Arie Cole is an open format DJ based in Pittsburgh, PA. His sets mix sounds designed to make you groove in one moment and rage in the next. More than a DJ, Arie Cole curates the vibe with sharp cuts and face scrunching mixes of songs you’re more than familiar with or hearing for the first time. He is currently a resident at Umami and Brillobox where he co-hosts Slappers N Bangers, a party that celebrates Hip Hop, Trap, and RnB. No Matter the party, Arie Cole is coming with new gems and familiar sounds. 

Dehkewlz is a Rap/Hip Hop artist born in Pittsburgh, PA but raised in Portsmouth, VA. He wasintroduced to the thought and practice of making music back in 2003 when he was only in the 3rd grade. Since that day, he was deeply in love with music but he didn’t begin to take it seriously until 2010 which so happened to be the year he moved back to the city of Pittsburgh to finishhis last 2 years of high school. Dehkewlz went from writing and rehearsing verses in his room everyday, to releasing music on DSP’s with little to no fans checking for it.

Due to his consistency and will to wake the people up and make’m listen, Dehkewlz fan base slowly began to grow year by year. Sadly, a major part in his long journey was the passing of his 2 year old son Kiyan Spears on October 28, 2017. Although the most heartbreaking and difficult time of his life, Dehkewlz did not let this tragedy defeat him. The words in his songs became more meaningful. He showed more of an open, vulnerable side. The music was no longer just for fun but for therapy. The hardships of life itself is what molded the artist, musician, lyricist, songwriter and legend you all know of today. FLY HIGH KIY!!! This is Dehkewlz. 

Adam “FRH” Golden is an accomplished multidisciplinary artist and creative entrepreneur. He connects with audiences through Hip Hop music, songwriting, spoken word, and podcasting. Golden utilizes these disciplines to champion and uplift the intersection of self-expression, systemic community empowerment, and entrepreneurship. His commitment to these values is reflected in his artistic and brand name, FRH (Fly Revolutionary Hustler). Musically, FRH Golden is regarded as a top tier lyricist who fearlessly enters the realms of deep introspection and sobering truths of what’s needed to improve the often-neglected communities he has called home. FRH Golden has released two full length albums: Fly Revolutionary Hustler, Vol 1 and Relationship Goals: The Best and Worst of Times. He has recorded and released 17 singles and has been featured on several songs with collaborators.  Golden is readying his third album for release. This album, tentatively titled “Made for the Soul”, is in collaboration with Pittsburgh (Highland Park) based producer Hussein “pvkvsv” Pwono. The project is filled with soul stirring content over rich and invigorating hip hop production that has heavy elements of Funk, Soul, and Jazz.  

Alyssa Scott is a small town girl with big dreams. As a first generation thai American, lys has projected many aspects of her persona over the years trying to fit in, and stand out. From high school class clown, to introverted 20 something battling with anxiety and depression after coming out as an LGBTQ member, Lys went on a winding journey of self discovery. Destiney aligned her with her band mates through a job working at a restaurant. Lys later lost that job due to Covid, but the uncertainty of isolation and all that it brought forced Lys to put pen to paper and begin writing. Those journal entries would later become the master works that created her debut album, squashed dreams and broken wings. Her fighter mentality shone through as her music evolved in the creation of her second album, PUNK KIDWELL, named in her late grandparents honor. Many singles and performances would follow where her band Lys Scott Deluxe began to play a vital role in her musical identity. Nowadays you can catch them all performing on stages like WPTS radio, Mr. Smalls, Deutschtown music festival, and the Government Center. (photo by erica caltury) 

Pittsburgh’s Favorite, Homewood native Ys1 Yusef Shelton Da First Hiphop Artist, entrepreneur and social activist who raps to ignite purpose.

In 1984, when Rahaman “Kil” Kilpatrick was 10 years old, he saw Run DMC performing “Rock Box” on American Bandstand & he knew he wanted to be part of the hip hop culture. While other kids were asking their parents for toys for Christmas, Kil begged his parents to buy him two turntables so he could be a DJ. 

In 1992 Kil began attending Morgan State University & saw an article in Vibe magazine that Bobbito wrote highlighting the dopest hip hop radio shows. When he saw Morgan’s show Strictly Hip Hop 88.9 was named he knew he had to become part of that show! For the next 7 years from 1994-2001 Kil hosted Strictly Hip Hop which is currently the longest running hip hop radio show on the east coast.

After graduating from Morgan State, Kil dedicated his life to helping teens in Washington DC by running numerous teen centers throughout the city. He’s gone on to become a music producer who has produced by groups such as MOP, Maffew Ragazino, RJ Payne and Pete Rock’s 1st artist signed his record label Amxxr. He also hosts by a weekly hip hop podcast Apt. 5B. 

Everett Saunders is a Father, composer, sound designer, audio engineer, performer, and organizer working in scoring and sound design for film, theater, and music production. Clients include Ron Howard’s Project Imagination, award-winning filmmaker and screen writer Damon Colquouhoun, Sony Music, and DJ Cassidy’s Paradise Royal, and projects with internationally renowned contemporary dance company Urban Bush Women. In addition to A Prophet’s Tale, his collaboration with Marjani Forté-Saunders, Saunders will be premiering three new scores and music projects in 2019-20 with choreographer Jaamil Kosoko, visual artist/director Edgar Arcenaux, and new music recording artist Myra Flynn.

Marjani Forté-Saunders is a choreographer, performer, educator, community organizer, and mother. She refers to dance and embodiment as her sorcery—revolutionary, transformative, wild, ancient, and fresh. Her practice is informed by years in anti-racist organizer training and as a lead facilitator with Urban Bush Women’s (UBW) Builders, Organizers and Leaders through Dance. She is anchored in a steady collaboration with partner and composer Everett Saunders.