Ashanti Floyd, 22, is a talented artist who enjoys performing, composing, and producing many music genre including hip-hop, jazz, fusion rock, gospel, bluegrass, country, and classical. Trained since the age of three in the strings and percussion and having a mastery of music theory, he is considered a "melodic, rhythmic genius." As a young teen he had the pleasure of attending music camps at Suwannee, Tennessee, Interlochen, Michigan, Luzerne in New York, and the Credenza in London, England. Under his mother's tutelage he practiced and performed on his primary instrument, the viola, and his secondary instrument the violin. Influenced by Davis and Carter, gospel music, and his admiration for Jimmie Hendrix, his experience with improvisation eventually led to his mastery of Hip Hop/Fusion on the strings. It can be said that he is likely the "original" Hip Hop violinist. He appeared live on BET's 106 and Park giving an audience stirring, original rendition. He performed at the grand opening of the VIP at the B.B. King Blues Club in Nashville Tennessee, and in addition performed with many greats such as BB King, Kirk Whalum, Actor Steven Segal, Wynona Judd, Vince Gill, Charlie Atkins, Stephen Cropper and more. In his own recording studio he has produced his first two albums, performing most of the instrumental parts. Other recent credits include compositions for J-Luv (Rikki Tikki) and recording and production for T. Pain (Jive). He is arranging and producing for a stable of Hip Hop and contemporary gospel artists as an emeriging industry producer and artist. Check out Ashanti @ his website, www.themadviolinist.com