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Converge Music, Photography, Marvin Patterson Omari Salisbury Converge Music, Photography, Marvin Patterson Omari Salisbury

PHOTOS: Ludacris at The Fair Through the Lens of Marvin Patterson

The Washington State Fair stage exploded with energy as Ludacris delivered a show-stopping performance that had the entire crowd on its feet. The multi-talented rapper and actor blazed through his extensive catalog of hits with a charismatic stage presence and his signature rapid-fire flow.

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Converge Music, Converge Portland Mead Gill Converge Music, Converge Portland Mead Gill

PHOTOS: Portland Hip Hop Week 2025 through the lens of Dean Bechard

What a night! The 10th Annual PDX Hip Hop Week Star Awards set the Reser Center for the Arts on fire with culture, creativity, and community. Hosted by “Welcome to the Neighborhood, Radio Personality, DJ Klyph and produced by Co-Founder of PDX Hip Hop Week / Celebrity DJ, O.G.ONE, this wasn’t just a show — it was a movement.

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Converge PDX, Converge Portland, Converge Music Omari Salisbury Converge PDX, Converge Portland, Converge Music Omari Salisbury

A Decade of Culture: The 10th Annual Portland Hip-Hop Week!

Portland's vibrant hip-hop scene is gearing up for a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of Portland Hip-Hop Week. From August 20-26, 2025, the city will be buzzing with an extensive lineup of events celebrating the culture that has united communities and elevated local talent. This year promises to be the biggest and most comprehensive celebration yet.

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Converge Music Mead Gill Converge Music Mead Gill

Vic Daggs II: Building Momentum Inside Seattle and Outside the Box

The multi-faceted creative powerhouse Vic Daggs II has spent close to a decade making waves in music and fashion in Seattle and beyond. From momentous collaborations with Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Ghanian rapper M.anifest to the sultry conscious soul on his 2024 EP “Mental Hugs,” the 27-year-old artist has cemented himself as a mainstay in the miscellaneous sound of Pacific Northwest hip hop. 

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Back2Besa, Converge Music Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Converge Music Besa Gordon

From Staten Island to Thailand: Starda Talks Legacy, Music, and Starting a Party on Back2Besa

When artist and entrepreneur Starda pulled up to The Black Media Matters Studio and Back2Besa last May, it was his first time in Seattle—and what better way to make a debut than while in town for the Lil Wayne & Friends Tour. Fresh off the release of his project Start A Party with legendary producer Ron Browz, Starda sat down with Besa Gordon to talk about his journey from Staten Island cafeterias to international stages.

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Vitamin D and Let Them Create Seattle: Empowering the Next Generation of Artists

Derrick Brown, known to many as Vitamin D, recently shared his extensive music industry experience in an interview on "The Day With Trae" with guest host Deaunte Damper. With nearly 30 years in the Seattle music scene, Derrick discussed his journey from b-boying to becoming a renowned record producer, DJ, and audio engineer. He has made significant contributions to the music world, collaborating with artists such as Macklemore, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Snoop Dogg, and creating the iconic "Big Rich Town" theme song for the TV series Power.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

Navigating Music, Identity, and Authenticity: A Conversation with Amelia Day

Amelia Day, a queer folk rock powerhouse carving out her own space alongside legends like Brandi Carlile, has been chasing music since the days she banged on pots and pans as a toddler. Even back then, Day had a knack for making noise that turned heads (or at least caught her parents’ attention). By the time she was five, her fascination with the family’s upright piano blossomed into formal lessons, thanks to her parents, who were casual piano players themselves. Watching them play always lit a fire in her, and she was determined to create that same magic.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

TS the Solution: Spokane's Bridge-Builder and Dream-Chaser

Meet Devonte Pearson, better known in Spokane’s music scene as T.S the Solution—a name that embodies his journey and his vision. Born in Long Beach and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Pearson’s story is one of resilience, dreams, and a beat that never quits. He’s not just a hip-hop artist or an audio engineer; he’s a builder of bridges, a catalyst for collaboration, and the mentor he once wished for in his younger days.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

Julie-C: From Hip-Hop Prodigy to Activist and Community Builder in Seattle’s Creative Scene

At just 16 years old, Julie Chang Schulman, aka Julie-C, released her first professional project, “Welcome to my World” with the label Immaculate Flave, a bold entrance into Seattle’s Hip-Hop scene that hinted at her future as both an artist and an activist. But her journey didn’t start in the studio—it began at home, where music was more than a pastime; it was a bridge. With a father who was a musician on the autism spectrum, Julie-C learned early that music could be a powerful way to connect, communicate, and create meaning.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

The Rock Ballerina: Kimberly Nichole on Seattle Roots, New York Grit, and Finding Her Sound

Kimberly Nichole’s journey into rock music was a natural evolution. Early on, while collaborating with a producer who had a strong passion for rock, Nichole was introduced to iconic bands like The Doors, Green Day, and Foo Fighters. Although she had always enjoyed rock, especially being from Seattle, it was during this creative period that her love for the genre truly deepened. The producer also introduced her to blues records, broadening her musical palette.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

lostinlkwd!: From Past Projects to a Bold New Sound

In 2016, Brandon Phillips and Davon Revis first crossed paths on the set of a music video shoot. Davon had been brought in by a mutual contact to help with the production, a surprise to Brandon, as he hadn’t been informed. Despite the unexpected introduction, the two hit it off and quickly found common ground in their passion for music. Both artists were involved in separate music projects and groups at the time, but it wasn’t long before Davon joined Brandon’s team.

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