• Genre :: Urban/Hip hop
• Listen :: Track 1 | Track 2

Toni Blackman Hip-hop Ensemble have played before sold-out crowds sharing the stage with popular R&B diva Erykah Badu, seminal hip-hop band-the Roots, Mos Def and others. A Lilith Fair Talent Search Winner and Capitol Records Girls Room Talent Search Toni has also featured along some of the world's most legendary musicians including James "Blood" Ulmer, Craig Harris, Vernon Reid and saxman Steve Coleman. The trio of Bryon Hankins (bass), Ive 09 (drums) and J. Mage (keys) brings together seasoned musicians who complement Blackman's brand of jazz influenced, globally tinged, hip-hop soul. A highly respected freestyler (improvisationalist), the first-ever artist to work as a cultural ambassador for hip-hop through the Dept. of State's Cultural Affairs Division, Toni is invited to festivals all over the world including CUTTING EDGE Festival in Germany, NUMOON Festival in Holland, URBAN VOICES Fest in South Africa, as well as festivals in Canada, Senegal, Ghana, France, England and the U.S.

Toni Blackman is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for her contagious performance style. She has shared the stage with Erykah Badu, Mos Def, The Roots, Wu Tang Clan, and others. Her first book, Inner-Course was released in 2003 (Villard/Random House). Ms. Blackman is highly respected as the founder and director of Freestyle Union, a workshop that uses freestyling as a tool to encourage social responsibility. Ms. Blackman is also a creative consultant for Sesame Workshop's "The New Electric Company" and is recording new music for her debut album.

Bryon Hankins is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He began playing bass at age 14, and at 16, he began studying privately, which led him to Berklee College of Music. Now living in New York, Mr. Hankins records and performs with numerous artists in various venues.

Ivan Katz has been playing drums for 20 years. Born and raised in New York City, his style is a result of immersion in the sounds and vibrations of New York City. Mr. Katz specializes in soul, hip-hop, reggae, and dance beats. He has performed with numerous artists and played in numerous locales around the world.

Jeremy Mage started playing the piano when he was 8 and soon after, he began meddling with synthesizers. He grew up in upstate NY, riding the trailways bus to NYC on weekends where he was exposed to serious bass. He studied Indian classical music in Varanasi, Cuban timba in Havana, and learned jazz composition with John Esposito and James Hurt. Mr. Mage has played keyboard and produced music all over the world with Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul and African artists.