Ryan “RnB” Barber is a proud staple of Asheville NC’s legendary music scene, at the forefront of its funk and R&B community. Drawing from a lifetime of singing, rapping, producing and touring across the nation, Ryan has released 6 full length studio albums. He has also been featured on many high profile projects, including producing on two of R&B stalwart W. Ellington Felton’s recent albums, and also singing and rapping on the 2017 GRAMMY winning album “Infinity Plus One” by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, just one of the groups he actively tours with.

Born to a musical family and steeped in gospel, funk and R&B from his first heartbeat, Ryan started his musical education in the church choir at the age of nine, and continued adding to a deepening knowledge of rhythm and percussion by joining the school marching band at sixteen. But it was love for hip hop, jazz, funk, new jack swing and especially R&B that beat in his chest, so he quickly began applying all he’d learned to producing his own tracks, inspired by J Dilla, A Tribe Called Quest, Gerald Levert and Teddy Riley. Mixing a classic beat production feel with soulful Southern singing and a fearless falsetto, Ryan solidified his musical identity as a recording artist as well as a highly sought after performer and collaborator.

Already known throughout the SouthEast as a standout voice, charismatic bandleader, and musical workhorse, Ryan “RnB” Barber has begun spreading his soaring funkiness across the nation, recently rocking sets at Chicago’s Lollapalooza Festival and performing live on SiriusXM in Washington, DC, delivering uplifting messages with a timeless soul that sounds like both yesterday and tomorrow.

Spaceman Jones (Davaion Bristol) is an independent Asheville-based rapper, producer, and radio host known for his gritty, soulful lyricism. Often collaborating with producer Mother Hood in the duo Spaceman Jones & The Motherships, his work focuses on social justice and personal growth. He is a prominent voice in the local creative community, hosting The Open Door Radio Show on AshevilleFM.

You might remember Secret Agent 23 Skidoo from the Asheville Symphony’s Mozartistic and Beat Bach Symphonies album collaborations.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is a Grammy winning, internationally touring, purple velvet tuxedo wearing family funk phenomenon. Combining the positive, primal power of hip hop with the surreal storytelling of science fiction, 23 Skidoo has concocted a potent potion that wows crowds across the planet.  He has headlined festivals in the United States, Canada, India, and Australia, and has performed at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, the Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian. He has scored an ongoing streak of fifteen #1 hit songs on SiriusXM, and has appeared on NPR, NBC, and HBO. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo veers wildly between being a trailblazer and having no idea where he’s going!

Debrissa McKinney is a vocalist and tenor saxophonist whose career spans nearly two decades of touring and recording. A featured artist on a Grammy-winning album, she has performed around the world and is known for her powerful voice, expressive musicianship, and commanding stage presence.

This Asheville-based Beastie Boys tribute band is a local supergroup featuring seasoned musicians from bands like Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Atmosphere, and Josh Phillips Feel Good. Led by Josh Phillips, Eli Cramer, and Philo Reitzel, they are known for their faithful, high-energy live recreations of entire Beastie Boys albums.

Chocolate KNDY is a rapper, singer-songwriter and live performer based in Charlotte, NC. Notable inspirations include Erykah Badu, The Notorious B.I.G. and Queen. KNDY’s subject matter is a testament to her diverse upbringing, and her lyrical style is equal parts thoughtful old-school and playful new-school. Her strong melodies and clever bars are sure to stand the test of time and remind us that there’s always something more to experience.