2025 Black Onyx Management Soundstage performers

 

Okara Imani leads a rolling collective of musicians and songwriters that centers Love, Blackness, Queerness, and womanhood. Sharing the honor to perform with Ke’ara Sanders, Lorenzo Davis, Wavy Blayne, and Sarah McCrary since about 2019.
Her mission as an artist is rooted in a continuously developing understanding of self, thus fostering a larger capacity for understanding and appreciating the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of fellow humans.
As such, she strives to fully and authentically express that sense of self in ways that are aurally and aesthetically beautiful and moving, so that those listening can tap into the freeing acknowledgement and acceptance of our shared reality. Always, this is a reminder and assurance of our connectivity and the fallacy of being alone in your experiences of this world.
Seeing ourselves reflected in art forms is something that has impacted humans for centuries, and Okara has been gifted with and honed a craft in the those arts, fulfilling a mission to fulfill this small destiny for the incremental nourishment of the universe.
Weirdo Gang is a unique collective consisting of three talented artists: Flip A Rachee, Ayara Senoj, and TK TheGrate. Individually, they are already impressive, but when they come together, they become the embodiment of heart, mind, and soul in the world of entertainment. Weirdo Gang’s mission is to spread love and positivity in this chaotic world through their music. Weirdo Gang (Weirdo Gang Apparel) was not originally anything other than a clothing brand prior to becoming the vibe it is today.
The Trio have known each other through social media for years but did not become acquainted until they all started recording at Jupe Productions. Soon after an opportunity arose for them to perform in four states as solo artists. At the very last show in LA, a former A&R rep who organized the event, approached and complimented them on their performances. His words were “Individually you guys are amazing but putting you all three together on one set… you would be unstoppable”. Thus Weirdo Gang was born. Each artist brings their own distinct style, drive, and talent to the table, creating an unstoppable force that leaves a lasting impact on their audience. They are truly the providers of vibes, leaving you with an unforgettable experience every time.
Indianapolis rapper Fazle has a knack for getting an audience energized. In particular, he will never forget the time he transformed a rather stationary Emerson Theater into an utter madhouse while opening up for the artist Pouya.
 
Having consistently released music over the last several years, Fazle most recently dropped his latest project, Grxck: Tragedy, in late December. The second part of a multi-act project, Grxck: Tragedy is the follow-up to Grxck: Circus and follows the story of a fictional clown character Fazle created after finding inspiration from renowned Swiss clown Grock.

T.G.I.FREE, short for Thank God It’s Free, He is an artist born and raised on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis. He’s been doing music since he was young, Freestyling over beats created by his big brother Free’s music is a combination of different sounds that a lot of people can relate to on many levels. Growing up on the Far East side of Indianapolis, Free has been through and experienced things that he can talk about freely in his music. T.G.I.FREE’s energy and stage presence is what grabbed the attention of the audience and made them gravitate towards his unique sound.

Kyndl, hailing from the Far Eastside of Indianapolis, Indiana, is an emcee, singer/songwriter, and podcast host. Also a proud college graduate, Kyndl is known for her raw storytelling and thought-provoking lyricism, blending soulful melodies with hip hop grit. She gained national attention during the inaugural season of Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” and continues to make waves with high-profile performances, including All-Star Weekend with Chreece, opening for artists like Midwxst, and captivating audiences on platforms such as Fox59 and the Indiana State Fair.

Kiana Flowers is one of the top Hip Hop and Spoken Word performance, writer, and recording artists in Indianapolis, Indiana. This “mind heavy” musical artist believes that both words and music and it’s vibrational frequency is a key that opens the door for universal communications and connections.

Born and raised on the far east side on Indianapolis with deep roots in Queens, NY, and NY culture as a whole; FADED was exposed to different types of music that helped expand his personal sound and creativity. With notable placement on NBA 2k21 as well as performances and appearances all over the country; FADED is a force to be reckoned with.

FUQUA is a dynamic artist from Indianapolis, Indiana, known for his powerful presence in the world of theatre and performing arts. Combining a passion for storytelling with his remarkable vocal talents, FUQUA has become a standout figure, captivating audiences with performances that blend theatricality and musical depth. As a singer-songwriter, FUQUA has released several notable projects, each reflecting his unique voice and lyrical prowess. His latest singles, “Witches”and “Vegas (Right There)” featuring Montez Lafayette, have garnered attention for their excellent production quality and artistic sophistication.Building on his success in both music and theatre, FUQUA is now preparing to record and release a full-length album by the end of 2025. This highly anticipated project will showcase his evolution as an artist, blending his theatrical roots with modern musical influences to create a body of work that is both innovative and deeply personal. With his roots in Indianapolis and a growing presence on the national stage, FUQUA continues to push the boundaries of his craft, making him a rising star in the music industry and a beloved figure in the performing arts community.
Lakshmi Symone Rae is a professional Model, Actress & *New* Music Artist from Indianapolis, Indiana with a goal to raise the vibration of humanity through music. Following a spiritual awakening during the pandemic of 2020, Lakshmi has be lead to take her career in the direction of awakening others by sharing her light. Utilizing binaural beats and new age visuals she has ascended to the music scene sharing positive messages and promoting enlightenment and manifestation by example. Her music incorporates spiritual truths with her love for drill rap in a way that is fresh and unique. Her first year in the industry was calculated with the release of several singles and a plethora of live performances around Indy, cumulating in a full EP of spiritual manifestation affirmations celebrating the rise of the divine feminine in the new age of Aquarius. She is definitely going up to the high places with inspiration from the realm of the divine so if you wanna rise with the vibes enter the merkaba and let’s ride! Check out the EP, Talk Pretty To Me on all of the major platforms and join her mailing list to keep informed of her upcoming performances.

This year, stepping in behind the turntables, we have a certified gold replacement that is truly head and shoulders above the competition, pun intended. Introducing our new DJ for the 2025 Melanin in May® Festival, the REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED SPIN WARZ CHAMPION< DeeJay TopKnotch!!! Driven by a deep passion for music and exceptional customer service, I focus on understanding your vision and delivering a vibe that’s tailored to your needs. From old-school classics to the latest hits, he knowa how to blend genres and keep the dance floor alive all night. When you book Deejay TopKnotch, you’re not just getting a DJ; you’re getting a partner dedicated to making your event extraordinary.