Music at the Intersection

Sanelisiwe Twisha, known professionally as Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto funk". Originally from Port Elizabeth, the singer first came into limelight in the Durban poetry and music scene before relocating to Johannesburg, where she has continued her musical career.

The Los Angeles League of Musicians, often abbreviated as LA LOM, is an American instrumental band originating from Los Angeles, California. The band consists of guitarist Zac Sokolow, bassist Jake Faulkner, and percussionist Nicholas Baker. The trio began playing together at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where they experimented with a mix of distinct genres, including cumbia and Peruvian chicha. Building on this foundation, the band has been noted for its fusion of multiple different styles.

The James Hunter Six is a British R&B soul jazz band led by James Hunter, Lee Badau (baritone saxophone), with Damian Hand (tenor saxophone), Jonathan Lee (drums), Jason Wilson (double bass), and Kyle Koehler and Andrew Kingslow sharing keyboard/piano duties. The Six have hung together through multiple albums and more than two decades of international touring, from small clubs to the Hollywood Bowl – developing a cohesion and intuitive knack for creating precisely the right arrangement and feel for James’ original songs. See and read more here. Official Website: James Hunter Music

Paul Sylvester "P.J." Morton Jr. is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. In 2010, he joined pop rock band Maroon 5, as a touring member and became an official member after Jesse Carmichael went on a brief hiatus in 2012. During this period, Morton signed with Young Money to release his debut major-label studio album, New Orleans (2013), and later self-released Gumbo, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Since then he has received six Grammy Awards.

Rapsody is the new force in hip hop, and she's blazing the trail for a new generation of emcees, showcasing effortless lyrical mastery in an age of celebrating the culture of a hip hop renaissance. "Hip hop in its essence is real; I'm still hearing every rhyme." She is the protégé of Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder, the first lady of North Carolina super crew Kooley High, and one of the first artists signed to Jamla Records/It's A Wonderful World Music Group. As the brainchild of 9th Wonder's true school resurgence, Rapsody consistently sets the bar high for all emcees, male and female alike. Paying homage to her hip hop godmothers MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill, this Snow Hill, North Carolina native represents much more than just the female side of hip hop culture; she is an emcee who represents hip hop culture beyond the lines of gender, proving that anything the boys can do, she can do, too, and better. Her virtuosity and dexterity behind the microphone highlight her presentation, and her humble demeanor attests to her constant pursuit of improvement with every beat and rhyme. After proving her impeccable craftsmanship with features on 9th Wonder's "Dream Merchant 2," Skyzoo's DJ-Drama hosted "The Power of Words," and numerous Kooley High releases, Rapsody made her solo debut on December 7, 2010 with "Return of the B-Girl," a 20-track project boasting production by 9th Wonder and DJ Premier among others, as well as features from Big Daddy Kane, Mac Miller, Skyzoo, Rah Digga, Phil Ade, and more. A published review praised the record: "A poet-turned-rapper, Rapdiddy (as she's dubbed herself) has always possessed outstanding wordplay, but B-Girl finds her effortlessly nimble delivery -- capable of both gritty and biting or sassy and sultry -- continuing to improve." Rapsody has shared the stage with hip hop legends and rising stars alike, including Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, Big Daddy Kane, J. Cole, Wale, Colin Munroe, Tanya Morgan, Suede of Camp Lo, Blu and Exile, and The Clipse, but it's her ability to captivate diverse audiences with her explosively dynamic live performance that sets her apart and has earned her much-deserved accolades from major media sources including Vibe, XXL, HipHopDX, and more. She has captivated audiences at sold-out performances at dozens of venues on The Incredibly Dope Tour with Mac Miller and the Mic Fest Tour with 9th Wonder and her Jamla Records label mates. In her sophomore project "Thank H.E.R. Now," she weaves more intimate stories of her personal experiences and shares the studio and soundbooth with heavy hitters Jean Grae, MURS, Raekwon, Estelle, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Marsha Ambrosius, and more. Her style is polished and distinct, and her wordplay and flow are unparalleled in both delivery and execution. As she continues to strive to contend with her hip hop predecessors like Jay-Z and Mos Def, Rapsody is already undeniably one of the strongest and most promising forces in today's hip hop culture.

Omavi Ammu Minder, better known as Mavi, is an American rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina. Mavi emerged in 2014 as a member of North Carolina music collective KILLSWITCH, and later rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of his debut solo album Let the Sun Talk and his guest appearance on Earl Sweatshirt's EP Feet of Clay. His most recent album, The Pilot, was released in 2025.

