2021 PERFORMERS

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El Jay'EM

Host

In short El Jay'EM is an influencer and cultural engineer. For her day job, she manages client's millions , fixes problems, and turns dreams into actionable realities. A Cleveland born Native, with a S.E. D.C. bred spirit. El Jay'Em graduated from Hampton University with her bachelors degree and received her Masters in Public Relations from Georgetown University. Since 2016 this Godmother of 10 has fought for black liberation and racial equity within all of her work. . El Jay'Em is a radio personality for We Act Radio, and wpfw 89.3. She was crowned Ms. Black America D.C. in 2018. During her reign as Queen she has successfully established a community bookstore named after Charnice Milton,a gun violence victim, in the Anacostia Busboys & Poets. As well founded Speakezie Go Hard, which is a cultural entity that provides conflict resolution to victims of violence through the use of art therapy. Withing the three year time span of Speakezies existence over 15k individuals have been reached and given a platform to speak unapologetically, and authentically. In 2021, she established Hijynx Radio, a sister station to We Act Radio, in Cleveland Ohio. When El Jay'Em is not working on one of her community empowerment projects, her hobbies consist of baking. yoga, obsessively watching golden girls, (as if they have new seasons), and devouring french fries.

Fly Zyah

Zyah, better known by her stage name Fly Zyah, is an 9 year old emcee from Washington, D.C. She is known for her 90’s era hip hop flow and rememberal freestyle content. Zyah began rapping at the age of two and showed early on that she had a love for music. Zyah released her first cover song, Ride My Bike in June of 2018, when she was 6. She became the youngest winner of KYS Verses, hosted by Little Bacon Bear on a local radio station in Washington, DC, WKYS 93.9. Since then Zyah’s “kid-reer” has continued to progress. She has sat down for several interviews, such as WKYS 93.9, Sirius XM, Iron Throne Radio and The Youth Empowerment Show. She has partnered with and performed for many DC Organizations, such as the DC Mayor’s Arts Awards, DC Attorney General, Black Lives Matter DC and Spaces In Action. Recently, Zyah’s freestyles, to notable beats such as Snoh Aalegra’s, “Want you around”, gained the attention of not only, Snoh Aalegra, but 3X Grammy nominated rapper, and BET’s 2020, lyricist of the year, Rapsody. Rapsody reposted the video snippet of Zyah freestyling on Instagram and let her know that she loves her flow! While on her A Black Woman Created this tour, Rapsody invited Zyah to perform side by side with her on stage. Zyah performed her own verses to, 9th Wonder’s beat, “Hard to Choose!” Rapsody isn’t the only person that recognizes Zyah’s talent. Zyah has gained the recognition of many notable people, such as Viola Davis, Tamika Mallory, and DJ Eric B. Her incredible wordplay and her undeniable flow, on her up and coming single, “Our Generation,” produced by E. Jones, has definitely made its impact! She continues to impress and pay homage to hip hop and she is not only the future of hip hop, but the essence.

Dior Ashley Brown

Dior is a woman on a mission. Known for her broad range of creative roles, including community builder, humanitarian, activist, entrepreneur, and musician, she is a seasoned, respected member of the DC creative scene and beyond, committed to empowering all people, especially Black women and girls, and leaving a legacy of positive change. Wammie Award-winning artist for "Best Hip Hop Artist," and Dubbed the “Hip-Hop Polymath” by the Washington Post, Dior knows how to create impact. She is the founder of the DC Music Summit, an Award-winning organization, premier music conference, and exchange hub, featuring industry leaders, artists, influencers, and high-profile brand sponsors who join forces to help grow the music industry in the nation’s capital.

A proud DC native, raised across the globe, Dior is a Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumna. She holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Maryland. At her core, she is about breaking down barriers and sparking a movement, revealing the ways diversity lends a greater understanding of what it means to be human.

Gordon Sterling

The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth: Gordon Sterling and the People are here to bring it to you! Freshly assembled in 2020, Gordon has brought together a team of incredible musicians to bring forth a fresh and exciting pallette of original, dynamic soul/rock tunes: Cliff Blum (guitar), Natalie Brooke (keys), Scott Clement (bass), and David Ray (drums). With a brand new album (due late summer/fall 2021) of original music that ranges from summertime feel-good jams, to full tilt guitar-hero ragers, this group has something for everyone....for the People!

Zhariah

Zhariah is a magnet, an artist who is impossible to forget. At twenty-one years old, she has already proven herself to be a powerhouse performer. Her pull is absolutely undeniable and her core DMV and Philadelphia audience are more than willing.

