the BLK love mixtape

Born in Maywood and raised in Peoria, Illinois, Brandon Alexander Williams is a poet, MC and DJ. He is the most recent recipient of the Grant Wood Fellowship and is a visiting instructor at the University of Iowa’s School of Music where he teaches courses in Hip-Hop. Williams is an alumnus of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale where he produced “The Yard: An A’Capella/Hip-Hop Musical”. As an active MC and DJ, he has performed and taught throughout the country, produced eight albums, published two books and given several guest lectures and keynotes centered around art-integrated education.

Featured as one of Los Angeles's highest-rated photographers!, Brian Freeman has been featured byUnder Armour, Mazda, USA Today, The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Washington Wizards, and STNDRD Magazine.Brian studied Architecture at Hampton University and has years of experience in commercial and lifestyle photography. His innate ability to capture the soul of a moment and make timeless moments through photography has placed him in a league of extraordinary professional photographers.

A.D. Carson is a performance artist and educator from Decatur, Illinois. He received a Ph.D. in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design at Clemson University doing work that focuses on race, literature, history, and rhetorical performances. A 2016 recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Excellence in Service at Clemson, Carson worked with students, staff, faculty, and community members to raise awareness of historic, entrenched racism at the university through his See the Stripes campaign, which takes its name from his 2014 poem. His dissertation, “Owning My Masters: The Rhetorics of Rhymes & Revolutions,” is a digital archive that features a 34 track rap album and was recognized by the Graduate Student Government as the 2017 Outstanding Dissertation. Carson is an award-winning artist with essays, music, and poetry published at a variety of diverse venues such as The Guardian, Quiddity International Literary Journal and Public-Radio Program, and Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory, among others. His essay “Trimalchio from Chicago: Flashing Lights and the Great Kanye in West Egg” appears in The Cultural Impact of Kanye West (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014), and “Oedipus—Not So Complex: A Blueprint for Literary Education” is in Jay-Z: Essays on Hip Hop’s Philosopher King (McFarland & Co., 2011). Carson has written a novel, COLD, which hybridizes poetry, rap lyrics, and prose, and The City: [un]poems, thoughts, rhymes & miscellany, a collection of poems, short stories, and essays. Carson is currently assistant professor in Hip-Hop and the Global South at the University of Virginia. Follow A.D. Carson on Twitter/IG @aydeethegreat.

Ace Metaphor. Poet, Motivational speaker, Hopeless romantic. Over 1.8Million online followers and 100 million online views. Co-founder of “Metaphorically Speaking”, a Dayton based production company. Tours across the over as part of Ace Metaphor Productions. | AceMetaphor.com

Adán Bean is an accomplished emcee, spoken word poet and voice-over actor hailing from the small town of Massillon, OH, but has called Atlanta home for almost 10 years. As one half of the retro-progressive hip hop group, The Remnant, Adán has released 3 projects with the band as well as toured the country extensively bringing the music to the masses. In addition to writing, recording and performing music, he co-runs the website ForthDistrict.com which focuses on art, music and conscious culture. Finally, as an SEM copywriter by day, Adán Bean can be found on stages across the country sharing his prose and poetry.

Add-2 has released several critically acclaimed projects such as “Save.Our.Souls”, “More Missed Calls”, “Between Heaven And Hell” and “Prey For The Poor”. In 2016 he created Haven Studio which is a free music mentoring program that gives teens on the southside of Chicago a positive outlet to express themselves creatively. His music program has been featured on The Steve Harvey Show, Windy City Live, DNAInfo and more. Add-2 continues to use his voice and his platform to change the world around him.

Allah's Apprentice is a servant...that will give you bars as a lyricist and musician. Born and raised in Macon, GA, he is an emcee and trumpet player that is redefining music with sophisticated soul. Legend has it he can freestyle about anything and has never been seen without a trumpet.

