If you believe in stereotypes, classical music audiences and hip-hop fans don’t have much in common.
Black Violin, a group formed by violinist Kev Marcus and violist/singer Wil Baptiste, explores intersections between the two musical genres on “Stereotypes,” the duo’s third album, merging classical chamber music with contemporary hip-hop and vocal R&B.
“Being able to travel and see a lot of different venues and talk to people, and you get a good understanding of classical music and hip-hop,” Baptiste, who goes by Wil B., says. “Classical music is probably one of the oldest genres, but probably one of the less inclusive genres that we know of.”
Acceptance, Baptiste continues, runs in both directions. “An individual who would not necessarily listen to any classical music is now open to listening to a classical piece because of what we do. … We think that by what we’re doing we’re creating notoriety, almost like an awakening, for a genre that’s honestly fading away.”
On Thursday, Nov. 19, Marcus and Baptiste, backed by drummer Nat Stokes and DJ SPS, perform at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Norfolk.
Baptiste and Marcus met at Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Marcus’s mother urged him to study violin in fifth grade. Baptiste picked up the viola when he noticed no one else in his class wanted to play it.
Both men also loved popular music.
“We lived hip-hop,” Baptiste says. “It was all about creativity, creating, expression, and classical music is honestly the opposite of that. For us, it was very organic, very natural for us to try to put the two worlds together.”
One day, in string class, Marcus brought in Busta Rhymes’ “Gimme Some More,” a hip-hop song with a distinctive violin part.
“He programmed the notes in his phone, came to class and showed everyone the notes,” Baptiste says. “I started playing the notes, and everyone went crazy, because it’s what you hear on the radio. … After that, we thought about doing a group. Without even thinking about it, we just did things that were interesting, that kept up our interest in classical music.”
Marcus eventually studied violin at Florida International University, while Baptiste headed to Florida State. After graduation, with manager Sam G., they formed Black Violin; in a short time, they were soon backing Alicia Keys at the 2004 Billboard Awards, impressing Showtime at the Apollo audiences and working with the likes of Kanye West, Tom Petty, Lupe Fiasco and Aerosmith.
Black Violin’s self-titled debut album was released in 2008; a follow up, “Classically Trained,” came out in 2012. “Stereotypes,” released earlier this year, is the group’s first album for Universal Music Group and features guest appearances by rappers Black Thought (The Roots) and Pharoahe Monche, pianist Robert Glasper and others.
“Just because I’m 6-foot-2, 260 pounds doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be afraid of me,” Marcus says on “Stereotypes,” the title track, over moody, minor-key strings and a programmed drum groove. He talks about being on an elevator, sensing nervousness from other people: “Maybe they’re not afraid, but they’re on notice.”
“Shaker,” the most outwardly “classical” track on “Stereotypes,” takes the melody from composer Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts,” played by Marcus, and folds it into a new context, with a descending viola line (similar to the bass part on a number of rock songs, including the Beatles’ “Dear Prudence” and Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4”), rolling piano arpeggios and Ray Angry and a Daru Jones drum groove.
The hypnotic “Addiction” culminates in an unforgettable two-part counterpoint between complementary vocal lines, sung by Baptiste — “You were my addiction for a long time / now I’m over it, said I’m over it,” and “Me, myself and I / never said a single word” — over Angry’s minimal piano lines and the duo’s tense, sliding string parts.
Marcus and Baptiste worked on “Stereotypes” from January to April of 2015, while keeping up a busy touring schedule. By year’s end, Black Violin will have played nearly 200 shows.
“We’re constantly traveling, constantly performing, but the good thing about it is we’re doing great work and we love what we do,” Baptiste says. “It’s one thing to travel and do this many shows if you’re not enjoying yourself.”
On the road, Baptiste and Marcus spend a great deal of time educating kids about classical music. “You talk to a little kid and play a classical piece, they’ll be like, ‘Dad, turn that off,'” Baptiste says. “After our concert, they’re going to be a bit more open to it.”
Whether or not those kids pick up a violin or viola, Baptiste adds, isn’t the point.
“Kids look at us and see us as superheroes, which is crazy,” Baptiste says. “If I can pull out my viola and just do something I would do naturally, and I love doing, it gives them that vision of, ‘Oh my God, there’s a possibility I could do something else. I can be anybody.'”
BLACK VIOLIN performs at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro, 20 Green Woods Road West in Norfolk on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $34-$49. Information: infinityhall.com.