Her aesthetic is a cross between Clueless and the Craft. Elegant, gothic, and a little bit dangerous. Zhariah’s fusion of pop, screamo, and trap are so out of this world that it’s only a matter of time before the music industry fiends for them. Her anthemic songs “Stars” “Yass Siss” and Metal Whips, and Chains (available on all streaming) will have you on your feet, dancing in the mirror and feverishly searching for her next show date.

In short, Zhariah she gives you life and is proof that Black girls rock in more ways than one. This writer truthfully believes that she may be the antidote to the world’s slowly painful desensitization. If anyone can conquer the world in leather and studded boots, it is Zhariah.

Airospace

"Airospace is a galactic hip hop experience wrapped in multi-dimensional production and beautiful imagery. Hailing from Washington, DC, he describes himself as a "sad rap boy with goth girl features" and creates music guided by emotion and honest expression.”

Marc 2Ray

Marc 2Ray is a rising Hip Hop artist breathing fresh air into the genre.

Marc, who hails from the suburbs of Washington, DC, has a vision of how hip-hop can be used as a tool to educate and empower. Marc has Armenian Genocide survivors and Holocaust rescuers as his grandparents which inspired him to create songs such as “1915,” which led to worldwide renown and live performances in Times Square, outside The White House, and The March For Justice in front of thousands of people.

With a background as an educator, (working as a therapist for children on the autism spectrum) Marc has gotten his music to be used in curricula at multiple schools such as St. Petersburg College and more. Marc’s most recent songs, “Dear America” and “Perspectives” uses his previously established platform of Hip Hop activism to take aim at America’s history of genocide, slavery, and oppression.

Marc’s music has been covered by publications such as HuffPost, WUSA9, The Source, Thrive Global, and more, along with multiple international News segments.
With drive, passion and a devotion to excellence, Marc 2Ray is an artist worth one's time and investment.

BOOMCLAK

Asha “BOOMCLAK” Santee is a percussion kahuna with a propensity for infectious beats and the inevitable body roll. Born on September 3rd, this San Francisco native has been drumming since the tender age of 6, taking after her father who drummed for their local church. In pursuit of a professional basketball career after college, a broken leg injury would put her through two months of bed rest, and there, she would find clarity in her gift of music. Asha Santee’s passion for music and art has taken her all over the world as she has been an asset to several bands across the DC Metropolitan area such as The Peace & Body Roll Duo BOOMscat, The CooLots, The Huda Asfour Trio, Grammy Nominee Carolyn Malachi, and Grammy Award-Winning, Mya. Asha currently has three solo projects on all streaming platforms including her latest release, GINKGO.

The Cruddy Crankerz

Meet DC's 1st Couple of SE The Cruddy Crankerz
This multi-genre all original “Cruddnamic Duo”, progenitors of “Crudd Rock” and “Gutta Blues”. Lady Moët Beast & DC Ty The Monster have been performing since their childhood days separately and formed a union of love & music in 2006. Together these artists play several instruments all originals no covers! The have performed on cards with Henry Rollins, Trouble Funk, Pastor Troy, Gunn Play, & Static Disruptors. Past venues, 9:30 Club, DC 9, Blues Alley, Fillmore Silver Spring, & Hard Rock Cafe.

Carly Harvey

Based out of Washington, DC, Carly Harvey combines Blues, Jazz, Soul and Americana roots styles to create a unique sound that calls to mind Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, and Nina Simone, with a little Ella Fitzgerald thrown in for good measure. In July 2018, Carly was featured in Big City Blues Magazine as one of the youngest Blues artists to watch. She has had the privilege of sharing the stage with iconic musicians including Annika Chambers, Ron Holloway, Kebbie Williams, Ephraim Owens, Cory Henry, Kofi Burbridge, Junior Marvin, and Susan Tedeschi - an artist whose work has been foundational to her musical evolution.

Carly is a two time D.C. Blues Society Battle of the Bands Winner (Duo - 2016, Band - 2018) and was proclaimed D.C.'s Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio. Her band, Kiss & Ride represented Washington D.C. in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January of 2019 where they advanced to the semi-finals. That same year, Carly released a new EP titled Kiss & Ride: Vol. 1, and the hit single, "She Ain't Me" is now charting on regional blues radio stations. She was shortly after voted 2nd place for Best Performance Artist in Washington City Paper's " Best of D.C. 2019"

In 2021, Carly was nominated 7 times and won the WAMMIE award for Best Blues Artist/Band.
International crossover album titled Among The Stars and an EP titled Y.A.M.W.A.O. with Italian producer/composer Taste of Dream is an additional project that has allowed Carly to explore an element of her musicianship beyond the Blues.
Carly is a Tsalagi and Tuscarora descendant and it is her belief that Blues not only comes from the African American experience but is actually directly influenced by Indigenous American Minor Pentatonic Melodies and Stomp Dance Songs. She occasionally offers master classes to educate people about the music that gives her so much pride in her Afro-Indigenous heritage.

