BAMS Fest presents S.O.U.L.stice
July 23rd @ 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
UnCommon Corner, Boylston St &, Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Every Thursday, join Toki Wright and BAMS Fest at UnCommon for the S.O.U.L.stice series. This week’s performance will feature Toki Wright & Mkeka!
Artist Bios
Toki Wright
Toki Wright is a two-time Emmy Award-winning MC, poet, producer, and cultural diplomat. He has received two CLIO Award for advertising with General Mills for the number one worldwide Twitter trending project “Watch the Stove” which was also nominated for a Cannes Lion Award. Wright is currently the chair of the Professional Music Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Before relocating he was the Department Head of the United States’ first fully accredited Hip-Hop Studies program at McNally Smith College of Music. The program was awarded the “Best Transformative Higher Learning Model” from the Hip-Hop Education Center at NYU. Toki also facilitated seven Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop Festivals and helped establish “Hip-Hop at H.E.A.L.S,” a program for former child soldiers in Gulu, Northern Uganda.
Mkeka
Mkeka is a melding of the minds of saxophonist Joseph Borsellino III, bassist Tony Irons, pianist Jesse Taitt, drummer Tyson Jackson, and percussionist Brandon Mayes, each highly acclaimed composers, educators, and community leaders.
The mkeka is a tablecloth used in Kwanzaa celebrations, representing foundation, history, and tradition– the idea that today is built on yesterday. Mkeka captivates with effects-laden textures and intricate grooves, weaving sonic tapestries from the vibrant fabrics of African diasporic music.