Antwan André Patton (born February 1, 1975), better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and record producer, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo Outkast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. Big Boi's solo debut Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chicco Dustywas released in July 2010 to respectable sales and critical acclaim. He released his second studio album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors in 2012. Recently, the seven-time GRAMMY® Award-winning, RIAA diamond-certified musician released his celebrated third full-length solo album, BOOMIVERSE

Billy Tuggle is a performance poet, slam champion, workshop facilitator, and event producer, having authored 2 poetry collections. He has been anthologized by publishers such as Write Bloody Publishing, Red Bench Press and Thoughtcrime Press.Billy was the 2015 National Head-to-Head Haiku Champion.

http://artistecard.com.BillyTuggle

www.facebook.com/backpackfiles

The Tony, Peabody & Emmy Award winning, 6-time HBO and Broadway Def Poet, Black Ice is credited with being a major pioneer of this millennium, turning spoken word into a mainstream art form.

With influences from Prince and J Dilla to Radiohead and fusion-era Miles Davis, St. Louis MC/producer/vocalist, Blvck Spvde clearly is not the pop-rap of fellow Gateway City natives. His musical palette -- warm and trippy synths, gritty hip-hop beats, and falsetto-infused, downtempo neo-soul -- is more in tune with the left-field soul/funk scenes of underground Detroit and L.A. Born and bred in St. Louis, MO, Spade (real name Veto Lamar Money) developed into a skilled artist performing as part of local indie rap/soul collective Soul Tyde, which originally formed in 1998. Their first, and only, album, Hip-Hop & Soulful...Ish, sold just a few hundred copies upon its release in 2003. While establishing himself as a solo artist, Spade was discovered by an A&R from the down-tempo/deep house-focused label Om Recordsat a performance in the California Bay Area in 2004. By 2007, the multi-threat soulster was signed to Om and issued the digital four-song EP, Loves Right Here, later that year. His debut full-length with the label, To Serve With Love, appeared shortly thereafter in 2008.

Brandon Douglas, a poet/emcee/actor/teaching artist/young black man native to Washington DC who uses his art selfishly and selflessly at the same time. Selfish because he uses art to vent and explore personal issues; Selfless because he uses art to share his knowledge and experience as a human being for others to learn from and use. He also believes that everyone has greatness to offer.

Chris James is a TED Talk speaker, national award winning poet and teaching artist who integrates art into education in public schools across America. He is an author of books Black Boys Bluesand The Odds Against USand playwright of DEAR BLACK PEOPLE.Chris is the founder of Arkansas' staple gallery and poetry venue, The House of Art. As a success coach, Chris focuses on helping creative entrepreneurs to make a living off of their craft.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Chris Wiley is a poet, writer, actor and Fine Arts graduate of The University of Cincinnati. He is also the creator and host of "Poetry In Motion-Dayton"

Corey Black is a St. Louis born poet, spoken word artist and host/creator of Poetic Justice Open Mic, St. Louis’ biggest open mic night. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran and advocate for veterans battling PTSD and depression. Black believes that the art of spoken word has healing principles. His anthology “Shoot The Messenger” was released November of 2014.

Steve “Cya” Carter is a master of the arts, may it be visual, or poetically. Since the age of 7, he has been crafting song lyrics, and still active at the now age of 36. As an Advertising and Design major, he also gives his creative input to painting, drawing, layout, as well as graphic design. Steve uses this ability, as a platform to create awareness, politically, or to solve or improve upon a current design need. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his friends who double as crew members of his car club, making music, gaming, or engulfing himself in sports. He is one half of the rap duo, Brown Audio along with Sean Ace.

Born in South-side Chicago, Cyrus Speaks is a traveling spoken word artist and minister, now based out of Atlanta, GA. Most notably, he's been a feature artist for P4CM (Passion for Christ Movement). While serving as a United States Marine, he noticed that mental and emotional oppression are just as devastating to people's lives as any war. This led him to educate and console through his spiritually charged poems.Whether he's performing at colleges, churches, corporate parties, or small clubs; Cyrus hopes that the words he speak don't just impress your ears, but that God uses them to impact your life.

Daunte Henderson is an author, educator and founder of the MADEMAN Foundation. Brother Henderson is passionate about changing the narrative of Black men through mentorship, writing and exposure. Follow his IG “@brotherhenderson” and Facebook fan page for more updates.

A true renaissance man, Dometi Pongo {pronounced doe-muh-TEE} is the host of the new MTV series True Life Crime and MTV News’ “Need to Know,” a Twitter and Instagram TV show providing context to the day’s pop culture news. Dometi previously served as reporter and fill-in host for Chicago’s WGN Radio and voiceover talent for WGN-TV. The award-winning journalist also works as a speaker and multimedia consultant through his firm, Pongo Strategy Group, which helps organizations tell better stories through multimedia. In partnership with Sankofa Ventures, Dometi’s annual group tours of Ghana, West Africa to give an opportunity for the African diaspora to explore their ancestral lineage.

Drew Anderson (aka "Droopy the Broke Baller") is a veteran educator turned teaching artist and motivational speaker from New Orleans, LA. He is the founder and co-host of Spit Dat(the longest-running open mic in Washington DC) and creator of C.R.U.N.K.Academy which focuses on making learning fun for students through parody, poetry, hip hop, theatre and comedy. You can find out more about him at www.brokeballer.com.

Dion Jones, known creatively as Dion Jetson, is a writer, creator and overall creative from Chicago.  Dion is the artist behind internationally released music projects: The Ear & The Heartand Long Boysthat can be found on Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal.  He is also the host of The No 4Play Showpodcast which can be found on iTunes and iHeartRadio.  Dion is an avid champion of black women, black love and all things black.|DionJetson.com| TheNo4PlayShow.co

Drunken Monkeee has been considered to be one of Chicago's most influential performance artists to come out of the Midwest because of his live shows, high energy personality, and out-of-the-box approach to art.

Bro. Tim “El Thought” Anderson-El is a father, community leader, poet, and spiritual advocate for youth in the St. Louis community. He has been married to his wife for six years and is a father to four children; this adds to his involvement in his community because he knows he is helping to shape the future for his children and grandchildren.

Frankiem Nicoli is Wisconsin born and Chicago raised; he is a ‘from the heart writer’. Each performance will make you feel. Cultured by the likes of Real T@lk and K Love, Frankiem is one of the most vulnerable and skilled writers to be bred from Chicago.

George Jackson III, also known by his production alias Authentik Made, is a well traveled artist who has shared stages with such musical greats at Quincy Jones, MC Lyte, Leon Timbo, Jacob Collier, Eric Benet, Lee England Jr, Melanie Fiona, Robin Thicke and others. This Chicago bred artist plays 8 instruments and counting and is very versatile in his music style it ranges from Hip Hop, Soul, Country, R and B and Gospel/ Contemporary. He is a husband and father of three.

Harold Branch III who is affectionately known as “HB” is a Phoenix based speaker, trainer, entrepreneur and poet. HB hails from the Westside of Chicago, an area hard pressed and recognized as being one of the toughest and most oppressed neighborhoods in America. Despite being separated from his father when he was one and losing his mother to suicide at the age of two, he defied all odds and went on to become an applauded poet, speaker, and business trainer.

Primarily a poet, Harold Green III is an ever-evolving artist with a skill set that defies categorization. His vibrant storytelling and passionate lyrical delivery continue to captivate audiences both domestically and internationally. With repeat sell-out shows at some of Chicago’s largest and most popular music venues, Green is not only a highly sought-after talent, but an equally respected band leader and event producer.He is the architect and curator of “Flowers for the Living”, an annual collaboration project with some of the best singers and musicians Chicago has to offer. He is a proud son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach and mentor. He is a visionary, leader, motivator and an overwhelmingly undeniable human being.

Native Chicagoan, J. Ivy is an award-winning performance poet, artist, author, song writer, actor, voice-over talent and motivational speaker. His work has earned him a Peabody, Clio, Telly, and NAACP Image Awardand he is widely known for being the poet featured on Kanye West’s Grammy-winning album “The College Dropout,” on the classic song “Never Let Me Down,” along with hip-hop icon Jay-Z. Due to his patented breath taking performances, J. Ivy was featured on three seasons of HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, two full seasons of NBC’s Sunday Night Football andhe is currently touring with his latest book/audio book and album, "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain".

