The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts Presents Black Violin

Named one of the hottest bands of SXSW 2013, Black Violin brings their rich blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass to Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1.

Tickets, starting at $22 for the public and $10 for full-time Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522 or visiting arts.pepperdine.edu. More information about Black Violin: http://www.blackviolin.net/

An assortment of voices-different ages, genders, races-speak over a tense, clipped groove. Phrases overlap, offering definitions of a word while a beat snaps and propulsive strings bite and race up and down a scale. "A stereotype is an often unclear and untrue belief" says one; "a standardized mental picture" echoes another. The opening and title track to Stereotypes, the major-label debut by Black Violin, serves as a mission statement for an ambitious and groundbreaking group. Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) are a string duo from Florida with equal footing in the worlds of classical music and hip-hop.

Black Violin uses music to break down the barriers and stereotypes that frequently form due to differences in race, economic status, religion, and more. The Omaha-World Herald hailed their 2016/2017 UNITY show as "distinctive, unique and above all, exciting. Hard-hitting beats with lush string sounds dominated the evening but with a great variety of content and musical exploration."

"Through the message of Black Violin's music, we've spent the last 10 years working to encourage and empower people of all ages, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to find what connects us, rather than shine a light on what divides us," says Baptiste and Marcus. "This past year alone, we've played for nearly 100,000 students and over 125 public shows across the US and Europe. We've taken this opportunity to spread a message that challenges the world's view of what it means to rise above labels, be daring enough to follow their passion and most of all, be true to themselves. As black men living in America, we understand challenges and we also understand the power of 'I can't", yet we decide to live by and promote the power of 'I can.' We realize that every opportunity to connect our diverse fans is an opportunity to break down the barriers that separate us, empower individuality and encourage progress. Our UNITY tour, with concert dates throughout the US, will be our most energetic and inspired shows yet."

Since their debut, in additional to their touring peformances, Black Violin has scored and composed for the hit TV show Pitch and HBO's Ballers, as well as served as the in house band for the 82nd annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation.

"Our mantra has always been to engage the audience to look at things from a different perspective," says Marcus.

The members of Black Violin first met in Ft. Lauderdale, and played together in the orchestra at the Dillard High School of the Performing Arts. Classically trained by day, they faithfully put on their headphones and listened to the hottest rap records each night. They went to different colleges-Marcus attended Florida International University and Wil B went to Florida State-but then reconvened, moved into an apartment together, and started trying to produce other

Musicians. They developed an act covering hip-hop songs on their violins, which became popular in local clubs. Two years after sending in a tape to Showtime at the Apollo, they were invited to appear on the show-which they won, and kept winning.

"Wil and Kev's DNA is all about shattering and breaking stereotypes," says producer Eli Wolf, who has worked with the likes of Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis, and Elvis Costello. "We wanted [their first] album to thread their sound through a kaleidoscope of styles, and bring out ways to break down categories and barriers into something multi-faceted and expansive."

Since winning at the Apollo, they have toured with Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, opened for the Wu-Tang Clan, scored an episode of CSI: New York, and even performed for President Obama at his second inauguration in 2013. Individually and together, Baptiste and Marcus have worked with everyone from Kanye West to Tom Petty, Lupe Fiasco to Aerosmith.

"We want to really be something that young musicians aspire to," says Marcus. "For us, the violin is the vehicle for a bigger message, which is not to be afraid to be different."

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