Deidra Muriel Roper, known professionally as DJ Spinderella or simply Spinderella, is an American DJ, rapper, and producer. She is best known as a member of the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa. Roper occasionally appeared on The Salt-n-Pepa Show, a reality TV series that focused on reforming the group, which aired on the VH1 network in 2008.

Season of Changes is the third album and first Verve release by Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, the visionary ensemble that matches renowned drummer/composer Blade with the formidable talents of pianist and composer Jon Cowherd, Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Chris Thomas (bass), Myron Walden (alto saxophone, bass clarinet) and Melvin Butler (tenor saxophone). The album features nine moving new works by Blade and Cowherd, and offers a compelling distillation of the compositional eloquence and collective chemistry that have made Blade and his longtime bandmates one of contemporary jazz's most respected ensembles. True to its title, Season of Changes (produced by Blade and Cowherd) finds the players pursuing their collective muse into emotionally evocative new territory. The album opens with the gently striking "Rubylou's Lullaby," one of the album's six Blade compositions, followed by Cowherd's driving, multi-movement "Return of the Prodigal Son," which showcases Rosenwinkel's stellar guitar work and Butler's emotive tenor. The title track is a modern epic that reveals Cowherd's depth and growth as a composer, as well as his ability to write for the band's collective expression. Another highlight is "Most Precious One" and its companion piece "Most Precious One (Prodigy)." The former starts off with Thomas' steady bass mantra, and then transitions into a more layered, beat-driven performance of the composition. The album closes with the Blade composition "Omni," which features Walden's soaring alto. Season of Changes is the group's first album in eight years, following 1998's Daniel Lanois-produced Brian Blade Fellowship and 2000's Perceptual, which Blade and Cowherd co-produced. The Louisiana-bred Blade's remarkable percussive sensitivity and versatility were nurtured in his hometown of Shreveport and later in New Orleans under the tutelage of such mentors as John Mahoney, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, George French, Ellis Marsalis and drumming masters John Vidacovich and David Lee, Jr. In recent years, he's balanced his Fellowship activities with his parallel career as one of today's most in-demand drummers, with a resume that includes recording and/or live work with a broad range of musical artists that includes Daniel Lanois, Bob Dylan, Bill Frisell, Kenny Garrett, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Joshua Redman, Seal and Wayne Shorter. Despite his and his cohorts' prestigious individual resumes, Blade emphasizes the Fellowship Band's collaborative focus. "I feel less like a leader than I feel like I'm trying to be part of an enduring collective statement," he states. "It's always a learning experience to take the trip and see what happens when we mix and mingle as a band. Everybody gives everything to it, and it's always a joyful experience, even when the music is melancholy.” "When I'm writing for the Fellowship," Blade explains, "Myron and Melvin and Chris and Jon and Kurt are always in my mind and I'm writing for their voices. The music on paper sits dormant, until I bring it to them and they inject it with their energy. That's when it becomes real. It's the same with Jon's writing; it always inspires me to hear what he's working on, because he has a real talent for bringing out the gifts of the group." The musicians' individual talents and organic rapport make Season of Changes a memorable evocation of Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band's singular brilliance. "I feel really blessed to be a part of this group," Blade asserts, "and to know these people and to feel such dedication and emotional investment in being a part of this band. It's not something that you can put on paper; it's a chemical reaction that comes from people having a connection, and in our case it keeps growing. Even if we have a lot of time away from each other, the thread is held, and it's still there when we come back to it. It really feels like coming home to my family.”

Paul Edward Huston, better known by his stage name Prince Paul, is an American record producer, disc jockey and recording artist from Amityville, New York. Paul began his career as a DJ for Stetsasonic. He has worked on albums by Boogie Down Productions, Gravediggaz, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and 3rd Bass, among others. Major recognition for Prince Paul came when he produced De La Soul's debut album 3 Feet High and Rising (1989), in which he pioneered new approaches to hip hop production, mixing and sampling, notably by including comedy sketches.