J.C. Cowan born in Fort Polk, Louisiana as an army brat. Spending the majority of his childhood in Germany he was exposed to Hip Hop in 1979 and so began his love for writing. Entering the military right out of High School he continued to travel the world. After serving 8 years in the Army and serving in the Gulf War he settled in Charlotte N.C. in 2000 and began to spearhead the Spoken Word movement that still thrives till this day.

Jason Williams is a 39 year old poet, author, and public speaker that has graced stages, and open mics world wide. He Discovered a passion for writing at a very early age and is still one of the most dynamic poets of this generation. His unique style of creative passion combined with an unmatched delivery has separated him from the pack, and continues to open doors for his creative genius.

John the Author is a rapper, entrepreneur & activist who is pioneering a new way of doing things on the Chicago music scene. John once stated that the best kind of music an artist can create encourages a listener to think critically and live progressively. His ideas have proven to resonate as John is the founder of BLACKENOMICS, a quickly evolving movement & t-shirt line that brings awareness to the need for financial literacy education & black wealth building in underprivileged communities through the practice of group economics.

Jus Cuz, your favorite producer's favorite producer. Overhyped and underrated, Jus Cuz's emotional production style makes for a unique listening experience. The Chicago South-sider has a very rare ability to combine multiple genres to fit into any pocket for any artist while still able to maintain a signature sound. A rare occurrence amongst many producers in this current era. Jus Cuz's self branded, Band New Old School style is definitely one worth getting familiar with, as he grows & matures as a phenomenal producer as well as an artist.

Just Flo is a Motivational, Hip Hop Artist & Speed Painter from the South Side of Chicago. & from the very start, My Love & Heart, has belonged to Music and Art!

He specializes in: Poetry, Rap, Singing, Live Artistry, Comedy Improv, Illustration, Murals & Tattoos. His goal is to Create Harmony & Cultivate Healing within my Family, Community & throughout the World!

Educator, poet, motivational speaker and activist, Karega Bailey, a native of Sacramento, California is a successful product of collective contributions from the Sacramento community. Mentoring services of The 100 Black Men of America, Inc (Sacramento) and the family services offered by the Center for Fathers & Families provided Mr. Bailey with the support and direction needed to succeed amidst the socioeconomic stressors. After becoming a proud alumni of Hampton University, he acquired over nine years in Special Education and School Leadership, fostering resiliency and hope through Spoken Word and Hip Hop. Mr. Bailey is currently Dean of Culture and Climateat Roses in Concrete Community Schoolin Oakland, CA.

King Gandy El is a media pluralist with vision and compassion.

Keith Rodgers was born and raised in Lake Hamilton, Florida (Polk County). U.S. Veteran, entrepreneur, poet, author, campaign manager, promoter, comedian, host, activist, creative writing workshop facilitator, consultant and father of two daughters! The Founder and CEO of Black On Black Rhymeand The BackTalk Poetry Troupe, host of Tallahassee Nights Live!, creator of "staccatos" which are short poems, sayings or words that have a total different meaning once the statement is read after saying the word! One of the wittiest people you will ever meet!

Kwabena Antoine Nixonis an author, poet and speaker, born on the west side of Chicago. He is the founder of Be Inspired Works.

kwabena foli was born in Belgium and raised in the Southside of Chicago. He is a former Chicago poetry slam champion and national poetry slam finalist. Transitioning from the stage to the page in 2015, kwabena began sharing his writings via social media --many of which becoming viral with over 14 million shares since. His content has appeared on cultural platforms such as All Def Poetry, forharriet, MadameNoire, blkcreatives and others. His work is also anthologized in Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks from Curbside press. In June of 2017, kwabena foli published learning rhythm via Flowered Concrete pressthat quickly reached the top 100 of poetry from an African American writer on Amazon, and the top 10 of African art on Kindle.

PVTSTCK emcee/producer, L.A. VanGogh is a multitalented man from Dolton, IL. His musical style is thought provoking and playful. The content is earnest, dealing with personal, in-depth subject matters with a soulful and meditative groove.

LaRoyce Hawkins is an actor, stand-up comic, spoken wordartist, and musician. Hawkins stars on NBC's police drama Chicago P.D., where he portrays Officer Kevin Atwater. The show is in its fifth season. Hawkins also has a minor recurring role on the crossover show Chicago Fire.

Lee England Jr. is an American violinist, vocalist, arranger, and composer from Waukegan, IL. He gained recognition in 2009 after his audition for MTV's Making The Band Making The Band impressed executive producer Sean Combs and landed him a spot on the show as the only "non-traditional" instrumentalist. Since then, he has been featured on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Mo'Nique Show, and has shared the stage with musicians like Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z.In 2010, England performed at a private party for Michael Jordan. Jordan was so impressed with England's abilities that he offered him an endorsement deal with his shoe brand. Most recently, England performed at the Geffen Playhouse and attracted the attention of legendary music producer, Quincy Jones; he was subsequently signed to Jones's management company: Quincy Jones Productions.

Born and raised on the Southeast side of Chicago, Limitless Soundz offers what he calls “Pan-African Trap Solution Rap” music where he fuses the ideologies of Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Huey P. Newton with trap music. With the common themes of self sufficiency, healthy eating and African Spirituality, Limitless strives to provide sound solutions to the problems faced by African descendants on a global scale. With music being his focal point, Limitless also shares his creativity as a songwriter, poet, host, motivational speaker, Rap Writing Instructor and a Columbia College graduate with a BA in Journalism

Louis Conphliction isn't an entertainer, he is Entertainment!
Whether ravaging sixteen bars, serenading love interests or igniting our innermost passions with poetry, you are bound to request Louis Conphliction's presence inside of your hearts, minds and homes. A native of St. Louis, he is heavily influenced by the culture of his city. Noticing a need for upliftment, he decides to use his talents to create a self-love and self-awareness centered movement, utilizing mentorship, eclectic beats and empowering words.

Malari Khan SankofaWaters AKA Ugly Boy Modelingis a writer, rapper, producer, director,and graphic designer with works focusing on race, politics, love, and ratchetness . He has featured on shows such as BET's Lyric Cafe and opened up for artists such as Raekwon, The Last Poets, and Lil B.

Though globally known for his television work, Malcolm-Jamal Warner is equally at home in the world of spoken word. While a heavy presence in the resurgence of the Los Angeles underground spoken word movement in the mid-90's,Warner formed Miles Long, a jazz funk spoken word band where he also plays electric and upright bass. He has performed on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Lyric Cafe, Verses and Flow, and various jazz festivals. In 2015, Warner, along with Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B performance for their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Jesus Children," a tribute to the children if Sandy Hook Elementary. All 3 of Warner's Cds can be found at malcolmjamalwarner.com.

Matt Simpson is a father, Community Development Strategist and Entrepreneur based in Rockford, Illinois. He is co-founder of the Wabongo Leadership Council, and managing partner of Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC. In addition to his entrepreneurial and community development efforts Simpson aspires to be a true Man of Culture, in the spirit of the great Aime Cesaire.

Mel Roberson (MelRob) is an accomplished actor, spoken word artist, Amazon best selling author and speaker, and successful entrepreneur. His entertainment style is the perfect balance of street sense and book smarts. Check him out at www.melroberson.com

Born & raised on Westside of Chicago Illinois, Moementum witnessed a lot of tragedy which inspired him to write. I've been writing for over 30 plus years & performing 16 years. I'm the Co-Founder of a poetry organization called 3BM (2003). I love God, I love LOVE & I love to speak life. I want to paint the world beautiful with words.

Born in Takoma Park, MDby the way of Jamaica, Orville the Poet is known for his charismatic, confident, goal driven mindset, and his passion for poetry. Using his pen to get him through life experiences, Orville uses his passion for the arts to raise awareness, speak vivid truths, and uplift his community.

Pages Matam is an international artist & educator from Cameroon, Central Africa, currently residing in Washington D.C. He is the Director of Poetry Eventsfor Busboys and Poets, a Callaloo Fellow, and Write Bloodypublished author of The Heart of a Comet (2014), which won Best New Book 2014 from Beltway Poetry Quaterlyand was a Teaching for Change bestseller. A national and 2x regional poetry slam champion, he has passions in the field of education, violence and abuse trauma work, immigration reform and youth advocacy

Phenom, (born Teh’Ray Hale), has dedicated his life to empowering the People through his music. In 1995, First Lady, Michelle Obama chose him for the Public Allies program where he had the opportunity to work with and teach youth about violence prevention strategies. As the Founder and CEO of the award-winning P.O.E.T.R.E.E. Chicago(People’s Organized Entertainment Teaching Righteous Education Everywhere), Phenom was influenced to start L.Y.R.I.C, (Let Your Rhymes Inspire Creativity) with co-founder and national poet K-Love in 2009. Today, the L.Y.R.I.C program serves Chicago-based high school students and offers them opportunity to write and perform poetry as a non-violent means to stopping the violence in their neighborhoods. As a main member of Hip-Hop Detoxx, in the fall of 2017 Phenom traveled to Iraq as a cultural/ spiritual ambassador for Hip-Hop culture. His goal is to inspire change in the urban neighborhoods of Chi-town and abroad

A stalwart and revered figure from the Chicago scene, Pugs Atomz is a trailblazer who laid the ground work for many artists in the area today. From mural art, music, video, radio (CTA Radio) to clothing design (Iridium Clothing Co/ USUWE) he pushes the culture. His most recent album is "Highly Irregular" with producer/Dj Mulatto Patriot

Native to Chicago, Que Billah is an entertainer artist, director, donut expert, baker and designer.

Ques is a Chicago spoken word artist. Having forged a powerful reputation amongst his hometown, his work is the voice of the youth as he consistently writes on the issues that impact African-Americans.  Spiritually writing like an old griot, Ques has a powerful voice and an intense stage presence that reverently honors the luminaries of the past with a fresh flavor all his own. His motive is to plant a seed of change and to remind audiences everywhere to NEVER FORGET.

Rage Almighty is spoken word artist/writer from Dallas TX by way of Boston MA. Some of his accolades I include 2017 Bayou City Champion, 2016 2nd place Individual World Poetry Slam winner & the United States representative in the World Poetry Cup Slam in Paris France.

“Rashad tha Poet” Rayford is an activist, actor and award winning poet/MC. He is poet mentor with Southern Word a non profit in Nashville that reaches over 10,000 young people a year in 7 counties. Rashad is a soul-hop artist specializing in jazz fused hip-hop. | rashadthapoet.com

Hailing from Rock Island, IL as featured in the Quad City Times. John 'Rewind' Gunter, Jr is a Quad City based spoken word, writer and hip-hop lyricist. A graduate of Illinois State University and Georgia State University he has generated a substantial following in the both the spoken word and hip-hop scene. He boasts a keen sense of realism paired with a catchy and melodic flow. Rewind is a loving father and husband and humanitarian, creator of the "Ay, Pops" blog and founder of Fresh Epidemics Entertainment. Rewind’s focus is to bring FRESH thoughts with realistic images and he challenges others to lift as they climb."

Rodzilla is an internationally known spoken word impresario, carrying the torch lit long ago by ancestor griots and members of the Black Arts Movement. Heralded as the Blackademic this scholar represents the hip hop intellectual at its finest with his brand of edutainment... He has performed in every noteworthy poetry den in the US representing a special brand of lyricism called that NorthernCaliformulaSacramentoIzm,

Rodzilla is one of the most unique poetic savants around.

With his hometown of Chicago on his back and the sounds of soul in his roots, Brooklyn-based emcee R.O.E. blends an urban vibe with poetic lyricism and music that hits straight to the heart that will attract anyone with an affection for alternative hip hop.

