Up-and-coming rapper and soul singer from the DC, Maryland and Virginia area Billy Mercury will close out the first day of Co-op Festival with a performance from 3 â 4 p.m. just outside the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall.
Designed to celebrate the success, diversity and impact of cooperative enterprise, the Co-op Festival will bring music, food samples, games, giveaways and interactive booths to the nationâs backyard. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public! Learn more here.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Billy Mercury is the epitome of âfeel-good music.â The multi-pronged rapper/soul singer is a hidden gem of the DMVâs music and Hip-Hop culture. Raised in the Park Place neighborhood of Norfolk by a musically talented family, his music and philosophy are shaped by soul, gospel, old school R&B, hip-hop and rap.
In a music culture often monopolized by negativity, Billyâs mission to âinstill love, peace and dignity into the worldâ should resonate with the cooperative community.
As a performer, Billy Mercuryâ unique blend of rapper-meets-soul bridges the gap between younger and older listeners. His singingâinspired by Motown legend Marvin Gayeâtakes older crowds back in time, but his debut album, The SOULution, puts Billy in the footsteps of Chance The Rapper and Kendrick Lamar.
Over the weekend, festivalgoers will also hear from musicians that span a spectrum of genres, from world fusion artist and Native American flute player Ron Warren and Friends to Virginia-based reggae musician Greg Ward and Indie Pop from The Guest House.
Co-op Festival media partner iHeartRadio station WMZQ will also be on hand over the two-day event, playing todayâs top country hits.