This GRAMMY® Award-winning band has quietly impacted pop, R&B, and hip-hop with production credits from The Weeknd, Travis Scott, and SZA, to Jazmine Sullivan, Ellie Goulding and Billy Porter. In 2021, KG co-wrote “Sing” for Jon Batiste’s We Are. It gathered eight GRAMMY® Award nominations, and took home an award for “Album of the Year.” KG also penned “Sweeter” [feat. Terrace Martin] on Leon Bridges’ Gold-Diggers Sound, which notched a GRAMMY® nod in the category of “Best R&B Album.” Along with being known as producers, they have rocked stages along side Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Mr. Bungle, and the Nate Smith trio. Be sure to check out their contemporary take on American Soul on their first 2 albums- “Make It Sweat” (2017) and “Heavy Metal Greasy Love” (2022) on Mike Patton’s Ipecac Records. KG is currently working on a 3rd studio album.

Chris Shreve is a NC based MC/producer & founder of the hip-hop collective Free The Optimus. His brainchild–FTO–became an award winning blog era success, earning their following & relevance through an unrelenting tour & release schedule, largely driven by Shreve’s vision. The Professor moniker references his 12 years as a university professor teaching biostatistics. He defines Free The Optimus as “a call to action—to set free our optimal ability & our optimistic perspective & to transform the world around us.” From the writers at Earmilk: “C.Shreve’s lyrical prowess is undeniable. FTO is known for bringing positive & poetic lyrics that flow over jazz influenced hip hop beats that bring in a hint of soul. Their lyrical talent goes above & beyond what is expected in rap music these days.” Since 2009, FTO has helped to define Carolina music & continues to set the bar for hip hop in the live space. Shreve has toured & shared stages with The Pharcyde, Big Boi, CL Smooth, The Hieroglyphics, Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, Onyx, Gift of Gab, Cannibal Ox, Camp Lo, Nappy Roots, Talib Kweli, Oddisee, Guilty Simpson, Planet Asia, Tanya Morgan, Chubb Rock, Slum Village, Zion I, Marley Marl et al. He’s performed at Hopscotch, Blue Plum, LAAF, Beats & Bars, Boone in Blossom, Drink Durham, Brooklyn Wildlife, GURP Fest, Shrimp N Grits & AVL Fest. His work has been featured on Shade45, Hip HopDX, Earmilk, Revolt TV, I Still Love HER, INDYweek, & has been spun by both DJ Premier & Chuck D.

SAM THOUSAND (formally known as Sam Trump) is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/writer, producer/composer and a 3Arts Recipient with 15+ years of experience in live performance art, curation, and self management. Since picking up the trumpet at age 7, his artistry has allowed him the opportunity to perform in all corners of North America as well as overseas.