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August 11 Nicholas Radina Latin music August 18 Pones Inc. Laboratory of Movement Contemporary Dance 2.0 August 25 Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati Performance of new works in progress September 8 Circuit Bending Electronic art created by audio short-circuiting September 15 Karen Wissel and Alok Narayana Unconventional performance art including "Living Museum" and "Unfolding Collage" September 22 Fricative A vocal gymnasium of sound

Napoleon Maddox, aka NapoleonSolo, the Cincinnati beatboxer, hip-hop artist and singer is well known as the leader of the Hip-hop group "ISWHAT?!" He has collaborated with many well known jazz artists such as Magic Malik, Henry Grimes, Archie Shepp, Oliver Lake, Hamid Drake, Roy Nathanson, Joe Fonda, Claire Daly, Burnt Sugar and more. He has also shared the stage with KRS-ONE, Big Daddy Kane, The Roots, Dwele, Jurassic 5 and Antibalas. Comfortable in both idioms, Napoleon is truly one of the connectors of jazz and hip-hop music. His involvement in both has been strong for many years and he is rising to the top of these genres rapidly.

What inspires your latest work?

I have traveled extensively. Travel and my exposure to more music and sound than I can hold has inspired me the most.

What about artistic influences upon your work?

Bojan Z, Nas, family history and working with beat boxers

What is the biggest challenge to your art or to being an artist today?

Keeping a forward thinking and moving vision that is also in touch with its audience.

What's on your iPod right now?

JayZ, White Stripes, and Shirley Horne

Do you have a stage story that must be told?

I have played with Archie Shepp and Chuck D. It was a lot of honor, history, and revolution on one stage. It was too much and too awesome.

How do you unwind after a performance, opening, etc?

I talk to the music lovers and friends for hours into the night.

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