Biography
Malevitus is a rock band formed in New Orleans, Louisiana, with lead singer Tiana Hux, also known as MC Sweet Tea, as its central figure and the only female member. The band's name, derived from Greek, roughly translates to 'bad life,' reflecting its intense, hard-hitting sound characterized by Hux's powerful vocals over electric bass, guitar, and drums, blending elements of rock, punk, and genres like mathcore, sludge metal, screamo, and grindcore. Tiana Hux, born in Houston, Texas, grew up in suburbia and was first inspired by MTV music videos, leading her to study at the Art Institute of San Francisco before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin.[1][2][3]
There, Hux met her professor and mentor Linda Montano, a pioneer in performance art, who shaped her multidisciplinary approach. After college, Hux moved to New Orleans, embracing hip-hop, dance, and performance, but was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, leading to stints in Los Angeles and Austin before returning to New Orleans, where she found her artistic home. Malevitus began performing in 2016, with Hux's dynamic vocals driving the band's heavy, rhythm-anchored sound, often opening with deep bass lines and incorporating punk-inspired urgency and variation.[1][2]
The band's music stands out for its genre fluidity, with Hux challenging gender norms in rap and rock as a white female rapper and performer. Malevitus has released music including the album 'Malevitus' on Houma Records and the track 'Rapscallion,' contributing to New Orleans' vibrant arts scene while Hux continues as a performance artist and educator.[1][2][5][6]
Fun Facts
- Malevitus' name translates from Greek as 'bad life,' symbolizing its gritty, intense musical themes.[1][3]
- Tiana Hux coined the genre 'burlesque review' for her solo MC Sweet Tea act, blending hip-hop, dance, and burlesque.[1]
- The band opened for older jazz players at Preservation Hall, leading to Hux's first post-Katrina show at Voodoo Fest, where she called her work 'hip opera'.[1]
- Hux's performances challenge gender norms, portraying both 'aggressive masculinity' and 'delicate femininity' as a white female rapper in hip-hop.[1]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Linda Montano - Professor and mentor who introduced key performance art ideas (Influenced Hux's overall performance style) [University of Texas at Austin, early 2000s]
Key Collaborators
- Marcus Bronson - Composer and bassist (Malevitus band performances and recordings) [2016-present]
- Rob Cambre - Guitarist and noise artist (Malevitus band performances and recordings) [2016-present]
- Drummer (unnamed in sources) - Drummer in the band (Malevitus band performances and recordings) [2016-present]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Malevitus has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 13:46 | Golden Toy Soldiersfrom Malevitus | New Orleans Music Showw/ Black Mold or Bill DeTurk | |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 20:33 | sugar and salt | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold |