By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
Imagine walking into a concert expecting violins and tuxedos—but instead, you get beats that shake the floor, violins that sing like electric guitars, and two Black men walk on stage—one holding a violin, the other a viola. The lights dim, the beat drops, and suddenly the room feels like a concert, a symphony, and a block party all rolled into one.
That’s Black Violin.
Comprised of Wilner Baptiste, who goes by Wil B, and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester, Black Violin are more than a music duo. They are a movement. A sound. A vibe. A challenge to everything you thought music could be. And when they take the stage, you don’t just hear them—you feel them.
“We want people to feel inspired when they see us,” Wil said. “We want you to leave one of our shows feeling like you just went to church, a family cookout, and the dopest concert of your life—all at once.”
From School Practice Rooms to World Tours
Wil B and Kev Marcus didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming classical musicians. In fact, they started playing music in school like many kids do. Kev picked up the violin in the fifth grade, and Wil joined the orchestra in high school when the only instrument left was the viola.
They met at Dillard High School of the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was there that a shared love for music—and hip-hop—turned them into instant friends. Soon, they were experimenting with sounds, blending the smooth strings of classical music with the raw rhythms of rap.
“People didn’t know what to make of it at first,” Wil said with a laugh. “But once they saw us perform, they got it.”
Both earned full music scholarships to college—Kev at Florida International University and Wil at Florida State University. Though classically trained, they wanted more. More rhythm. More culture. More connection.
Starting Small, Dreaming Big
In college, the two began performing hip-hop covers on string instruments in small clubs. People didn’t expect to hear Kanye or Nas on violin—but once they did, they were hooked.
“We just wanted to play music we loved,” Wil said. “But when we saw how people responded to us, we realized we had something special.”
They submitted a tape to Showtime at the Apollo—and two years later, they were invited to perform. Not only did they win, they kept winning.
“That moment was a turning point,” Wil shared. “We went from being something cool in a club to being something people across the country wanted to see.”
Soon, big names took notice. Alicia Keys’ team invited them to perform with her at the Billboard Awards. They toured with Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, opened for the Wu-Tang Clan, and composed music for FOX’s Pitch.
Built from the Ground Up
Before they had a record deal, Black Violin were touring like crazy—up to 200 shows a year—hitting schools, theaters, and music festivals. They released their first two albums independently, pouring in their own money and energy.
Their name, Black Violin, is a tribute to jazz violinist Stuff Smith, whose 1965 album of the same name inspired them. Choosing that name was a way to honor the legacy of Black musicians who broke barriers before them.
“We didn’t always have a big stage or a fancy setup,” Wil said. “But we had heart. We believed in what we were doing.”
That belief paid off. In 2015, they released Stereotypes, a powerful album that tackled cultural assumptions and defied musical boundaries. It resonated deeply, not just with fans, but with anyone who ever felt boxed in.
Music With a Mission
Black Violin aren’t just about playing music that sounds good. They’re about doing good, too.
Through the Black Violin Foundation, they support young musicians—especially those from underserved communities—through scholarships, grants, and access to resources.
“We want to be the people we didn’t see growing up,” Wil said. “We want kids to know there’s a place for them in classical music, in hip-hop, in whatever they love.”
That’s the heartbeat of everything they do—giving people, especially young people, the permission to be fully themselves.
“You can be into Mozart and into Lil Wayne,” Wil said. “You can rock Jordans and play Bach. You don’t have to choose.”
A Sound That Bends Rules—and Minds
Classical music, with its structure and precision, might seem rigid—but for Kev and Wil, it’s a foundation, not a limitation.
Once they leaned into their sound—and found ways to bend it, blend it, and make it move—their classical musicianship became a powerful tool for storytelling and change.
“If music is a language, we speak in a voice that everyone understands,” Wil explained.
Their songs fuse Bach with Biggie, Beethoven with basslines. At any given show, you might hear snippets of Kendrick Lamar riding over string arrangements worthy of a concert hall.
And at those shows? You’ll see grandparents dancing next to teenagers, toddlers bouncing in their parents’ arms, teachers nodding to the rhythm, and artists shedding quiet tears.
“It’s not just about the music,” Wil said. “It’s about connection. When you make it your own, you create something brand new. That’s where the magic happens.”
Representation That Resonates
Wil and Kev didn’t see many Black string players onstage when they were growing up—and that absence fueled their mission.
“Representation isn’t just important. It’s powerful,” Wil said. “When a little Black boy or girl sees us on stage, in hoodies, rocking violins—they realize they can be both cool and creative.”
Black Violin don’t conform to tradition—they flip it on its head. They perform in sneakers. They play with swag. But they never stop respecting the music. It’s not rebellion—it’s evolution.
“To us, music is a way to open doors and open minds,” Wil said. “When people see us on stage, we’re not just changing how they see the violin. We’re changing how they see themselves.”
The Power of the Live Show
Black Violin’s concerts are full-body experiences. From the moment the lights go down, the audience is taken on a journey—hip-hop drums pulse through the floor, violins soar through the air, and messages of hope echo throughout the room.
They’re joined onstage by DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes, who help bring the massive sound to life.
“We like to say our concerts are for everyone,” Wil said. “You’ll see babies, grandparents, hip-hop heads, and teachers all dancing together.”
It’s this diversity of experience and emotion that makes every performance unforgettable.
“Our shows are like a mirror,” Wil said. “We want the next generation—especially Black and brown kids—to look at us and see possibilities. We want them to say, ‘I can do that. I can be that.’”
Looking Ahead
Even after two decades of touring, performing and creating, Black Violin are still dreaming big.
Their latest tour, The Experience Tour, is just that: an immersive, visual, musical celebration of culture, resilience, and joy.
They also co-founded a production company, DKNEX (short for Di-Versatile Music), where they help other artists find their voice and bring bold new sounds to life.
With more albums, collaborations, and projects on the way, Black Violin continues to stretch beyond limits—showing that music, like identity, can never be confined.
Why You Should See Them Live
If you’ve never been to a Black Violin concert, let this be your sign.
It’s not just a concert—it’s a celebration. Of rhythm. Of resilience. Of roots and future. It’s the kind of show where you don’t just leave with a song stuck in your head—you leave with a spark in your heart.
Wil says it best:
“Come for the music. Stay for the message.”
And if you leave dancing, dreaming, or even crying a little? That’s exactly what they hoped for.
Grab your ticket, bring your people, and get ready to be changed by the power of Black Violin. GRAMMY-nominated duo Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour plays The Valentine on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm. Doors and theatre bars open at 6:30 pm.