Summer wouldn't be Summer here in New York City without Giant Step's annual Summerstage show. Over the years we presented artists such as Fela Kuti, Lamb, Jamie Lidell, Janelle Monaé, Gilles Peterson, and Cinematic Orchestra. Last year was one of our best with live performances by Q-Tip, Little Dragon and Chester French.

This year we are honored to have legendary producer and artist Raphael Saadiq, a live performance by an artist to look out for Aloe Blacc, special guest TK Wonder w/ Moodswing Orchestra, and DJ Vikter Duplaix.

Raphael Saadiq is a true one man show. He learned to play guitar, drums and bass by the age of six, was singing with a professional gospel group at nine and toured with Prince and Sheila E. upon graduating from high school. He was one of the original members of the hit group Tony! Toni! Toné!, and has produced hits for Artists such as Joss Stone, D'Angelo, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and many more.

His debut solo album in 2002, Instant Vintage, was the first independent release to receive 5 Grammy nominations. His second solo album, The Way I see it, was released in 2008 and garnered rave reviews, earning 3 Grammy nominations, and was voted Best Album of 2008 on iTunes.





Southern California native Aloe Blacc began his recording career as an MC back in 1995, when he joined up with hip-hop producer Exile to form the mainstay indie rap group, Emanon.

These days, Aloe Blacc has evolved into a true Renaissance man. Recordings like his Latin cover of John Legend's "Ordinary People" prove that not only can this multi-instrumentalist produce, rap and sing but he can flip it in Spanish, too. Aloe prides himself on the spectrum of his musical roots. His sound often forays into the digital R&B realm, but always grooves with a tinge of Latin and the pulse of hip-hop.




Newcomer TK Wonder is creating a buzz through out the US and Japan with her ability to spit lyrics over aggressively fast beats. With a style somewhere between Slam Poet and Rapper and a Glam Rock look to complete it, this is someone you should keep on your radar. She will be taking the stage with the Moodswing Orchestra, a collaboration of musicians and DJs led by composer and drummer Ben Perowsky.

Philadelphia native Vikter Duplaix is a seasoned veteran of the game. As a trained singer, producer and DJ he has toured around the world. His DJ skills were honed through the aid of such veterans as King Britt and Jazzy Jeff. His quest: reclaiming beautiful music and bringing it to beautiful people worldwide. His latest EP Electric Love has been garnering rave reviews. Check out the new video for the first single "Electric Love" below.







Raphael Saadiq  |  Aloe Blacc  |  TK Wonder  |  Vikter Duplaix