Artist description We are 2 voices and whatever instruments are necessary.Blair writes the music and lyrics and both sing.Though it is acoustic guitar based,at least for now, the influences are vast and draw from folk, blues, jazz, hip-hop, trip-hop, and rock. The guitar,for the most part is basic, sometimes sparse.As for the voices-Afeni studied as a jazz vocal performance major at Howard University and you can hear all that and more in her interpretations of the songs. Blair has had classical vocal training but most of that has been enveloped by a mix of breathy softness and hard grit. A show may consist of African folk songs, country, jazz, rock, madrigals, poetry...all and nothing is sacred with Blair/Afeni Ngozi Hill.

Music Style Urban Folk- Acoustic folk music that captures the soul of the city.

Musical Influences Tricky, Nina Simone, Dylan

Similar Artists Tracy Chapman,

Artist History Blair and Afeni met while working as clerks at a food co-op in Detroit's Cass Corridor area. Both were solo performers who sometimes did shows together.They first collaborated on the Blair penned Round the Corner. With Afeni's jazz and scat performance of the song,the 2 decided to expand their collective repertoire as well as theinstrumentation, at times. Through performances, they met and teamed up with new and old friendssuch as Ian LeBlanc and Dale Wilson both featuredon the songs here as well as others from aroundthe Detroit music scene.

Group Members Blair- Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Lyrics, and MusicAfeni Ngozi Hill- VocalsIan LeBlanc- Acoustic Upright BassDale Wilson- Acoustic Guitar

Instruments Acoustic guitars, Upright bass.

Albums Urban Folk- coming December 2, 2000

Press Reviews The Eerily Exciting Sound Of 'Urban Folk'By Jason MichaelSimultaneously haunting and soothing,mellow andmoving,jagged and smooth,theirs is the sound of thestreet.If the steam rising up from the sewer gratescould speak to you,or if the pulse of the downtownpavement could sing you a song,it would sound likeBlair/Afeni Ngozi Hill."We call it 'urban folk,'which is actually going to bethe name of the CD,"said Blair,one half of the duothat consists of two vocals and a guitar. "It'ssomething that caught on when I was trying to think ofa name for the sound."But if naming the sound took concentration,producingit did not. Blair and Afeni had a natural chemistry,aswas evidenced by anyone who heard their early musicalramblings last year. Within weeks of their firstrehearsals,they were performing around Wayne State(University). From there they went on to gigs atLavender Moon,Xhedos and the Rainbow Room."Ithink our music is evolving kind of quickly,"saidBlair. "We've done folk songs. We do stuff borderingon blues and jazz."Still,regardlessof the genre they visit,the themes arethe same."We write about things that we know," Blair explained,"like the ghosts of the ghetto,rebellion andrevolution,sex,good parties,good music and DJs."Yes,the duo may be socially conscious,but they'recapable of pure silliness as well. It comes across inthe chemistry between the two on stage. Onemoment,they're tugging at your heart strings, and thenext they're just pulling your leg."I just want to be as big as Elvis,that's all," saidAfeni,whosewide smile serves as the segue between theheavy and the humorous.As diverse as their influences-which range from TracyChapman to Tricky,and Bob Dylan to DinahWashington-Blair and Afeni are themselves,attimes,opposites."We're different,but being black,queer andrevolutionary is something that we have in common,"(says Hill).So the duo comes together to blend beautifully,andthey fuse their heroes into a sound distinctly theirown. It's sensual, but one wonders whether or not it'spolitically correct to think of them as sexy. It's theblues,jazz,folk and even hip hop,and yet it's reallynone of these things at all.But what can't be denied is that it's a sound worthyof being heard. Blair and Afeni have produced a sixsong CD,recorded live at Bittersweet (Coffeehouse),atthe encouragement of fans and DJs,who've asked fortheir music. Now,the duo has scheduled a benefit forthis Saturday to help cover the cost.We have the master," said Blair. "We just need enoughmoney to make copies of it so we can sell it."Consisting of all original songs,and including acouple of friends backing them with an acoustic guitarand upright bass, the CD still contains the edge forwhich the duo has become known. And it looks like theperfect instrument to take Urban Folk to themainstream.Written by Jason Michael for Between The Linesnewspaper Sept.21-27,2000

Location detroit, MI - USA

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