88 Killa is a Fort Worth-based hip-hop lyricist leaving his imprint on the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene. He was once a member of Brain Gang, a late-2000s influential punk-rap group that contributed to the elevation of Dallas' music scene. He was formerly known as Killa MC. In his award-winning 2016 EP, 88 BPM, which garnered praise from many music industry outlets, he showcased his affection for Fort Worth through his lyricism backed by funk-influenced production. Known for his charismatic personality and local fanbase, 88 Killa has been nominated for awards such as the Dallas Observer Music Awards for Best Rap Hip/Hop Act.
Grady Spencer & the Work is an American groove-based rock and roll band from Fort Worth, Texas. Born and bred out of the sweat and blood stemming from decades of manual labor, the band channels years of music experiences into a tasty soup of country, pop and rock music. Consisting of Grady Spencer on guitar and vocals, Johnny Hatcher on bass/vocals/keys, Tyler Martin on lead guitar and Jesse Fox on drums/percussion, the group has been touring from San Diego to Manhattan over the past few years. The live shows are a spectacle of tightly wound arrangements and harmonies mixed with heart string-pulling love songs about family and friends.
Kendi Jean is a Fort Worth-based Americana songwriter and performing artist. She is currently the JMA Americana Female Artist of the Year and joined the Texas music scene in 2020. The Smokeshow, Kendi's velvety band moniker, adds superb musicianship to the award-winning songwriting and an undeniable rock-roots performance quality. Her single "Your Eyes Are Lyin''" charted in the top 50 on the Texas Country Music Chart & spent Two weeks at NUMBER 1 on the Texas internet Radio Chart! Kendi has now seen 14of her songs onto the Texas charts since her debut, A Real Good handful, released in April of 2020.
Hilary Tipps and Steve Obermiller, a dynamic musical duo, have captivated audiences with their heartfelt songwriting and emotive performances. Their latest release, "MacGuffin" (2024), showcases a collection of songs co-written by the pair, following the success of their debut album, "Love (and Other Mysteries)" (2023). Tight vocal and guitar harmonies, folksy wisdom and unabashed emotional vocabulary combine with craft and charisma to create this unexpectedly magnetic experience.
Their journey as artists has been deeply intertwined with their personal lives; the couple met and married in 2012, navigating the challenges of caring for sick parents, raising teenagers, and pursuing graduate studies and career changes over the next several years. In 2022, they made the decision to fully commit to songwriting and performing, marking a new chapter in their journey. After taking a break from releasing records to further refine their craft, Tipps and Obermiller are currently in preproduction for their third album.