be releasing my debut single in the new year. You can also expect more music and creative content on social media—from covers, to poetry, and possibly even some unreleased snippets. Overall, you can look forward to new music and content from yours truly ;).”
As we close out the year with these two emerging creatives, be sure to stay connected with them on what's next in their artist journey. Follow @Khmeii and @iamsiobhan on social platforms; you don't want to miss the next big drop!
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