Draft:Cherie Lily

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Cherie Lily
Background information
OriginChicago, U.S.
Genres
Years active2002–present
Labels
  • Peace Biscuit
  • Steev Mike
  • Chervana

Cherie Lily is an American musician, fitness professional,[1] and entertainment entrepreneur based in Chicago, Illinois.[2] Her discography as a singer-songwriter traverses various dance, pop, and punk subgenres, heavily incorporating queer club culture and fitness.[3] As a Director of Talent Management at Voss Events, she oversaw the careers of over twenty drag artists that competed on RuPaul's Drag Race including Aquaria,[4] Vanessa Vanjie, Kim Chi, and Plastique Tiara.[5][6][7] As a music producer, she has produced tracks for Yvie Oddly[8][9], Kevin Aviance[10], Werq the World[11], Night of the Living Drag[12], and Amanda Lepore[13], among others. In 2025, she founded Chervana Music, a record label and creative collective supporting DJs, producers, and performing artists.[14][15]

Musical career

[edit]

Cherie Lily began her career as a recording artist and vocalist in the punk band Cavity Girl and The Daggers in Eugene, Oregon[16][17]. She moved to New York City in 2002 as a teenager and there founded alternative rock groups Spank and FlüRT. According to Get Out! Magazine, she was kicked out of the all-girl hard-core group, Skizonation because “she didn’t have tattoos.”[18][19]

Around this time, Lily developed a strong following for her high-energy group fitness classes at fitness clubs throughout New York City like Equinox and Crunch,[20][19] setting her on a path to become a celebrity private trainer, with clients like Sia and Sam Endicott of The Bravery[1]. Her fitness certifications included yoga, kickboxing, cycling, rebounding, dance, and HIIT.[21]

In 2006, she began working on self-produced music that fused emergent electronic dance music styles with fitness steps and flamboyant visuals, a sub-genre she dubbed HOUSEROBICS.[22][1][19]

Lily produced music for both fitness instruction and live performance formats, leading classes at gyms like Equinox[23] and performances at Santos Party House[24][25][26] and Glasslands Gallery[27]. TimeOut Magazine described Lily’s “all-singin', all-dancin' shows” as “fist-pumping, hilarious and joyful events.”[28]

In December of 2013, Lily appeared on the CBS New York morning show Live from The Couch, demonstrating an aerobic routine as part of their “The Fit Minute” segment.[29]

Her first solo release under the name Cherie Lily was 2010’s “WERK,”[30] its titular track packaged as part of a remix EP featuring versions by Nita Aviance, Princess Superstar & Andrew W.K., and Soundwavve.[31][19][16]

In 2012, Lily was featured alongside Craig C on “Major,” an original track by RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Milan (Dwayne Cooper).[32]

In 2013, she released The Dripping Wet EP[33], which featured the single “Body,” a collaboration with producer Vjuan Allure praised by Flavour Mag and described as “a throwback to 1989’s hip house, when rap and electronic club music were first blended together to produce soulful groove… songs that blasted from out of dance clubs and onto radio, forever changing the sound of pop.”[34]

Another single from The Dripping Wet EP, “Kiss My Lips,” was described by Get Out! Magazine as “a hard-thumping club track that flips the bird on old stereotypes of girls needing to wait on men to make the first move.” Lily told the publication, “I liken the song’s message to a tiger going after its prey. A tiger isn’t shy and doesn’t hesitate. In love and life, sometimes you’ve got to go 100%.”[35] The track was featured in a promo reel for MTV's The Challenge, a dating reality competition.[36]

In 2015, Lily self-released “I Like It,” another collaboration with Vjuan Allure, and an accompanying music video featuring The Aquadettes, a senior synchronized swimming team.[37] Hotspot Magazine named the track among its “Fall of 2015 Hottest Dance Beats,” praising it as “one heck of a manically pumped-up song.”[38]

That year, Lily was featured as a vocalist on “Dance Like You Got Good Credit”[39], “Spicy!”[40], and “What’s the T?” (with Alyssa Edwards)[41] by Cazwell.

