Here’s how Black Violin’s performance in Charlotte changed the game on respectable classical music

Indeed, the aesthetics of watching two black male violinists, their DJ and a drummer rocking the strings on the same stage shared by the Charlotte Symphony broke down barriers of the archetype elite music, its “look” and feel.

In essence, Black Violin graced the city with an artistic expression that defied all the rules. And I was there for it every step of the way.

Bragging rights

Before Wilner “Wil” Baptise and Kevin “Kev” Sylvester were wowing audiences around the world sharing tour schedules with Linkin Park, Alicia Keys, Lil’ Wayne or Kanye West, the two met in a high school orchestra class that would lay the groundwork for their studies in classical music and experimentation with the nuances of genres, cultural influence and a thriving career challenging the status quo.

“Wil and I met in orchestra class. In my junior year, I got a job and a cell phone. Before you could download ringtones, you could add notes to your phone. One time during class my phone rang and the Busta Rhymes ‘Gimme Some More’ started blasting with the notes I added to the phone,” Kev shared with me prior to the show. “The whole class went crazy. Everyone started jumping in and playing various parts of the notes and sections. By the end of class, we had this arrangement based on this phone I had.”

The momentum continued to build. The class, predominately composed of black and Latino students, went on to perform the popular hip-hop track at a national competition in full tuxedo garb, in front of an unexpecting audience and panel of judges.

Needless to say, they stuck out. This premise of surprise, excellence and subsequent ownership of the possible nuances of the art form is what has become the ruminating narrative that has followed Kev and Wil during their almost 12-year career.

The two went on to receive full-ride scholarships to study classical music at Florida International University and Florida State University, respectively. They even won competitions at Showtime at the Apollo, one of America’s toughest crowds, which launched them into stardom and a platform dedicated to “making people better people.”

Adding “stank” to classical music

Even now, Kev and Wil are still riding off their confidence boost, operating with the same energy as though they’ve won the lottery.

They brought the same enthusiasm to Thursday evening’s stage, having spent time that morning performing in front of Charlotte students discussing resilience, discipline and hard work, instilling the value that they can do anything they want to do.

The cadence of the Thursday evening performance began with top hits like Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, OMI’s Cheerleader, and a DJ SPS-induced track mix of Wiz Khalifa’s We Dem Boyz. The crowd was on their feet indefinitely, young, old, black and white; many were experiencing the duo and the violin for the very first time that evening.

Wil surprised the audience with strong vocals and original songs, bailing out self-identifying choruses that proclaimed “I am not invisible.” The story shared on stage by the violinists was of empowerment and a shift in perspectives on how our stereotypes dehumanize our experiences if left unchecked.

The energy of the room was felt by all as Kev and Wil beckoned us to the stage with their sound and invited us to know that we matter.

They also played a selection of classical music, reminding us that they get down with the dead greats while adding a bit of “stank” on the end.

Yes, the performance was entertaining and you’d be completely lame if you dare miss next year’s show. Most important, however, Black Violin filled the city with a humility that helped us leave our seats in anticipation of how we might rethink our response to our art, and most importantly, our community.

When I asked Kev what he’s learned most from those he’s worked with, he shared: “Mike [from Linkin Park] would always say, this is like winning the lottery so you have to enjoy the ride. He and Alicia Keys were the artists we’ve worked with that are true, value community and remain gracious and humble. That’s how we move and think about our career in that way. We have to enjoy it constantly. Now we’re working movies and a new series, writing music that fits a certain character or mood. We’re doing something different and looking at music in a different way. It’s exhilarating and we’re not looking to get comfortable.”

Grab tickets in advance for next year’s performance, and check out their latest music video for the track Stereotypes below: