Soul R&B artist Lindsey Webster is known for her chart-topping success, including two number one smooth jazz hits and nine Top 10 Billboard songs. She was named Billboard Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year for 2016 and 2017 and released the album A Woman Like Me.
South African-born guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler blends R&B, pop, jazz, and gospel. Breaking out in the late 1980s, he earned a Grammy nomination for the hit single Lies and achieved international success with albums like Surrender and Grace and Mercy.
New Orleans soul singer, songwriter and producer PJ Morton is a 6x Grammy winner and Maroon 5's former keyboardist. He has collaborated with Stevie Wonder and Lil Wayne, runs Morton Records, and became the first Black composer to write an original song for a Disney attraction.
Born in Dallas and raised in Chattanooga and Atlanta, R&B singer, songwriter, and dancer Usher is best known for multi-platinum albums like My Way and the diamond-certified Confessions. A multi-Grammy winner, he has scored numerous chart-topping hits including Yeah! and My Boo.
Philadelphia-born rapper Eve rose to fame in the late 1990s as part of the Ruff Ryders posse. Her chart-topping 1999 debut made history as the first number one album by a female rapper. She won a Grammy Award for the hit single Let Me Blow Ya Mind featuring Gwen Stefani.
Memphis hip-hop artist GloRilla broke out in 2022 with the hit single FNF (Let's Go), earning Grammy nominations. Signed to CMG and Interscope, she released the acclaimed debut album GLORIOUS and scored hits like Yeah Glo! and Wanna Be with Megan Thee Stallion.
Matthew Whitaker is a New York-based jazz organist and pianist known for blending the Hammond B-3 tradition with gospel harmony and big-band arrangements. He has released four albums, including Outta the Box and On Their Shoulders, and collaborated with groups like the WDR Big Band and The 8-Bit Big Band.
Formed in Cincinnati by siblings including Ronald, Rudolph, and O'Kelly, the Isley Brothers evolved from gospel to R&B, soul, and funk. Known for hits like Shout and It's Your Thing, they notably featured guitarist Jimi Hendrix early on and released acclaimed albums including 3 + 3 and The Heat Is On.
Singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer Lauryn Hill rose to fame with the Grammy-winning group the Fugees before releasing her 1998 solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She won five Grammy Awards in 1999, integrating rap, soul, and reggae into a singular sound.
Lucky Daye, born in New Orleans, crafts a unique R&B style blending funk, soul, and nineties swagger. Known for albums like "Painted" and "Table For Two," he collaborates with producer D'Mile, showcasing a wide-ranging, energetic sound.
Grammy-nominated artist Syd self-taught music production at 15 and toured with Odd Future before co-founding The Internet. She has released six major label albums, produced for Beyoncé, and established a multifaceted career spanning music, video direction, and design.
Grammy-nominated adult contemporary R&B duo Kindred the Family Soul consists of Philadelphia husband and wife Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon. Rooted in traditional soul and gospel, the duo released their debut album, Surrender to Love, in 2003 on Hidden Beach Recordings. Their notable releases include In This Life Together and The Arrival.
Philadelphia rapper Freeway rose to fame with Roc-A-Fella Records, featuring on Jay-Z tracks before releasing his Top Ten debut album, Philadelphia Freeway, in 2003. Known for his gruff style, he later released albums like The Stimulus Package and Think Free.
Philadelphian rapper Beanie Sigel rose to fame on Roc-a-Fella Records with his 2000 debut album, The Truth, followed by The Reason in 2001. Known for his hard-hitting rhymes, he also starred in the film State Property 2 and released albums including The B. Coming and The Solution.
Born in Detroit and raised in Denver, acclaimed jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves blends jazz, R&B, and pop. Mentored by Clark Terry, she signed to Blue Note in 1987. Reeves has won five Grammy Awards, including for albums like The Calling and Beautiful Life.
Loose Ends is a group formed in the early 1980s. In 1988, Carl McIntosh continued the band with new members, debunking breakup rumors by making hits through the 1990s. Their album Look How Long was produced by McIntosh and featured vocalists including Laurneá Wilkerson.
Formed in Washington in the mid-1970s by local students, Rare Essence is a legendary Go-Go band and DC institution. Over four decades, they have released dozens of albums and performed alongside major acts like Run DMC, Ice Cube, TLC, and Chuck Brown.
Backyard Band delivers a raw, powerful mix of Rock'n'Roll, Blues, and Punkrock-Attitüde. Their characteristic garage sound bridges legends like Little Richard and The Sonics, known for being dirty, direct, and captivating. They are recognized for their energetic shows and honest rock'n'roll power.
