Grammy-winning artist, acclaimed for hits like "First Began" & "How Deep Is Your Love," collaborated with stars like Adam Levine & Stevie Wonder. Known for blending pop/R&B, his music features in films & on Spotify with over 553K monthly listeners.
Born in Philadelphia, DJ Jazzy Jeff is a pioneering DJ known for the Transformer scratch & Grammy wins with Will Smith. He founded A Touch of Jazz, produced for Jill Scott, & released celebrated albums including the Magnificent series.
Rakim, born William Griffin in Wyandanch, NY, revolutionized hip-hop with his smooth flow and complex lyrics. Known for hits like "Paid in Full" with Eric B., he shaped progressive MC techniques and won critical acclaim, maintaining relevance from the 1980s through solo work in the late '90s.
Born in Philadelphia, Bilal is a unique R&B artist, blending opera and jazz influences into his music. Known for neo-soul, he's collaborated with D'Angelo, Jay-Z, and more. His hits include "Soul Sista," and he's a Grammy-nominated artist from innovative albums like Airtight's Revenge.
5-time Grammy-winner Lalah Hathaway, a Chicago-born artist known for R&B, has collaborated with Pharrell, Kendrick Lamar & more. Celebrated for her vocal talent & musical lineage, she's also famed for her work with icons like Prince & Stevie Wonder.
Digable Planets, from NY, MD, and PA, fused jazz and hip-hop, gaining fame with their Grammy-winning hit "Rebirth of Slick." Known for the albums "Reachin'" and "Blowout Comb," they showcased a mix of live music and street sound.
Marcus Gilmore, a renowned jazz drummer from New York, is celebrated for his unique blend of global percussion traditions and improvisation. Influenced by Tony Williams and Milford Graves, Gilmore honed his craft at prestigious schools like LaGuardia High. He played with legends like Chick Corea, with whom he won a Latin Grammy. His other collaborations include Vijay Iyer, Ravi Coltrane, and Kris Davis. As a bandleader, he released works like "Refract" with Jason Moran and "For Loved Ones" with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Acclaimed by DownBeat and chosen for the Rolex Arts Initiative, Gilmore’s impact on jazz is profound.
London-born Yussef Dayes is celebrated for his electrifying drum performances, blending African, Caribbean, and grime influences. Known from Yussef Kamaal & the album "Black Focus", he collaborated with Tom Misch on "What Kinda Music", hitting UK Top 5.
Ghost Note, formed by Shahar Fahima from Israel and Oded Kiakow from USA, blends techno, progressive, and psychedelic trance. Known globally for their intricate grooves and ethereal soundscapes, they've performed at major festivals and clubs worldwide since 2015, releasing music through labels like Nano and IBOGA Records.
Born in NC, George Clinton, funk mastermind of Parliament & Funkadelic, known for hits like "Atomic Dog," collaborated with Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar. His work is showcased at the Smithsonian, and he’s a 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award winner from the Recording Academy.
Nas, born Nasir Jones in NYC, is a Grammy-winning rapper known for his impactful voice in hip-hop. Famous for the classic 'Illmatic,' he's worked with Jay-Z, Kanye, and Hit-Boy. Noted for blending street narratives with sophisticated lyricism.
Born in Berlin and raised in D.C., Meshell Ndegeocello is a versatile musician known for blending funk, jazz, and R&B. Hits like "If That's Your Boyfriend" and collaborations with artists like John Mellencamp have earned her multiple Grammy nods, including for albums like *Plantation Lullabies* and *Peace Beyond Passion*. Celebrated for her skills across multiple instruments and profound lyrics.
Houston native Robert Glasper, a jazz pianist known for blending hip-hop and R&B, won Grammys for his Black Radio albums and has worked with Kendrick Lamar. His mixtape and soundtracks also earned acclaim.
NYC's De La Soul, famed for '3 Feet High and Rising,' collaborated with Prince Paul. Known for innovative Hip Hop and albums like 'Stakes Is High.' Grammy-nominated, their music hits streaming in 2023.
Mary J. Blige, an iconic GRAMMY® and Emmy Award-winning artist, is renowned for her gritty, soulful fusion of hip-hop and R&B. With eight multi-platinum albums, she has nine GRAMMY® wins and 37 nominations. Known for hits like "What's the 411?" and "My Life," she collaborates with the style of Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. Beyond music, Blige has two Oscar nominations and is set for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Austin-born Gary Clark, Jr. merges blues-rock with funk, hip-hop, and African influences. Known for hits like "This Land," he's won Grammys, collaborated with Alicia Keys and Foo Fighters.
Brooklyn-born Talib Kweli, known for introspective lyrics and strong mike skills, gained fame in the '90s with Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Hits include "Get By" and albums like 'Quality'. Collaborated with Kanye West, Mos Def, and more.
Born in Oxnard, CA, Madlib, aka Otis Jackson, Jr., is an acclaimed, eclectic hip-hop artist known for hits like "Madvillainy" and "Piñata." Known for old-school recording styles, he's collaborated with J Dilla, Freddie Gibbs, and more.
Neo-soul rapper Smino, known for his unique Southern drawl and sharp lyricism, excels in blending romance and comedy. Famous for "blkswn," he collaborates with stars like J.Cole.
BJ the Chicago Kid, born in Chicago, relocated to LA at 19. Known for R&B blend with modern twists and hits like "Studio" & "In My Switching between Motown and collaborations (Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak & Solange), he’s earned multiple Grammy nods.
Formed in Woodstock, NY in 1996, jazz-funk trio Soulive blends soul-jazz, pop & hip-hop. Known for hits like "Get Down" & collaborations with John Scofield & Chaka Khan. Notable for albums on Blue Note & tributes to the Beatles.
The Soul Rebels, a New Orleans brass band, blend funk, soul, hip hop, and jazz. Known for electrifying shows and collaborations with Nas, Metallica, Katy Perry, and more. Featured on NPR and Stephen Colbert's show. Tour extensively worldwide.
Born in Ferguson, MO, GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold blends jazz, rock, blues & hip hop. Known for the album 'The Mugician,' featuring artists like Gary Clark, Jr. & Robert Glasper. Celebrated for his modern, eclectic style and optimistic outlook.
Cory Henry, a Grammy-winning artist known for progressive R&B and jazz, gained fame with Snarky Puppy. Notable for albums like "Something to Say" and collaborations with stars like Rosalía and Imagine Dragons, his work spans global stages and major festivals.
New Orleans-born Nicholas Payton, acclaimed for blending jazz, hip-hop, R&B with trumpeting skills. Grammy winner known for "Gumbo Nouveau," "Afro-Caribbean Mixtape," and collaborations with Doc Cheatham and Christian McBride. Creator of Black American Music (BAM).
MonoNeon from Memphis, TN, is a bassist and singer-songwriter known for his experimental style. He collaborated with Prince and was the last bassist Prince hired.
