The PitchBlak Brass Band Playlist Event Series: Soul Khan Edition [Recap, Photos]

One of the great things about New York hip-hop is that at many live performances, you can find a mixture of styles or a blending of genres that don’t always fit the traditional mold.

While The Big Apple is still known for creating rap that carries traditional ‘boom-bap’ DNA, there are a universe of influences in this city that, on any given day, can tug on its hip-hop soul with the force of a hundred different moons.

One prime example of this phenomenon has been the PitchBlak Playlist event series. This monthly event showcases some of NY’s premier rap wordsmiths backed by progressive musical cohort, the PitchBlak Brass Band. This outfit merges hip-hop with a NOLA-styled orchestra, resulting in powerful, unique renditions of the featured artists’ works.

Fans of music have been left reeling at the verbal prowess of artists like Rabbi Darkside, Silent Knight and JSWISS when amplified by the metallic might of band’s collective talent.

In the most recent edition, the force of the music was matched by the force of Soul Khan, a veteran of hip-hop’s independent landscape. Soul Khan is a thoughtful and clever emcee with a powerful voice and precise delivery that leaves listeners rapt when he performs. Throwing the soulful, renowned vocalist Akie Bermiss into the mix created a truly memorable blend of music, and yet another example of why the PitchBlak Playlist is always a must-see event.

Catch a reprise of the PitchBlak Brass Band x Rabbi Darkside at this year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival. Info/tickets here.

The PitchBlak Playlist is presented by HYPNOCRAFT, and takes place on the last Sunday of every month at The Manhattan Inn, located at 632 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn.

For more information on the PitchBlak Brass band or the PitchBlak Playlist, visit www.pitchblakbrassband.com

All photos courtesy of Bruce Kung.