Local Richmond Artist Encapsulates All the City Has to Offer
It’s a month of many jubilations with Pride Month, Juneteenth and Black Music Month. The city has a little bit of everything for residents, from lively events to acquainted queer artists.
by Chloe Hawkins
June 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Cin the Ciege performs during Episode 64 of RVA Rap Elite in March.
RICHMOND, VA — In June, you’ll typically see people strolling through Pride parades, honoring their ancestors by the African Burial Grounds or enjoying live events for Black Music Month. But regardless of the month, the local community never fails to rejoice with one another.
“Things like Black Music Month are all year for us,” Cin The Ciege said. “We are music, we’re a rhythm, we are culture.”
Family and friends grew up with Curtis Charity, while fellow artists and creatives probably know thon as Cin The Ciege or C3. Cin is a local LGBTQ-facing artist that makes “eccentric, satirical and alternative music,” as thon would describe.
Read More: One Sudden Death Wasn't Enough and the Competitiveness of RVA Rap Elite: Episode 66
Cin’s pronouns are thon/thons. It’s a gender-nuetral pronoun that’s a contraction of “that one,” coined in the nineteenth century.
“My style tends to be very animated. I can joke but I can also be serious and deep in my writing,” Cin said.
Inspired by legends, Cin The Ciege has been making music for as long as thon can remember, recalling having karaoke nights with family growing up.
“I gotta give it to the G.O.A.T. Michael Jackson and Prince. They’re in my top tier,” thon said. “Michael is the ultimate peak of entertainment, while Prince is the ultimate peak of musicianship.”
Cin also gave flowers to Beyonce, MF Doom, JPEGMAFIA and Durand Bernarr, highlighting thons wide range of music taste. Thon put thonselves out there in the Richmond music scene almost a decade ago, and has enjoyed every moment since.
“Richmond allows you to stay rooted but also spread yourself out to wherever you wanna go, like a rooted tree,” Cin said. “It’s kind of the underdog of the music scene, compared to L.A. or New York.”
Cin says that the city has always been very welcoming, despite thon being different from some of thons peers.
“You just gotta find your tribe out here; I’m sort of in the LGBTQ tribe,” Cin said. “But at the same time I have a complete juxtaposition because I also be rapping with the people at RVA Rap Elite. But they have completely welcomed me.”
Cin has different ways to tap into creative spaces, but the best thing for thon is to step away from the pen and go outside. Cin is on a non-profit label, Grinalkin Records, which also hosts local LGBTQ+ events.
“Part of my creative process is just experiencing life and being out,” thon said. “Also a five to ten minute nap does me wonders.”
Cin is currently getting ready for the next RVA Rap Elite, a monthly gathering for creatives to freestyle, participate in cyphers and show off their producing skills.
The next RVA Rap Elite event is on Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m., at its usual home of Vagabond, 700 E Broad St.
Save $5 when you use code TRSEEN at RVARapElite.com.
Thank you so much for reading. We’ll see you Sunday, June 28th!
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