Nationwide, youth who never knew violins existed are picking up the instrument and learning to play. Many are seen on YouTube and Facebook imitating the artist known as The Mad Violinist.  From his upbringing and throughout the development of his career, Ashante Floyd, also known as Ashanti or the Mad Violinist, has inspired, enchanted, and enthralled many.  In the release of his latest album, The Addiction, featuring his own, the Symphony Crack Orchestra, he shares his love for music and his captivating raw talent on the violin.     Working with production teams such as Kane Beatz, the Justice League, and K Prather and Malay, he has not only produced, but also been featured on hits like Lupe Fiasco’s The Show Goes On, I’m the Best by Nicki Minaj and Fantasia’s Move on Me.  His first solo production was I’m High which was featured on T-Pain’s album Rappa-Ternt-Sanga in 2006.  Not stuck on any one genre, he has also co-produced for the likes of John Legend, Birdman, Little Wayne, Jamie Fox, Trey Songz and Young Jeezy. With such credits one would expect him to have a multi-million dollar contract with a major record label. Refusing to “dumb down” his music he has chosen instead to stay true to himself by releasing The Addiction on his own.  His goal, as he puts it is to “put musicians back to work” by reigniting the once vast appreciation for live instrumentals as opposed to the digital recordings that listeners have gotten used to.   Everyone who has seen Oprah’s final shows became aware of the Morehouse men she influenced.  Because of her, many of them found success through education.  In tennis there is Venus and Serena, who brought the sport of tennis to so many kids that otherwise, never would have considered the game. Before he had a fan base and a career in music production, Ashante inspired the likes of Taylor Swift and the many kids who learned from him during their annual visits to the Britany Spears Performing Arts Summer Camp in Boston, Massachusetts. Mentored by blues artist Charlie Atkins, Ashante became skilled in teaching children who knew little to nothing about music how to play an instrument.   Annually, Ashante makes the trip to his home town of Tallahassee, Florida where he participates in the Javacya Arts Summer Camp, located in the heart of an urban community struggling with crime and poverty.  As an instructor and performing artist Ashante teaches the camp participants how to perform on stringed and percussion instruments. This past summer, so that they could show off their classical and improvisational skills, teen twins Kalon and Kayla Williams anxiously awaited Ashante’s arrival. They were not alone in their apprehension as versatile and flourishing seven year olds India McCary and Joycelyn Price, who both play multiple instruments including the violin and viola eagerly looked for The Mad Violinist.   These seven year old musicians were recently among international artists at the summer music camp in Interlochen, Michigan where they achieved first and second chair.  They were also featured in an NPR interview that focused on the sacrifices made by artists and families to attend summer music camps.  The Mad Violinist is the “famous artist” whom these two seven year old musicians aspire to emulate. Ashante’s latest album, The Addiction, emanates from the heart and soul of an artist who intimately shares a love of music, life, and people. The Addiction by the Mad Violinist and the Symphony Crack Orchestra is now available worldwide through Amazon, iTunes, and other online music stores.  The Addiction shares a consummate musicianship with a passion that conveys why Ashante Floyd is called The Mad Violinist.

• published: 24 May 2012
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