By Erin Pihl, UCA Publicity Intern
Most would consider the hip-hop and classical genres incompatible, separated by a wide spectrum of musical composition unlikely to collaborate in any constructive way. Kevin Sylvester (stage name Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (stage name Wil B) of Black Violin are here to disprove that notion with a powerful convergence of the two. As the opening event of the 2017 Classical Convergence Concert Series, the Classical Boom Tour makes a stop in Fort Collins at the Lincoln Center on Sept. 30, with a performance sure to unify and uplift the crowd.
In a time of such divisiveness, a Black Violin concert serves as a beacon of hope as people of all backgrounds come together in the name of music. Kev Marcus and Wil B recently spoke with the Indianapolis based alternative news organization Nuvo about the diversity of their crowd saying, “It’s a group of people that probably wouldn't be in the same room together unless they were at a baseball game. That’s amazing to see, and when everybody is there we have an opportunity to engage with people, and open up the conversation a little bit.”
With the release of their latest project, “Stereotypes,” the classically trained Miami duo lead ambitious efforts to reframe the way we think about cultural cliches, particularly in the music industry.
This commitment to demonstrating the fluidity of classical music stems from Black Violin’s original conception at the Dillard High School of Performing Arts. Both Sylvester and Baptiste identified as hip-hop fans before finding their classical niche, according to the June 28 interview with Nuvo. Eventually, their classical training and hip-hop roots developed organically into a powerful sound that has led them to work and tour with artists such as Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Tom Petty, and Aerosmith.
In a 2015 interview with NPR, the duo remarked they hope “their music will help keep classical music alive for the next generation.” Over the past year they have made great strides to transcend this generational barrier as their partnership with Yamaha Music and the National Association for Music Manufacturers has allowed them to perform for 100,000 students across North America and Europe promoting musical education.
The group boasted 28 sold out shows throughout their previous 2016 Unity Tour, with the upcoming Classical Boom tour set to see similar numbers. Tickets for the Sept. 30 Lincoln Center performance, co-presented by the CSU School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and the Fort Collins Lincoln Center are going quickly as only 100 tickets remain. lctix.com
General Assembly, Artist Management. (2017, August 17). Black Violin Announces 2017 “Classical Boom Tour” [Press release].