Cherie Lily on the set of the “Shade Served” video

Since The Dripping Wet EP, Lily has consistently released digital singles, including “Gemstone,” as well as several guitar-based rock songs, including “Perfect One.”[42]

Under the Chervana Music imprint, Lily released “Shade Served” on September 30, 2025, paired with a self-shot and directed music video.[43] Get Out!’s Ben Neslon called it a “Halloween-ready house anthem”, adding, “This track is a fierce fusion of rap, house, and hip-hop sensibilities — dark, powerful, and unapologetically emotional.” Lily described the track in Electro Wow as “a statement of resilience and karmic justice wrapped in an irresistible dancefloor-ready beat.”[44]

Music production

[edit]

Cherie Lily is a multi-instrumentalist who in 2011 named Ableton as her preferred digital audio workbench, into which she records keyboards and guitar through an M-Audio digital interface.[45] She has produced tracks for and with numerous artists, most of them performers and DJs in the drag and LGBTQIA+ club music realms. She is credited on a number of tracks by Yvie Oddly, including the singles “Twilight Zone”[9], “Reading,” and “Books.”[46]

Lily served as songwriter and producer for Amanda Lepore’s “Come Closer” as well as her 2024 holiday pop release “Turn the Heat Up,”[13] and contributed alongside James Patterson for Odessa da Gawd’s 2025 track “WHAT ABOUT HOUSE.”[47]

In 2025, Lily wrote and co-produced Kevin Aviance’s “Bloodline,” the second-to-last track on his first LP in over two decades, HIPPOPOTOMAS!. In a full-length feature about the Chervana Music release, Billboard Magazine referred to “Bloodline” as a standout track, calling it “a stunning ode to the resilience and power of the LGBTQ+ community of the past, the present and the future.” The song’s lyrics are inspired by Lily’s conversations with Grandfather Hector Xtravaganza before he passed away in 2018.[48]

Collaborations with Andrew W.K.

[edit]
Lily as a member of Andrew W.K.’s live ensemble on the set of Conan on TBS

Cherie Lily is credited as a performer and producer on a number of projects with Andrew W.K., to whom she was married from 2008 to 2022. Joining his live ensemble as a vocalist[49], she sang on his 2006 album Close Calls with Brick Walls, which The Guardian called “one of the most ambitious American rock albums this year.”[50] She contributed as a producer on his album You're Not Alone and is credited as an engineer on his 2009 solo piano album 55 Cadillac. She also contributed vocals to the W.K.-produced 2009 Lee "Scratch" Perry album Repentance, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album.[3][51]

Lily is listed alongside W.K. as a member of To Live and Shave in L.A., a Miami Beach-based experimental noise collective, for the recording sessions that would become the four-part anthology The Grief that Shrieked to Multiply.[52]

As a business professional

[edit]

In 2019, Cherie Lily joined Voss Events as a talent manager, stewarding the careers of drag performers including Aquaria, Kameron Michaels, Violet Chachki, Gottmik, Yvie Oddly, and Willow Pill, among others. She was later promoted to Director of Partnerships & Music. [5][7][53]

