Saturday July 17 3:00 PM
SummerStage
Central Park, New York, NY
Award-winning songwriting/producer/performer Raphael Saadiq brings new meaning to old soul.
Giant Step is back with its annual SummerStage event at New York City’s Central Park with headliner Raphael Saadiq, Aloe Blacc, TK Wonder and DJ Vikter Duplaix. Giants Step has presented many memorable shows including Femi Kuti, Jamie Lidell, Janelle Monaé, Seu Jorge and Gilles Peterson at SummerStage. Last year was one of the best with live performances by Q-Tip, Little Dragon, Chester French, and DJ Benji B. This year Giant Step will also be celebrating its 20th anniversary year.
Raphael Saadiq, founder of hybrid super group Lucy Pearl, member and producer of Tony! Toni! Toné!, as well as acclaimed producer of artists like D’Angelo, Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend – is a powerful force in the contemporary musical landscape. His debut solo album in 2002, Instant Vintage, was the first independent release to receive 5 Grammy nominations. His second solo album, The Way I See It, released in 2008, garnered rave reviews, earning 3 Grammy nominations, and was voted Best Album of 2008 on iTunes.
Southern California native Aloe Blacc began his recording career as an MC back in 1995, when he joined up with hip-hop producer Exile to form the mainstay indie rap group, Emanon. He has been recently recognized for his hit single, “I Need A Dollar” which is the theme song to HBO’s How To Make It In America. His upcoming album Good Things will be out later this year on Stones Throw Records.
TK Wonder’s notable skill for writing and “slamming” lyrics in a unique hip hop/spoken word fashion seems to create a new genre with a significant electro punch. Having polished her craft at the legendary Sunday night Black Lily events hosted by The Roots, and going on to perform at Def Jam showcases, Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe and Nell’s, TK Wonder has opened for artists such as Nas, Erykah Badu, Duffy, Talib Kweli and J*Davey.
Vikter Duplaix. a Philadelphia native, began his career early studying music and singing in touring choirs with legendary artists such as Teddy Pendergrass and Luciano Pavarotti. He honed his DJ skills with Philly legends Jazzy Jeff and King Britt, and is a founding member of Philly’s Axis Music Group, a music production house shared with Grammy award winner James Poyser and executive Chauncey Childs.
FREE!