G Precious (she/her) | 2023 Native Launchpad Associate Artist

Tribal Affiliation: Ohkay Owingeh

Artistic Discipline: Music

Location: Ohkay Owingeh, NM

G Precious - Brenda M. Atencio was born and raised on the Indian Reservation of Ohkay Owingeh - Village of the Strong (formerly San Juan Pueblo) by her grandmother Gregorita T. Atencio. The second of eight children, she began creative writing at the young age of six, identifying herself as BMA Chill — part of a group known as Chill, Funky, Ice. BMA Chill continued writing as a means to deal with the dynamics of life — alcoholism, drugs, depression, suicide, and loss.

At the age of twelve, BMA Chill became G Precious.

G Precious experienced the loss of her main support system with the death of her grandmother, aunts Sandy and Rose, and her older brother Ivan. These losses sparked a flame, pushing her to return to the recording studio, where she completed and released her long-awaited, heartbreaking debut album, On My Shoulders, into which she channeled her life, her heart, her family, her struggles, and a courageous hope and healing process. Since the release of On My Shoulders, G Precious has released several albums including Hip Hop & Hotdogs Vol. 1; Abomination; Walk On Water – Evolution; ECLECTIC; Bow & Arrow Songs of Ohkay Owingeh(traditional); The Forgotten; and LIFE.  

G Precious is a multi-award winning and nominated artist for the Native American Music Awards; New Mexico Music Awards; Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards (Ottawa, CA); and the Indian Summer Music Awards.

She was also a finalist for the Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award (2018) for her selfless contributions to her Pueblo and surrounding communities.

G Precious has proven that no matter the life you've lived and the struggles you've faced, with determination, perseverance and positive thoughts, nothing can stop you.