Akua Allrich

Jazz vocalist and DC-native Akua Allrich has proven
herself to be a musician of extraordinary talent and crowd-
moving passion. With finesse and charisma, this vocalist,
composer and teacher, has successfully etched out a place
for her unique musical expression, electrifying audiences in
and around the nation’s capital with sold-out performances.
The launching of her freshman album, A Peace of Mine,
and second album, Uniquely Standard, Akua Allrich Live!
the young artist’s music and concerts created a significant
buzz with critics and music-lovers alike. Said Franz
Matzner of All About Jazz, “Akua Allrich’s music flows
with a free, natural energy as engaging as her equally
ingenuous personality.” Her appeal soon reached across US
borders and attained international attention. In early 2011,
Allrich signed a distribution deal with Japanese record label
AGATE/Inpartmaint Inc.

With a stellar line up of musicians, Akua’s newest release Soul Singer, presents the artist in a whole new light,
highlighting her talent for composition as well as her ability to merge different sounds & genres into one
complete beautiful musical experience!
Allrich’s style is fluid and ever evolving. Her musical roots run deeply into blues, soul and rhythm and blues,
with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African music. She sings in many languages including Portuguese,
French, Spanish, English, Xhosa, and Twi. Given her ability to capture the essence of a broad range of musical
genres, Allrich is often likened to legendary artists such as Oscar Brown, Jr., Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley and
Nina Simone. She has developed popular tribute programs involving the latter two women and other great
African American women of jazz.

Natalie Brooke

Natalie Brooke brings the funk, the rock, the roll, and all of the piano and synth vibes to the stage with a powerfully energetic 4 piece band (they performed as a 3 piece for DCMS) based out of the DC area. The group is led by keyboard/synth player Natalie Brooke and the music is a combination of soulful song writing, heavy jams and improvising. Natalie Brooke has been a prominent figure in the DC music scene since 2018.

Fleetwood DeVille

Emcee, vocalist, music producer, instrumentalist, and community organizer.

Fleetwood has collaborated with artists around the US as a
songwriter/producer, an artist consultant, a booking director
and an event producer since 2013; he recently launched his
company, The RECON Initiative, with a mission to develop
sustainable, necessary resources for underserved communities, and a mission to advocate for musicians and entrepreneurs of color. Fleetwood is touring again in 2020, and his next solo LP, The Restitution, is due to release later this year.

Dj Double A 1k

Anthony K. Amos is the founder and director of SKIES THE LIMIT Entertainment, a company that uses music, art and media to entertain, educate, inspire, elevate voices that are often marginalized, and bring people together. Anthony has over 20 years of experience providing freelance videography, video editing and production, DJ/VJ, and audio support work in DC, Virginia, and elsewhere. As a DJ/VJ, Anthony has shared his talent in venues all across the country, including the Kennedy Center and Arena Stage, and on stages with Kanye West, Kirk Franklin, and Canton Jones. He has recorded, edited, and/or provided audio support for live sports events through Monumental Sports, the University of Virginia, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. He has videotaped live shows, produced videos, and served as DJ/VJ for music and poetry events for Youth Speaks, the 2012 National Poetry Slam, Split This Rock Youth Programs, and Words, Beats & Life. He has also created educational, promotional, music, and/or mini-documentary videos for Gayle Danley, Dumi Right, DC Music Summit, UVA Institute for Environmental Negotiation, and the web series he co-created, Hip Hop for President. He has collaborated with Young Playwrights Theatre on its Silence is Violence series providing projection design and video editing, and provided leadership as co-producer and video editor for the 2020 virtual youth performance of the play Annie for the Sitar Arts Center. Using hip hop, he has taught numerous classes and workshops for youth on subjects such as video production, science, and history. Learn more at his website: skiesthelimitent.com.

Les The DJ

Les is a DJ, photographer, curator, teaching artist and organizer whose practice immerses people in the joy of discovery, empowerment and community. This approach is informed by Les’ own story of resilience, liberation and courage as an immigrant, mother and v/s.

Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Les fell in love with music at a young age, DJing at local clubs and playing in bands. Les has lived in DC for over 20 years and continues to expand their talents, performing behind the decks in the U.S. and abroad.