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Black Violin is led by classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin). Joining them onstage are DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. The band uses their unique blend of classical and hip-hop music to overcome stereotypes while encouraging people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds to join together to break down cultural barriers. * * *
High school friends Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (Wil B) met in a Fort Lauderdale performing arts program as teens. While Sylvester plays the violin, Baptiste plays the viola and together they create a distinct sound that rocked the hip-hop community. Despite attending different colleges, the two gravitated back toward one another and decided to try their hand at music full-time.
Their first taste of stardom came when they performed alongside Grammy winner Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. The duo used this momentum to provide musical support on tour for artists such as Wu-Tang Clan and Kanye West. Baptiste also has musical credits on studio albums for hip-hop sensations Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B and Lil Wayne.
In 2007, the duo released their self-titled debut album, and the follow-up, Classically Trained, a few years later. Their 2019 album Take the Stairs was nominated for a Grammy, the duo's first recognition. Most recently, Black Violin released their own spin on a Christmas album titled Give Thanks.
In 2019, Sylvester, Baptiste and Phil Beaudreau founded their own label titled Di Versatile Music Group to promote the release of Take the Stairs, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Classical and Classical Crossover charts, and cracked the Top 10 on the Top New Artists chart and Hip Hop and R&B Chart.
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Event venue
900 Viterbo Dr, La Crosse, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54601
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.
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Concerts in La CrossePerformances in La CrosseHip-hop-music in La CrosseViolin in La CrossePerforming-arts in La Crosse