The evolution of ‘Black Violin’

(News4usonline) – The jazz and hip-hop sound of Black Violin began on a whim to be different. 

“In the beginning, we were trying to figure out what people wanted to hear,” quipped Kev Marcus, one-half of Black Violin. 

Marcus and Will Baptiste decided they didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing. Marcus and Baptiste went against the odds by stretching themselves musically. 

As a result of thinking and acting outside of the box, Black Violin was born. Today, Black Violin is considered to be a musical reckoning, not just a group, thanks to the masterful blend of classical and jazz music with a vibrant hip-sound that gives Black Violin an indistinguishable sound.     

“So, it started out with kids that were brave enough to say this thing that has been done this way for so long, you know? I mean this thing that you love, let’s just go out and just do it,” Baptiste said in an interview with News4usonline. “Let’s just, regardless of what people think, regardless if this hasn’t really been done, we haven’t seen it before. I mean, so I think it started with that.”

Who is Black Violin? What are they about? These just might be questions about the dynamic duo that one might have if you have never seen or heard the classical-infused hip-hop sound that Marcus and Baptiste hits you with.

Once you get a taste of the sound that Black Violin, who brings their collaborative musicianship to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on April 13, hooks you with, the superlatives are bound to come dripping out of your mouth like a running faucet. 

Brilliant. Special. Unique. Innovative. 

“The appeal of Black Violin, I think the appeal is, and in a lot of ways, the string instrument,” Baptiste remarked.

The appeal of Black Violin doesn’t stop at the strings, however. 

“So, the idea of, here’s these two black guys. First of all, these two big black dudes coming up on stage, not only playing this instrument well, but they’re not doing it with how you would typically hear it,” Baptiste went on to say. “But also, too, it’s really weird to see a string musician just freestyle and just play whatever they feel.”

The freestyling is partly what makes Black Violin a must-see act. Their music speaks to the times and reflects as much in the songs like “Joy,” “Beautiful Day,” and “Stereotypes.”

The group’s latest album, “Full Circle” has a few “got to have” singles, including the scorching “Beautiful Day,” collaborated with noted songstress Lalah Hathaway. 

“Oh, man, she killed that song,” Baptiste said. “First of all, I’m a huge fan of her dad, right? So I kind of, I was introduced to her dad probably late. I probably started listening to Donnie Hathaway probably in high school, I think.”

Baptiste concedes that the younger Hathaway is just a follow-up, star-crossed pathway to her father when it comes to singing. 

“The thing is, her tone is very much, is very similar to her dad, like just that warm, thick tone that I love,” he said. “And she’s just amazing, man.” 

There must be in the water or something, because whatever Hathaway has in that spectacular voice of hers, it has an appeal to Marcus, too. It is one of his favorite tunes as well. 

“Beautiful Day is one of my favorites,” Marcus said. 

Lala Hathaway’s smashing vocals aside, “Full Circle” kicks off with the sounds, which Black Violin has been known for. “The Illest” jumpstart the album right from the beginning with its driving force of hip-hop with a dash of classical music infused into it. 

It’s a pretty cool song. And it is certainly very hip. The video also reflects the attitude of men. In a chest-thumping showdown akin to a western-type confrontation, both Marcus and Baptiste go toe-to-toe on an unhinged and unapologetic flippancy as they try to outdo one another. 

If you look closely enough, peels back a layer of the persona of both men. Marcus brings the bravado. Baptise does his talking with the instrument he uses. 

“I’m super-talkative. He doesn’t say much. I’m more in your face. I want to dictate my energy,” Marcus said. “I’m here to destroy you.” 

 If the adage of opposites attract is true, it has worked well for both Marcus and Baptiste. They’ve known each other for more than three decades and have released six albums together with the addition of a mixed-tape in their backpocket as well. 

Marcus said the key to the group’s longevity is simple.  

“It’s a credit to really understanding each other,” Marcus said. “We’re really committed.” 

This writer first saw Black Violin when Marcus and Baptiste played the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in Anaheim, California. And since I was not familiar with their music, I was intrigued to listen. 

I was blown away by the well-executed musicianship, the incredible blending sounds of jazz, classical and hip-hop that encompasses their music. 

First of all, seeing two Black men rocking the violin and viola collaboratively, was strange for me. I guess I was happy I was able to crawl out from the insulated rock I had come from to hear these two men showcase their repertoire of songs they performed for the audience. 

Immediately, I was hooked. Their performance was riveting and left me wanting more. Here it is seven years after that 2019 performance, and Marcus and Baptiste are still going strong as Black Violin.