From J.S. Bach to Biggie Smalls, Shostakovich to Nas, and the odd Tchaikovsky or Imagine Dragons, the classical-meets-hip-hop duo Black Violin continually challenges stereotypes with their music. Composed of classically trained violist and violinist Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus, Black Violin combines musical ingredients of jazz, hip-hop, funk, and classical to create a distinctive sound that is described in their press as “classical boom.”

Black Violin's Wil and Kev also connect with more than 100,000 students throughout the year as TurnAround Artists, part of a national education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They are championing accessible music education through student engagement and public performances, with the aim of inspiring kids to pursue careers in the arts. 

Black Violin plays music from their latest, Take The Stairs, in-studio.

Watch the session here: