By Cameron Lee
December 8, 2025
You may know Fannie Mae from Charlotte FC soccer matches, where she has DJ’d since their inaugural game in 2022 in front of 74,000-plus fans. You may also know Fannie as the co-founder of Sainted Trap Choir, the gospel/trap music ensemble that has captivated millions across television, YouTube, and social media. If you’re not a soccer fan or aren’t on social media much, you may have attended one of the many events she’s DJ’d — Dreamville Fest, corporate gigs, parties, galas, and clubs throughout the region.
Where you haven’t seen Fannie yet is in the director’s and writer’s chair, preparing for her debut as a playwright in A Sainted Christmas Carol (December 20 at Carolina Theatre), a reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic tale into a trap-soul musical. Along with co-founder, bandleader, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Dennis Reed Jr., and an incredible cast of Sainted Trap Choir members and actors in the community, it’s the latest production after a whirlwind year for the group.
They’ve recently performed with Ludacris at One Music Festival for a special 25th anniversary musical retrospective with several star-studded guests including Usher, Jadakiss, Jeezy, Fergie, and LL Cool J; in Vatican City for the Grace for the World concert co-directed by Pharrell Williams and Andrea Bocelli; and at The Hip Hop Museum’s recent Black Tie Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
“This is the first time I’ve been emotional about a show or anything that I’ve kind of done,” Fannie said. “This is something new for me. I’ve never been a playwright.”
Fannie says the show will follow the structure of most musicals, with an engaging opening number to get audiences in the Christmas spirit, then introducing Scrooge, a jaded music producer named “Ice,” a cold-hearted music mogul “whose love of money has frozen his heart.” The production features choreography by Sainted Trap Choir artistic director Frenchie Corpening (who also works in wardrobe and arrangements) and James Alsop, with music direction by Josh Isaac leading a live band.
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“Be ready to hear some Christmas classics like we’ve never heard them before,” Fannie said. “Also be ready to hear some original music that’s going to give new life to some classics.”
The Origins of Sainted Trap Choir
Sainted Trap Choir co-founders Dennis Reed Jr. and Fannie Mae both attended the 2 Chainz Pretty Girls Love Trap Music tour in 2017 in Charlotte. Reed had the initial idea and reached out to Fannie after seeing 2 Chainz perform with a small trap choir on the tour.
“He called me and was like, ‘yo, I want to do a trap choir, but you’re the only person that I know that could help this come to life.’”
It wasn’t until February 7, 2020, that Sainted Trap Choir produced their first show at The Underground, with Reed — founder of the nonprofit Inspire the Fire, which mentors students ages 10-19 in artistic development and life skills — assembling the core choir.
“He already had quite the rolodex of singers here. So he called in a lot of them and pitched the idea,” Fannie said. “I began working on all of the musical sets… transitions and stuff like that… then we met with Evan Brice and CJ Thompson… and they began musical arrangements.”
The energy and turnout for the first event were strong, and they were set to do future shows in Raleigh and D.C. — then the pandemic shut down most venues and clubs nationwide. Not only did it halt the momentum of the production, but it upended Fannie’s life, as she was no longer able to make a living DJ’ing.
Fannie is originally from Raleigh by way of Tokyo, now rooted in Charlotte
Fannie grew up in Raleigh but dropped everything in 2013 to move to Tokyo. Her time there shaped her in many ways, and it’s where she began fine-tuning her DJ and hosting skills in nightlife districts like Roppongi, Shinjuku, and Shibuya.
“They’re very like all-in with certain things… but that’s why, also, in my opinion, some of the best DJs that I’ve ever heard are Japanese,” Fannie said. “A lot of the way I do my blends and style came from Japanese DJs… just learning and appreciating all cultures is really what I took from it, and it shaped, even fashion for me.”
She moved to Charlotte in 2013 after two-and-a-half months in Japan, trying to establish herself as a DJ before moving back to Japan for six months, living what she called a “Tokyo-ass” life, partying and working nightclubs as both a host and DJ.
“Moving to Charlotte was quite the interesting transition for me, because I really didn’t know anyone,” she said. “I really had to put my foot in the mud to get gigs and try to prove myself… I came back to the states in 2015 and have been in Charlotte ever since, just really, like, out here trying to get it.”
Fannie is Building her own Community as one of North Carolina’s premier DJs
In addition to leading Sainted Trap Choir with Reed and being Charlotte FC’s official DJ, she hosts her own events, like Blue Monday, Baby Girl, and Fannie’s Hang Suite, a casual, intimate conversational event at The Long Room, where she opens up about her personal life and guides the crowd through a specific musical era or theme.
“It’s turning into a community where we really connect over music,” she said. “We’re able to have conversations about music… it’s a very engaging and safe space for all people.”
Fannie doesn’t lack confidence; she has an affirming attitude and the aura to pull it off. But establishing herself in Charlotte wasn’t easy. From her earliest events linking up with artist, DJ, and event organizer Dammit Wesley — titled simply Dammit Fannie — a community-focused music, visual, and performance arts event providing an alternative to nightclubs, she has been grinding.
“There comes a point as an artist where you go from wanting to be included to making and creating your own thing,” she said. “I’m finding success and joy for the city that I haven’t had in a while.”
Sainted Trap Choir: From Charlotte to the National Spotlight
In 2022, following their first major collaboration with Rick Ross and Orchestra Noir at Atlanta Symphony Hall for the Red Bull Symphonic, Sainted received a message on their Instagram page about auditioning for America’s Got Talent. In 2023, they debuted on the show, performing Migos’ “Bad and Boujee,” Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock,” and Robin S’s “Show Me Love,” earning four “yes” votes from the judges, including Simon Cowell, who Fannie says has been a big supporter. While they surprisingly didn’t advance past the semifinals in Season 18, their appearances on America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League wowed viewers with breathtaking renditions of Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”
Since then, the group has performed at the Hip Hop Museum’s Black Tie Gala, the Grace for the World concert in Vatican City, alongside Ludacris at One Music Festival, and at numerous major events across the country. They have garnered national recognition, reaching millions through social media with their dynamic renditions of hip-hop, R&B, and gospel hits, earning acclaim from some of the industry’s most prominent recording artists.
“We knew it would evolve, but to reach the heights and venues that we’ve been to… I don’t think it was part of our wildest dreams,” Fannie said.
On Saturday, December 20, at the historic Carolina Theatre, Fannie will direct a musical production in the spirit of Sainted, fusing a time-honored classic with modern hip-hop flair. A Sainted Christmas Carol will also support co-founder Reed’s nonprofit, Inspire the Fire, keeping with the season’s spirit of giving.
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