Lioness aka Lady Sphinx is a Pittsburgh, PA native and Virginia Tech graduate who was raised all over the world. She now calls the DMV home. This unique perspective has shaped her outlook on life and her bars. Her razor-sharp wit combined with unique wordplay and flow make her a standout among a sea of soundalikes. Her ability to keep her old school emcee sensibilities while keeping her sound fresh is unique in today’s climate. Her music is a testimony to staying true to one’s self without being stagnant.

She has released 2 full projects, Class of 2001 and Substance over Swag (SOS), as well as numerous singles and remixes. All are available for free download on www.emceelioness.com. She also has been featured on countless artists’ projects.

Lioness is currently a member of the Go-Go band The Guess Who Band and is working on a new EP. She has released the first single I’d Rather ft. Jay Mills on all major streaming platforms.

Creative producer, hip-hop artist, and writer, Sum, has carved a visionary approach to music and business, often melding the two into new models years before they pop. The two-time Independent Music Award nominee’s music has appeared in Saints Row and dozens of TV shows, including Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy. As a writer, Sum’s pen and thought process is also a high powered gun-for-hire. Some of this era's most impactful creators, platforms and agencies have leaned on his inventive approach to concepting and experience design. He also leans heavily into activism work as Creative Director in Residence for the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, where he aims creative teams at dismantling harmful policing structures. He fronts his space-funk band, The Milky Way, but as a soloist, his latest project "LANDSPEEDR" explores design and multimedia storytelling. While developing new projects for TV, he continues to perfect his blue ribbon macaroni & cheese, which is currently being studied for its medicinal properties and anti-aging effects.

La’ Portia J. Perkins, M.S. or Mama P, is a Tampa born-Virginia raised artist and analyst. She served VTDITC Creative Director, University Libraries’ Community Engagement Program Specialist, and while attaining her Masters of Science degree in Forestry from Virginia Tech in 2020. She recently began as a Senior Program Coordinator with Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management department serving out of the Bell Creek Nature Preserve in Riverview, Florida. She proudly uses poetry, art, music, storytelling, and connection to achieve understanding and propel abstract thought in natural spaces in her work and everyday life. She takes pride in the bass and uniqueness of the South and the electricity of the DMV. She has been singing and rapping as a solo artist since the age of 15 and released her 1st mixtape on SoundCloud titled “Passion Fruit” in 2013. Her newest EP “Garden” was released August,29th 2021; it followed up her first EP “E.A.R.T.H,” which was released in Summer 2019. All of her music has been produced or co-produced by VTDITC artists and/or family friends. Her poem “America” was featured in inaugural volume of Roots & Resettlement Digital Series last year. Her life’s work is dedicated to three major things: writing, community, and music which she hopes will never change.

Known for his work with Black Star, a hip hop group comprised of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Dr. Rawls contributed production on “Brown Skin Lady” and “Yo, Yeah,” which placed him on the map among independent hip hop producers. The album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was critically acclaimed as one of the best albums of 1998 and was a major force in the late-1990s underground hip hop explosion. Dr. Rawls has also worked with artists such as Dose One, Domo Genesis (Odd Future), Capital Steez (Pro Era), Beastie Boys, Slum Village, El Da Sensei, Sadat X, Count Bass D, Grand Agent, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Us3, and Moka Only. Dr. Rawls has released three solo albums, and contributed to the NEO-SOUL movement producing the likes of Aloe Blacc, Eric Roberson, Dudley Perkins, and many others. Fusing jazz and hip hop, (coining the term “Jazz-Hop”) his 2006 work with The Liquid Crystal Project led to national acclaim for his collaboration with B-Jazz, Rob Riley, Eddie Bayard and Charles Cooper and their tribute to the legendary producer J Dilla. His Columbus-based production company and record label continues to make an impact in the national hip hop scene, and he is in high demand as a DJ for top clubs and private functions around the country.

Dr. Rawls is also featured presenter for the Places of Invention, Bronx NY exhibit that opened in July of 2015, at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. In this exhibit, a virtual J Rawls walks visitors through the nuances of how to scratch and mix on a replica turntable.

Dr. Rawls holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in education from Ashland University, and an Educational Doctorate in Educational Administration from Ohio University. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio and has presented workshops on the music industry, Hip-Hop Education and beat making at several major universities around the country. He also has over 15 years of K-12 teaching experience.

Virginia Tech alum Dumi Right, is a performing artist, MC, and songwriter, who has been recognized as a standard bearer in global and progressive hip hop circles for many years. He was first introduced to audiences during hip hop’s golden age as a member of Zimbabwe Legit, one of the first African hip hop groups to gain international recognition. His influence has been documented in the domestic and international mass media from Billboard, to the Source, Hip Hop Connection, Waxpoetics, as well as in academic works of hip hop history, including Say It Loud! The Story of Rap Music by K. Maurice Jones and The Hip Hop Wars by Tricia Rose.

In the years since, he has remained immersed in the culture and business of hip-hop, releasing a number of noteworthy album projects and performing all across the country and on the world stage. Following his most recent critically acclaimed album, Doing It the Right Way he has plans for another impactful new album this year. 

Dumi has frequently served as an organizer and curator for several events involving music, arts and culture, interacting with organizations and artists from a wide variety of different countries. He was the executive producer and a featured artist on a recently released global compilation, Stop Shooting Vol. 1, that included emcees from over 20 countries addressing issues of gun violence and police brutality. He has also been invited to speak and perform for classes and panel discussions at colleges including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Howard University, George Washington University, American University and Virginia Tech University.

His craft is steeped in classic hip-hop styles, with thought-provoking lyrics and poignant wordplay over a backdrop of captivating beats from some of the underground’s finest producers. His catalog includes collaborations with artists from across the globe as well as notable US hip-hop luminaries, including the likes of the Jungle Brothers, Chubb Rock, Vast Aire, Dead Prez, YZ, Prince Po, Breez Evahflowin’, C Rayz Walz and more.

At the age of 15, Peter Agoston started DJing on WUVT in 1994. During the height of his tenure at the station Agoston became known for playing many hip-hop artists unsigned as well as unknown. He would later be hired at the first online hip-hop record store, NYC's SandboxAutomatic. In the late 90's he concurrently started the only independently produced hip-hop music video magazine (Culturama) as well as boutique-imprint Female Fun Records. His label is known for birthing the celebrated Special Herbs instrumental series by MF DOOM. Years later, his respected podcast The House List would host its 100th episode with what many consider DOOM's career defining interview. Alongside DāM-FunK, Agoston would pioneer the trending genre Modern-Funk together anchored by their label Glydezone Recordings. Now, Agoston is known as the preeminent live-touring booking agent to some of YouTube gaming and animation's largest talents, including Game Grumps, Jacksepticeye and Scribble Showdown. But DJing in clubs and on the radio is still his favorite hobby.