Black Violin

Black Violin takes its name from a recording by swing-era violinist Stuff Smith and operates as a Florida-based hip-hop duo that blends violin and viola. The ensemble comprises two classically trained musicians, Kevin Sylvester, known onstage as Kev Marcus, and Wilner Baptiste, who performs as Wil B; together they fuse multiple genres within their signature string sound. Their first full-length project arrived as the self-titled Black Violin in 2008, while their third album, the major-label debut Stereotypes issued in 2015, ascended to the summit of the Billboard classical crossover chart and reached the R&B Top Five.

Sylvester and Baptiste first crossed paths as high-school students enrolled in a Fort Lauderdale performing-arts program; after completing separate university studies they officially established the duo. Their energetic live approach quickly drew attention, leading to a national spotlight through a joint appearance with Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards and a victory on the talent showcase Showtime at the Apollo in 2005. Between mixtape projects they released the 2008 debut album and followed with Classically Trained in 2012. During this period they secured opening slots on tours alongside Wu-Tang Clan, Ciara, Aerosmith, and Kanye West. In 2014 they entered a deal with Universal Music Classics, which issued Stereotypes the next year; the set opened at number one on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Albums chart and climbed to number four on the Top R&B Albums chart.

After concluding their association with Universal, the duo returned to their own Di Versatile Music Group imprint for the 2019 album Take the Stairs. Produced in tandem with Phil Beaudreau, the release topped both the classical and classical crossover album charts and finished inside the Top 25 among independent releases. Their initial holiday collection, the full-length Give Thanks, appeared in 2020.