Featured Performer: Ashanti "The Mad Violinist" Floyd

Ashanti Floyd - "The Mad Violinist"

Ashanti Floyd, 26, is a talented performing artist who enjoys playing and composing many music genres including hip-hop, jazz, fusion rock, gospel, bluegrass and classical. Trained from an early age in the strings and percussion and having a mastery of music theory, he is considered a “melodic, rhythmic genius”. As the son of a violin-playing mother Patrice Floyd (Famu string professor), and father Dwight Floyd (Pianist & Famu graduate), Tallahassee native, Ashanti Floyd has been playing since age three and has become one of the most revered violin players. Since then he has gained valuable experience through formal and informal studies. Ashanti knew where he wanted to go to college and only applied to one school, the Berklee College of Music. His audition gained him a scholarship and an opportunity of a lifetime. After two semesters he had recorded and performed original compositions with his own rock band, and assisted with the arranging and recording of hip-hop music for other artists such as child hood friend T-Pain, producers Kane Beatz, The Justice League and Mala. He has performed as principal violinist for the Berklee College Orchestra performing with artists such as Michael Brecker and Darrel Anger.

Currently, Ashanti currently is signed to Kane Beatz production team The Building APG/Atlantic Records. The Building is most known for song Bed Rock ft. Lil Wayne and Young Money which hit #2 on the Billboard charts this year. The aspiring artists talent has been recognized, featured, and requested by some of the music industry’s chart toppers such as Fantasia (American idol winner), Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, David Banner, Sean Kingston, Britney Spears Foundation, T-Pain, Mario, 50 Cent, Young Buck, BET’s 106 & Park and many more . While mastering 8 instruments, and playing up to 30, Ashanti has become one of the top track men in the country. Ashanti has worked with many award winning producers such as Kawan Prather & Malay, The Justice League, Needlz, Music is My Business, C Note, Deezel, and many more.