Sam Trump is a multi-instrumentalist/singer/ song-writer from Houston, TX, and has been a student of music from first picking up the trumpet at age 7. Since moving to Chicago in 2009 to obtain his fine arts degree in music, he has become heavily involved in Chicago's live music scene as a band leader, sideman, and show curator

Chicago-based artist Sean Ace’s 2012 single “Ms. Natural,” celebrated and championed women of natural hair from all over the globe - and was the first of its kind. The creator of "champion music,” this hard-hitting hip-hop artist uses his witty and vivid lyrics over soulful beats for his music’s backdrop, recalling stories of growing up on Chicago's south side along with empowering anthems for the people.

Named one of the "Top 6 STL Artists to Watch in 2016" by St. Louis Post Dispatch, Steve N. Clair is a hip hop recording artist half of the hip-hop duo, The Domino Effect along with being a professional Filmmaker & Photographer. He is also the founder/owner of independent film production company, Flyy Awayy Films.

Chicago native T. L. Williams is an iconic & award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, and actor. He is also the founder of Symphony Of Change, an arts organization dedicated to helping school band programs in America.

Tebe Zalango is a violinist, composer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and international spoken word artist. Tebe has traveled across the nation and to multiple countries with a message of awareness and love.

Find out more at www.zalangomusic.com.

The Boy Illinois hails from the southeast side of Chicago. He is an indie artist who just recently did a partnership with Priority Records.

Antonio "Toni Mono" Monix, is a Hip Hop spoken word artist from the south side of Chicago, IL. Mono's interest in poetry began nearly as long as he could write sentences, winning his first poetry contest in his 2nd grade classroom. At 19, Mono ran into an organization named L.Y.R.I.C. Mentoring that he joined and soon became a youth leader in the community; that heightened his passion for mentoring and provided a strong community artist platform for him. Currently Toni Mono is a teaching-artist with several organizations and is developing a word movement titled "Monoism" that delves into 'word understandings'.

Dayton native, Tripp Fontane, has been slowly but surely creating a name for himself. Coming from humble beginnings, Tripp uses his life experience to paint a very unique picture of his atmosphere and his upbringing. Making tactful use of transparency and vulnerability, no topic is off limits. His gritty content and smooth delivery have both made him a fan favorite. From community work to event coordinating, Tripp Fontane relentlessly uses his gifts to benefit the minds and everyday lives of the people. You're always in for a one of a kind poetry experience!

Born in Saginaw, MI, writer/spoken word artist Truth B. Told (Christopher Owens) has written for and appeared in a commercial for BET’s “Black History Moment” vignettes and has opened for acts such as Mint Condition and Floetry. Truth B. Told received 2012 Spoken Word Album of the Year and 2013 Spoken Word Artist of the Year honors at the National Poetry Awards. Currently, he is completing his Masters in Creative Writing from Wilkes University with concentrations in poetry and fiction, as well as completing his first novel.

Tyson Langhorn was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. His love for humanity was instilled in him since birth, being the youngest of four boys with a younger sister soon thereafter. He took a liking to exploring his lyrical talents early in life, but took a much more serious approach while furthering his education at Alcorn State University. Tyson is currently the father of three adorable girls and aspires to expand his artistic views thru a variety of entertainment platforms

Yaw Agyeman is an interdisciplinary performing artist born in Chicago. He works primarily as a musician/sound designer but also has an extensive theater background (actor) and makes photos. Yaw’s work addresses language as cultural currency. His work also uses space as a way to share music, community, and culture.

Authentic hip-hop, diverse style, unique delivery, and creative word play all describe recording artist, Yusha Assad. Born Joshua Blackwell, Yusha is a North Carolina native by way of Washington, DC, striving toward a future of success. Humbled by his roots, Yusha connects to the soul of his listeners while providing reflections of how one should follow their heart's and struggle/strive to reach their dreams

Born in Leesville, Louisiana to a humble and disciplined family. Zeaux Indigeaux’s greatest influences on his writing and who he is as a person are his heritage, southern upbringing, love for education, desire for social justice, hip hop, and comic books.

“Poetry has helped bring me through depression and anxiety since the first time I picked up a pen in 3rd grade. I can only hope to inspire others to find their passion as I indulge in my own.”

13 of Nazareth is a poet from Virginia living with epilepsy. a dry sense of humor and peace of mind over everything. social media: @13ofnazareth | web adress: 13ofnazareth.net