Independent hip-hop artist Kota the Friend is closing the final stretch of his No Rap on Sunday Tour with a special guest: violinist, DJ, MC, and producer Phearnone. The two New Yorkers will perform together in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, before ending the run in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 16—a hometown finale that also coincides with Kota’s birthday.
Tickets are available at KotaTheFriend.com/Tour
This is not the first time Kota and Phearnone have teamed up. The duo previously shared the stage during TEDx Portland, where they fused violin and hip-hop in a groundbreaking performance. Phearnone also contributed to Once In A Blue Moon, Kota’s collaborative album with Statik Selektah.
Reflecting on their partnership, Phearnone said, “It’s always a blessing when you get to collaborate with an artist you have great synergy with. Having worked with Kota before both in the studio, for his Once In A Blue Moon album, and on stage, I know we’ll be able to cook up something special for the last leg of the tour.”
He added, “Kota and I have a lot in common. We’re both New Yorkers, musicians, lyricists, and independent artists. What I’m most inspired by with Kota is how he’s cracked the code on what success as an independent artist can look like…making music of substance, developing other streams of income, and really connecting with fans. The more we work together, the more I see him navigating the business part of all of this while still maintaining the integrity of the art and being his authentic self.”
Born Shayshahn MacPherson in The Bronx, Phearnone has built a career that crosses genres and defies boundaries. A classically trained violinist, his musical background spans Classical, Jazz, West African, Hip Hop, Reggae, House, and R&B.
His career highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall at age 12, touring with Wu-Tang Clan on The Final Chamber, and collaborations with music icons Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Big Daddy Kane, Roy Ayers, GZA, and Lettuce. He has also earned recognition from The Washington Times and won an Emmy for his composition and string work on Vote.
Kota the Friend expressed his excitement for the final shows: “Phearnone is one of those rare artists who can move effortlessly across genres and still bring it back home to hip-hop. Having him with me for these last shows makes it even more special.”
“We’ve already shared moments that felt bigger than music, from TEDx Portland to the Once In A Blue Moon sessions. Ending this tour together, especially in Brooklyn on my birthday, feels like everything coming full circle,” Kota added. “When Phearnone touches the violin, you feel it in your chest. It’s soul, its energy, it’s something different. I can’t wait for fans to experience that live on this tour.”
The No Rap on Sunday Tour has already covered 16 cities. With its final stops in Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, and Brooklyn, Kota promises to deliver a powerful close rooted in artistry, independence, and hometown pride.
Tickets for the final shows are available at KotaTheFriend.com/Tour