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Episode 10: "Embracing Authenticity" with Classical Hip-Hop Duo Black Violin (#ThisIsMyEra the Podcast)

Black Violin is a trailblazing duo of classically trained musicians, Kev Marcus and Wil B, who blend hip-hop with classical music. As a duo, they’ve performed with musicians like Alicia Keys, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought, and 2 Chainz. (If you aren’t familiar with their music, you’ll hear some of it in this episode… or check them out on Spotify.)
Despite a nearly non-stop tour schedule (see if they’re making a stop near you!) they took the time to sit down with Alexander Star and Kuda Biza to talk about authenticity, developing a unique voice, and never being satisfied when it comes to success. This is an episode that will especially resonate with creatives and performers, but the takeaways about creativity and success will inspire anyone looking to find their authentic voice.
The world needs your voice; authenticity is the key:
Black Violin’s success lies in their unique offering to the world: the blending of classical music with modern genres in order to create a new sound. It’s tempting to look at successful people and attempt to replicate their voice. But, in the age of social media, people have learned how to see right through inauthentic personas. Conversely, when you share your unique combination of ideas and talents, people will seek out the value you have to offer that can’t be found elsewhere.
The world doesn’t need a copy of someone who already exists. Focus on doing something nobody else has done before.
Everyone started somewhere...and there's no finish line.
 
In this episode, Black Violin offers a great piece of advice to aspiring musicians: Remember that the people who serve as your models of success – your idols who seem untouchable – were once in your shoes, aspiring to make it big. Everyone had to climb to the top somehow. At the same time, it’s important to never be satisfied with success, and that successful people never stop putting in the work. The peak of the mountain is always a little bit higher up.
Hard work is more important than talent.
As Kev points out in this episode, the person who’s the most successful is often not the person who’s the most talented. Talent can be a key to success, but talent alone will only get you so far. True success takes work.
Work can mean hustle: getting your name out there, networking, chasing after opportunities from dawn to dusk. But it also means honing your craft or your skills… the kind of hard work that only happens behind the scenes, but is essential to success.

TAKE MASSIVE ACTION NOW

1) "At the end of the day, what are you trying to be successful for?"
This is a question that gets to the heart of what #ThisIsMyEra means. Achieving success and being seen as an expert or thought leader are goals that don’t have to be all about your ego.
Think about how your dreams for success are bigger than yourself. How will you create an impact on the world?
Clarify this vision for your impact. When challenges arise, returning to your underlying purpose will help you keep going.
2) What is your unique perspective?
Returning to the major theme of this episode, think about what you have to contribute to the world that is truly unique.
How does this compare with how you present yourself on social media and in public?
Are you being true to your own talents, or are you trying hard to emulate someone you admire?
Focus on amplifying your authentic voice, and letting go of the impulse to simply replicate the voice of others.
Episode Outline:
[1:30]: Introduction
[3:50]: The moment Black Violin knew they were doing something special.
[4:45]: Their experience performing at the Apollo Theatre – and why it changed everything.
[6:30]: How Black Violin merges classical music with rock and hip hop, creating their own sound.
[8:15]: How the duo first experienced classical music as kids.
[10:30]: How Kev and Wil came together to create Black Violin.
[13:30]: How Black Violin are making this their era.
[14:45]: How Black Violin is giving back to young people.
[16:30]: The MASSIVE number of shows Black Violin has performed (try guessing before you listen!)
[18:00]: The advice they would give young aspiring musicians.
[22:50]: The importance of authenticity.
[24:00]: The Black Violin song they’d play for you in the car right now.
[29:00]: Meet Tiffany. (She’s not what you might expect.)
[31:30]: Three lessons Black Violin has for #ThisIsMyEra listeners.
[41:00]: How Alexander Star collaborated with Black Violin on the song “Go.”
Episode Links:
Listen to “Go” by Black Violin, vocals written by Alexander Star
Connect with Black Violin:
Listen and watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Connect with #ThisIsMyEra on Facebook  (@thisismyeraofficial)
Connect with #ThisIsMyEra on Instagram (@thisismyeraofficial)
Join the conversation across all platforms with the hashtag #ThisIsMyEra
Pull quotes: (Quote @BlackViolin and @ThisIsMyEraOfficial on social media, click-to-tweet quotes, etc)
  • “Ask yourself: What can I do that’s never been done before?”
  • "#ThisIsMyEra is bigger than yourself… that’s what this is all about.”
  • “At the end of the day, what are you trying to be successful for?”