Liverpool-born Marsha Ambrosius, "The Songstress," is an R&B and soul powerhouse. Known for her melodic writing and soulful ballads, she rose to fame with Floetry and as a solo artist. A Grammy-nominated talent, she co-wrote Michael Jackson's "Butterflies" and collaborated on Dr. Dre's "Casablanco" (2024), alongside albums like "Nyla" and hits such as "Far Away."
Brit-funk-rooted acid jazz group Incognito, led by multi-instrumentalist Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick since 1979. Known for UK hits “Always There” (No. 6) and “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” (No. 19) and Top 10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz albums.
East Flatbush, Brooklyn rapper known for an idiosyncratic, ragga-inspired style. Rose with Leaders of the New School, then broke solo with 1996 hit Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check. His 2006 album The Big Bang debuted at No. 1.
Philly-born DJ/producer Drama, Gangsta Grillz mixtape king; co-founded Atlantic’s Generation Now (Lil Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow); narrated Tyler’s CMIYGL; collab’d w/ T.I., Wayne, Jeezy.
Chicago-raised singer, songwriter, and producer Donell Jones debuted in 1996 with My Heart on LaFace Records, following his success writing hits for Usher. He broke out with his second album, Where I Wanna Be, and later released acclaimed projects like Life Goes On and Journey of a Gemini.
Raised in Nashville, TN, Coco Jones is an R&B singer and actress known for her soulful, honest style. She starred in Disney's Let It Shine and Peacock's Bel-Air and is signed with High Standardz/Def Jam.
Washington, D.C.-born R&B singer Ari Lennox broke out with 2019 debut Shea Butter Baby, featuring platinum hits “Shea Butter Baby” and “BMO.” Her work earned GRAMMY, Soul Train and NAACP noms; “Pressure” made her first solo Hot 100 entry.
South London-raised producer, composer and drummer. He co-founded Yussef Kamaal with Kamaal Williams; their acclaimed album Black Focus (2016, Brownswood) became influential. Launched Cashmere Thoughts Recordings in 2018; co-made What Kinda Music with Tom Misch, UK Top 5.
Philadelphia-born genre-blending rap star UZI: 3 Billboard 200 No.1s, 31B streams, GRAMMY-nominated, Diamond “XO TOUR Llif3”; hits “Just Wanna Rock.” Collabs: Future, Pharrell, Migos.
Saucy Santana, born Rashad Michael Harris, is a Florida rapper raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Known for sharp, vulgar bars with pop catchiness, he broke out in 2019 with "Walk Em Like a Dog" and "Material Girl," later on 2020 mixtape Imma Celebrity. Debut album Keep It Playa (2021). Worked as a makeup artist for City Girls; collaborated with Latto and Madonna.
Philly-born Roots MC Black Thought: incisive ’90s street poet (“What They Do”). Grammy winner (“You Got Me” w/ Erykah Badu); LPs Things Fall Apart+. Worked w/ Danger Mouse.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, adult contemporary balladeer Peabo Bryson became a two-time Grammy winner for his vocal duets on Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle. He earned numerous R&B and pop hits throughout his career.
Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel, linked to Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella, founded State Property. They debuted via the 2001 film State Property soundtrack, featuring breakout hit “Roc the Mic” with Freeway, and returned in 2003 with Chain Gang, Vol. 2.
Lungelihle Zwane began her music journey in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Using social media, she reached millions of viewers and kick-started her career. She’s also interested in fashion and dance.
Maverick City is a groundbreaking CCM and gospel collective known for uniting diverse creatives and reshaping church music with vibrant, inclusive worship sounds.
dvsn is a Canadian R&B duo from Toronto, featuring Daniel Daley and Grammy-nominated producer Nineteen85. Known for their lush, sensual slow jams blending 90s R&B with contemporary hip-hop, they explore themes of love and relationships. Popular songs include "Too Deep" and "With Me." Albums like Working on My Karma and Cheers to the Best Memories showcase their acclaimed sound. They earned a BET Awards nomination for Best Group.
Philadelphia rap duo Young Gunz features Young Chris and Neef. Emerging from the State Property collective, they gained widespread fame with their hit single Can't Stop, Won't Stop. They released the albums Tough Luv and Brothers from Another.
North Philly's Peedi Crakk, known for his high nasal tone and stop-start flow, gained fame on Roc-a-Fella with hits like "One for Peedi Crakk" and collabs with Jay-Z, Freeway, and the Roots.
North Carolina rap trio Little Brother, known for soulful, thoughtful hip-hop, rose with Phonte, Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, acclaimed for The Listening and The Minstrel Show.
Tina Dunham, aka Diamond Kuts, was born in Philadelphia and became the first woman DJ on Philly radio. Known for trap-EDM and pop-R&B tracks like "Dribble" and "Hella Sauce," she has spun for artists like Nicki Minaj and Lil Mama.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