In 1992, Jason Jackson, internationally known as J Rocc, launched his vision of forming a DJ crew comprised of talented musicians, by introducing to the world Southern California's first turntable band - the Beat Junkies. A prized accomplishment enthusiastically received by worldwide audiences, J Rocc continues to invent musical styles that display his creative expertise. Highly recognized for his funky showcases and original arrangements, J Rocc has clearly distinguished his place in music history. J Rocc began his DJ career in 1985 with PSK, a DJ group based out of Huntington Beach, CA. Possessing the imagination and skills to alter the traditional purpose of the turntable, J Rocc applied his artistic talent by using the turntable as his musical instrument. His individual approach towards developing his ingenious collections consists of focusing on smooth, rhythmic transitions and building an energetic vibe. Maintaining the entertainment level plays a major role in producing explosive performances, and J Rocc achieves this excitement and dynamics without "killing" the original recordings. Heavily influenced by jazz legend John Coltrane, world-renowned Hip-Hop producers Dr. Dre and DJ Aladdin, and the departed Hip-Hop radio show on KDAY (1580 AM) featuring the comedic personality of Russ Parr, J Rocc absorbed their influential contributions to help drive his musical genius. His striking list of awards and accomplishments demonstrates his excellent ability to apply his creative gift. Collectively, the Beat Junkie band comprised of J Rocc, Babu, Melo-D, and Rhettmatic, claimed the title of International Turntablist Federation (ITF) World Champions two years in a row (1997 and 1998). In 1999, Rawkus Records seeked J Rocc and Babu to join the talented cast of musicians on "Sound Bombing 2", a classic Hip-Hop compilation featuring internationally acclaimed artists including Pharaoh Monche, Mos Def and Common. J Rocc and Babu greatly impacted the production of this project by exhibiting their exceptional turntable talent and musically powerful imaginations. J Rocc continues to inspire worldwide audiences through his entertaining performances and showcases of musical creativity. In 1998, J Rocc delivered his turntable brilliance and shared the stage with Hip-Hop phenomenons Talib Kwali and Mos Def during the U.S. Coca Cola tour, which included sold-out shows throughout the country. This past year, J Rocc traveled nationwide with Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, MC Supernatural, and the Beat Junkie crew on the heavily documented tour entitled "Word of Mouth". J Rocc's individual discography includes numerous innovations that continue to gain global recognition. In 1999, J Rocc released "Live at the Sex Machine". This masterful compilation highlights J Rocc's skilled application of the group's signature "Beat Junkie Style", in which he precisely blends the musical genres of breaks, Hip-Hop and reggae. In 2000, J Rocc introduced a second volume to this successful project entitled "Sex Machine Today". In this latter release, J Rocc continues to demonstrate his original style of producing illustrious musical arrangements, and repeatedly, is able to capture audiences stemming from diversified realms. As a leading figure in the media circuit, J Rocc has appeared in all media outlets, both in the national and international markets. Feature stories in publications including the Source, URB, Rolling Stone, and Mass Appeal, highlight his unique achievements and untouchable musical expertise. J Rocc appeared in the internationally respected film entitled "Keepintime" (2001), a documentary created to exemplify the parallel between the art of original drumming and the art of drumming using a turntable as the musical instrument. The film portrayed this relationship by capturing performances by legendary drummers Paul Humphrey, Earl Palmer, Roy Porter and James Gadson, as well as recording the drumming techniques of turntable drummers J Rocc, Babu, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. In 2001, J Rocc released a number of innovative individual and group projects. As the group's "Funky President", he played a major role in the production and delivery of the first Beat Junkie album entitled "Classic Material", which was released last August on the group's newly established, independent record label, Beat Junkie Sound. "Classic Material" features innovative tracks produced and performed by the Beat Junkie artists between the years of 1995 - 2000. Another notable project presented a collaboration between J Rocc and fellow Beat Junkie member Babu, known internationally to the world as the Bumrush Brothers. Together, these talented musicians introduced two timeless masterworks entitled "Gold Chain Music" featuring Planet Asia and Evidence (Beat Junkie Sound), and "X-ecution of a Bumrush", a track from the X-ecutioners' album entitled "Built from Scratch" (Loud Records). In July 2001, J Rocc released "Syndromes Remix", which hit record stores throughout the world and received international praise. This heavily demanded mixtape is a follow-up to his original creation released back in 1995. The audible recordings allow audiences to travel through a musical journey in which they are introduced to music legends, including Roy Ayers, Instant Funk, Minnie Riperton, and Grover Washington Jr. J Rocc's most recent masterpiece was introduced to the world the latter part of March 2003. "Play This (One)" and "Junkies Pick" released on Stonesthrow Records, are classic compositions written, produced and conceived by J Rocc. This highly anticipated record is just one of several projects J Rocc is set to release in 2003. This year, the "Funky President" is poised to take-off.

Michael Griffith Buchanan, better known as House Shoes, is an American Detroit-born hip-hop producer and DJ who lives and works in Los Angeles. He served as a producer on albums by Phat Kat, Proof, Elzhi, Pumpkinhead, Marv Won, J Dilla, Danny Brown, and Quelle Chris among others. He is a three-time Detroit Music Awards winner for Outstanding Hip-Hop DJ.