Sly5thAve's, 23 May 2026 live at BIRD, Rotterdam

Sly5thAve sits right between hip-hop, soul and jazz. His sound comes from hip-hop but thinks like jazz: grooves that keep rolling, space for improvisation and melodies with feeling. Inspired by artists like Roy Hargrove, Quincy Jones and Cannonball Adderley, his music sounds modern while staying connected to its roots.

You might know him from his own projects, as saxophonist in Ghost-Note, or through collaborations with Alfa Mist, Marlon Craft and Questlove. He has performed at SXSW Austin, worked with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and brought the music of Dr. Dre to the stage with a 30-piece orchestra for thousands of people in LA. Classic Sly5thAve: hip-hop energy, big ideas.

Sly5thAve is a Grammy Award winner and has collaborated with artists such as Quantic, Jamie Leeming, Steven Bamidele and Alina Bzhezhinska, as well as legends like Prince, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight. This show focuses on his original compositions and reworkings.

For fans of: El Michels Affair, Theo Croker, Makaya McCraven, Terrace Martin, Kamaal Williams, KOKOROKO & Alfa Mist.