She founded Chervana Music, a label, production house, and creative collective in 2025. Kevin Aviance’s album HIPPOPOTAMUS!, was premiered exclusively by Billboard Magazine on October 10 of that year. Chervana Music’s roster also includes Amanda Lepore, DJ Gomi, DJ HAI-LIFE, Richie Beretta, Cazwell, Jen DM, and more.[14][10][5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Michelson, Noah. "Need To Know: Cherie Lily". Out Magazine. equalpride. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  2. ^ Nelson, Ben. "Cherie Lily Serves Shade". Get Out! Magazine. Mike Todd. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Discogs page". Discogs. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  4. ^ "Contact". Aquaria (official website). Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Somewhere Fest & Conference bio". Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  6. ^ Montero, Roytel. "How The Founder Of Voss Events Turned His Love For Nightlife Into A Booming Business". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "New Voss Digital To Center LGBTQ+ Creators and Influencers". Out Traveler. equalpride. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  8. ^ "Hype". YouTube. Yvie Oddly. June 19, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Twilight Zone". Shazam. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Daw, Stephen. "Kevin Aviance Cements His Legacy With First Solo Album in Over Two Decades: 'Music Saved My Life'". Billboard Magazine. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  11. ^ "Werq the World Apple Music page". Apple Music. Voss Music. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  12. ^ "Night of the Living Drag's "Original Sin feat. Yvie Oddly + Kirstin of Pentatonix"". YouTube. Voss Events, Inc. October 28, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Turn the Heat Up". iHeart Radio. iHeartMedia. December 16, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Roster". Chervana Music. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  15. ^ "HIPPOPOTAMUS!". Apple Music. Kevin Aviance. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Hagan, Molly. "Cherie Lily Debuts 'Werk' The Remix EP,' 10/12". Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media Publishing. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  17. ^ "Next to Me with Cherie". Soundcloud. Dustin Plumb.
  18. ^ Aguayo, Carlos. "Cherie Lily Wants You to Kiss Her...Lips". Get Out! Magazine. Mike Todd. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d Turner, Ian Michael (April 27, 2012). "Interview with Cherie Lily: Fitness queen and dance music artist". The Upcoming. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  20. ^ Moore, Madison. "Yes! Work! You Look Fierce! Live It!". Splice Today. Russ Smith. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  21. ^ Rudolph, Rajan (October 16, 2010). "Everyone Needs A Bit Of Cherie Lily In Their Life". EQ Music. EQ Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  22. ^ Moore, Madison. "Yes! Work! You Look Fierce! Live It!". Splice Today. Russ Smith. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  23. ^ "Cherie Lily HOUSEROBICS @ Equinox New York City "Total Body Workout" w/ Jewel Elizabeth". YouTube. Cherie Lily. May 7, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  24. ^ Fun, Vito (February 2013). "We Went to Cherie Lily's Album Release Party". Vice. Vice Media. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  25. ^ "Cherie Lily EP Release Party @ Santos Party House". Xex Magazine. RPI Print Inc. February 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  26. ^ Hay, Edwina. "Cherie Lily Album Release Show". Impose Magazine. Answer Media. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  27. ^ "Math the Band, What Cheer Brigade, Cherie Lily, .357 Lover". BrooklynVegan. The Project M Group. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  28. ^ "Cherie Lily + House of Ladosha + Dai Burger + Bry'Nt + Samn! + Eric Joppy". TimeOut. Time Out Group. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  29. ^ "Cherie Lily LIVE on CBS New York's TV morning show, THE COUCH!". YouTube. Cherie Lily. December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  30. ^ "Cherie Lily – Werk - The Remix EP". Discogs. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  31. ^ Michelson, Noah. "Popnography First Look: Cherie Lily's "Werk" Video". Out Magazine. equalpride. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  32. ^ "Major! (feat. Cherie Lily & Craig C.) - EP". Apple Music. Dwayne Milan. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  33. ^ "The Dripping Wet EP". Alt Press. Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  34. ^ Foster, Leonard (November 2013). "WATCH: Cherie Lily "Body" @CherieLily". Flavour Magazine. Leonard Foster. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  35. ^ Aguayo, Carlos. "Cherie Lily Wants You to Kiss Her… Lips". Get Out! Magazine. Mike Todd. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  36. ^ "Cherie Lily & Lilipop "Kiss My Lips" for MTV's The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2". YouTube. Peace Bisquit. January 6, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  37. ^ ""I LIKE IT" - CHERIE LILY feat. VJUAN ALLURE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". YouTube. Cherie Lily. August 13, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  38. ^ Newsum, Jimmy (September 9, 2015). "Beat Box: Fall of 2015 Hottest Dance Beats". HotSpots Magazine. Hotspots Media Group. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  39. ^ Panisch, Alex. "Cazwell Dares Us to Dream in 'Dance Like You Got Good Credit'". Out Magazine. equalpride. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  40. ^ "Watch: NSFW Cazwell's Sweet Latin Trap Beat, '¡Spicy!' Is an Ode to the Culo". Edge Media Network. The Edge Media group. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  41. ^ ""Hits All Over Your Face" celebrates Cazwell's bold approach to identity and resistance". Ladygunn. September 18, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  42. ^ "Cherie Lily". YouTube. Cherie Lily. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  43. ^ Nelson, Ben. "Cherie Lily Serves Shade". Get Out! Magazine. Mike Todd. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  44. ^ Ycaza, Erick (October 2025). "Cherie Lily Turned Her Rage Into Your New Halloween Anthem". Electro Wow. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  45. ^ "Producing With Ableton Live Packs: Cherie Lily - WinkSound". YouTube. WinkSound. October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  46. ^ "Yvie Oddly - READING BOOKS [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Yvie Oddly. June 28, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  47. ^ "WHAT ABOUT HOUSE? - Extended Cherie Lily, DJ Gomi Chicago Mix". Tunebat. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  48. ^ Daw, Stephen. "Kevin Aviance Cements His Legacy With First Solo Album in Over Two Decades: 'Music Saved My Life'". Billboard Magazine. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  49. ^ "Andrew W.K. - Music Is Worth Living For (Live At Conan On TBS)". YouTube. Koi No Yokan. April 15, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  50. ^ Campion, Chris (December 10, 2006). "Andrew WK, Close Calls With Brick Walls". The Guardian. Scott Trust Limited. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  51. ^ "Lee "Scratch" Perry". Grammy Awards. Recording Academy and its Affiliates. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  52. ^ "The Grief That Shrieked to Multiply". Bandcamp. To Live and Shave in L.A. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  53. ^ "Werq the World". vossevents.com. Voss Events. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2019.