Breaking Boundaries with Strings: A Chronicle Exclusive with Black Violin
- Yanice Y. Jackson
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
By Yanice Y. Jackson | The Chronicle News – April 2025
Courtesy Photo-(R to L) Kev Marcus (violin) and Wil Baptiste (viola), the powerhouse duo behind Black Violin, fuse classical strings with hip-hop swagger—reshaping sound, smashing stereotypes, and inspiring audiences worldwide. Catch Black Violin live in concert at the Wharton Center on Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30 PM. Experience their genre-defying sound and high-energy performance that fuses classical, hip-hop, soul, and funk into an unforgettable musical journey. For tickets and show details, visit: www.whartoncenter.com
When Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus take the stage as Black Violin, they do more than make music—they redefine what is possible when classical strings meet hip-hop beats. Their electrifying performances, social impact, and commitment to youth empowerment have captivated audiences around the globe. On April 10, 2025, I had the honor of sitting down with Wil Baptiste via Zoom for an exclusive conversation on life, legacy, and liberation through music.
This isn't the first time The Chronicle News featured Black Violin. Over the years, we’ve followed their journey closely—from their early shows at the Wharton Center to their evolution into Grammy-nominated artists and national arts educators. But this conversation... it hit different.
"We didn’t fit in either world. We just kept showing up with a violin and something to say," Wil shared, reflecting on their path. "Eventually, we stopped asking for permission to belong. We built our own lane."
Strings, Beats, and Social Change
Since 2004, Black Violin has challenged stereotypes and opened ears. Wil and Kev fuse classical music training with the sounds of their South Florida upbringing—blending Bach and Biggie, Mozart and Kendrick. Their sound is bold, their purpose clear: to uplift, educate, and break barriers.
Their nonprofit arm, the Black Violin Foundation, offers scholarships and mentorship to youth musicians of color. It’s about more than music—it is about identity, representation, and possibility.
"We always say, representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about access. We’re not just showing up so kids can see us. We’re showing up to give them the tools, too."
A Few Highlights from Our Conversation
Yanice Jackson: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I know you don’t have much time, but I’ve prepared some good questions. Hopefully, they’re a little different and not the run-of-the-mill kind, because I know you have so many interviews to do. But before we get started, my name is Yanice, and I’m with The Chronicle News. We’ve been around for 39 years in the greater Lansing area, and we’ve covered your performance before. It was wonderful. So, thanks again for coming out to Michigan and to the Wharton Center.
I’m sure you have a lot going on with the current tour. I do love your show and would like to ask you about the venues. You’ve played all over the world. How does playing in Michigan—and specifically Lansing at the Wharton Center—compare to performing in other venues?
Wil Baptiste: I think it’s just a different energy, you know? It’s funny—every place, even within the U.S., has its own energy. We did a show in Memphis the other day. That was like our 11th show there. We’ve got a lot of history in Memphis. They even gave us a star on the Walk of Stars around the building. That kind of vibe and energy is different.
Even when you go overseas, it’s a whole different vibe. The people are different. New York is different. I’m in upstate New York right now—also a whole different vibe. Going to the South, like Atlanta, is different. The people are different. I enjoy going to all these different cities and towns. Right now, we’re in Tarrytown, New York. We’re everywhere.
Yanice Jackson: I see. And I know that’s got to be tough at times—doing one-night shows and then heading to the next venue. You said there's a different vibe in each place. Is that kind of what keeps you going, experiencing the different energies?
Wil Baptiste: That’s part of it—experiencing the people, the energy. But I think what we do is impactful. It’s great work. That’s the majority of what keeps me going.
It’s not just being on stage and doing something I genuinely love, though that’s part of it. But it’s also connecting with people and seeing the impact of what we do. Honestly, it’s not hard work for me. I’m on stage doing something that I love and seeing the inspiration that comes from that—it’s one of the main things that keeps me going.
On Representation and Inspiring the Next Generation
Yanice Jackson: You’ve spoken a lot about representation and breaking stereotypes. How do you see your work continuing to inspire the next generation of young Black creatives?
Wil Baptiste: Yes, representation is crucial. We didn’t have much of that growing up. We just had a great teacher who believed in us and motivated us. And we never had a reason to stop. We just kept going.
Now we are the inspiration to young men and women of color, and that is amazing to see. We understand the power and the influence we have, and we do not take it for granted.
On top of that, we have our own foundation—The Black Violin Foundation—which allows us to do even more. We offer grants through the foundation. One of the grants is called the James Miles Innovation Grant, named after our high school teacher.
What we try to do with the foundation is bridge the gap. In our lives, some people were instrumental in getting us to the next level—whether it was funding a music camp, getting a new instrument, or whatever we needed. We had people who stepped in, and now we’re trying to be that for others. The foundation helps kids continue to dream—to keep that fire alive. We don’t want their dreams to be taken away because of something they can’t control.
Yanice Jackson: I commend you for the work you’re doing in the community and through the arts, especially with an instrument like the viola. I know it takes a lot of practice and dedication, and I admire what you’re doing. I grew up playing cello and played through college, so I understand how few people of color are in these spaces. It’s refreshing to see Black men doing this and inspiring others.
Crafting Their Sound
Yanice Jackson: How do you decide which genres or themes to blend into your performances?
Wil Baptiste: Whatever feels good. We have a new album coming out on May 2nd. It’s called Full Service, and it marks 20 years of Black Violin. Our albums are always a mix. We’ll have something hype, then something soulful. Our music goes in different directions. But the common denominator is: does it feel good?
If it’s hip-hop, that’s because we grew up in the hip-hop era. So, what we do is classical meets hip-hop. But with this new album, some tracks make you ask, “What is this?” We like that. We like to push boundaries.
If Black Violin Wrote a Score for Today
Yanice Jackson: Last question, because I know you’ve got to go—but if Black Violin had to write a musical score for the times we’re living in, what would it sound like? And what message would it carry?
Wil Baptiste: That’s a good one. I think sonically, it would challenge your ears. That’s what we do—we challenge people’s expectations. People see a Black guy with a violin and think, “What’s this? I thought this instrument was for something else.” We want to flip that expectation.
So musically, it would do the same—challenge people to rethink what they believe. And the message? Don’t judge a book by its cover. Keep an open mind and an open spirit. Come along for the journey.
Yanice Jackson: And you do a lot of impromptu stuff at your shows, right? You have set pieces, but some are unique to each city?
Wil Baptiste: Yep! That’s the best part of the show. We freestyle based on the energy of the crowd. It’s different every time.
Yanice Jackson: Okay, well, that’s our time. I’ve dropped our info in the chat, and I can follow up via email as well. I hope you enjoy the article. I’d love to interview you again for our radio podcast.
Wil Baptiste: Absolutely. Definitely.
Yanice Jackson: Take care, get some rest, and stay warm up there. See you at the show!
What’s Next for Black Violin?
Their current tour is a symphony of energy, poetry, and movement, bringing communities together in rhythm and resonance. With their latest album Take the Stairs, and continued outreach through school residencies and youth workshops, Black Violin is more than a musical act—they’re a movement. Catch Black Violin live in concert at the Wharton Center on Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30 PM. Experience their genre-defying sound and high-energy performance that fuses classical, hip-hop, soul, and funk into an unforgettable musical journey. For tickets and show details, visit: www.whartoncenter.com
Stay connected with Black Violin: 🌐 www.blackviolin.net📸 Instagram: @blackviolinmusic🎻 Press Kit & Tour Info: blackviolin.net/presskit
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