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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

All she does is Wynne: Portland's rising rap star

When 12-year-old Sina Holwerda told her parents she wanted to be a rapper, they didn’t expect it to stick. After 15 years, the now 27-year-old Holwerda, known by her middle name “Wynne,” clearly had the right idea. The Lake Oswego-raised University of Oregon grad is a rapidly rising hip-hop star based in Portland.

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Omari Salisbury Omari Salisbury

Columbia City Beat Walk: A South Seattle Block Party Like No Other

The Columbia City Beat Walk, a vibrant celebration of community, art, and culture, took place this month in the heart of Seattle's South End. This lively event, now in its third decade and produced by the visionary Trish Gallow, has become a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike.

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Back2Besa, The Day With Trae Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, The Day With Trae Omari Salisbury

Trae Holiday Uplifts Federal Way Black Pioneers on Good Day Seattle

Trae Holiday, who is the current guest host of Back2Besa as well as host of her own show, The Day With Trae, joined Erin Mayovsky on the set of FOX 13’s Good Day Seattle this morning for a sneak preview of this weekend episode of Back2Besa in which TraeAnna highlighted a recent Black History Event celebrated in the City of Federal Way which acknowledged the city’s early Black pioneers.

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Converge Music Lorcan Stokes Converge Music Lorcan Stokes

Tony Ozier: The Multi-instrumentalist Talks Becoming A Portland Funk Pioneer

Tony Ozier, a Chicago-born, Texas-raised, and now Portland-based musician, was born destined for a life in music. With a family deeply rooted in lyrical traditions—his grandfather a gospel musician and his father, aunt, and uncles all singers—Ozier's path seemed preordained. Today, he stands as a prominent figure in Portland's dynamic music scene known for his blend of soul, funk, and multi-instrumental tracks. Although initially interested in pursuing a basketball career, life had different plans after the dream ended. 

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Omari Salisbury Omari Salisbury

TDUB's Out-of-this-World Gift for Missy Elliott

Seattle was recently graced by the presence of a very special performer. The "Out of This World Tour Experience" featuring TIMBALAND, BUSTA Rhymes, Ciara, and first-time headliner Missy Elliott made its second stop at Climate Pledge Arena. Converge Media's very own Art Queen TDUB created a special gift for the tour's headliner to celebrate the monumental arrival.

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Press Releases, Events Omari Salisbury Press Releases, Events Omari Salisbury

Seattle Opera to Premiere "Jubilee," a World Premiere Opera Celebrating the Fisk Jubilee Singers

This October, Seattle Opera will premiere "Jubilee," a groundbreaking work by writer and director Tazewell Thompson that celebrates the inspiring story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. This ensemble of Black American singers broke barriers and transformed music history with their powerful performances of spirituals.

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The Day With Trae, Health & Wellness Omari Salisbury The Day With Trae, Health & Wellness Omari Salisbury

From Beats to Broccoli: Keith Tucker's Hip Hop is Green Revolution

In a recent interview on The Day With Trae, Keith Tucker, founder of Hip Hop is Green, discussed his organization's mission to promote health and wellness as the tenth element of hip-hop. Tucker, a long-time activist and hip-hop enthusiast, was inspired to found Hip Hop is Green after learning about the negative impacts of chemicals in the food system on Black and Brown communities.

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Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg Converge Music Emma Schwichtenberg

Seattle’s Ro'Nae on the Rhythms and Roots of Her Art

Ro'Nae Ruffer has been a part of Seattle’s musical landscape since her youth. She found her voice singing Mariah Carey covers, inspired by the rhythmic melodies filling her home. Music was a family affair, with her mother’s love for R&B and her father’s penchant for rap shaping her eclectic taste. This early immersion in diverse genres laid the foundation for Ro'Nae’s unique style, blending the soulful allure of R&B with the energetic cadence of rap.

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The Day With Trae, Trae Holiday Emma Schwichtenberg The Day With Trae, Trae Holiday Emma Schwichtenberg

Alaia D'Alessandro on The Art of Adaptability in Music Production and Studio Design

Recently host Trae Holiday was joined by Alaia D’Alessandro on The Day with Trae. D’Alessandro is the head of production at Converge Media, as well as a member of the band Little Venom. She came on the show to talk about her experiences in music production, and the importance of troubleshooting and adapting to different environments. 

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Back2Besa, We Live In Color, Health & Wellness Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, We Live In Color, Health & Wellness Omari Salisbury

Deaunte Damper: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Finding Community

It was an emotional final day last week at Converge Media’s Black Media Matters Studio as Deaunte Damper taped his final episode as guest host of Back2Besa. Converge Media has been a source of healing and growth for many, including Deaunte Damper, who recently shared his personal journey after his final taping of Back2Besa, where he has been filling in as guest host during Besa Gordon’s leave to focus on her health.  Deaunte expressed the difficulty in overcoming personal struggles and the courage it took to face them head-on.

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