Meet Barbados Black, Local Artist Paving His Own Lane

Always one to flow to the beat of his own drum, Pittsburgh native Barbados Black channels the prodigious power of music, taking his audience to new heights. From a young age, Black found a great joy and satisfaction in writing music.

Barbados grew up with a healthy, yet versatile exposure to real feel-good music. From the likes of No Doubt and Nirvana to Erykah Badu and Dru Hill, he taps in to the sonically pleasing tones of the old, the new and the bold - truly cultivating his own independent space in the city.

When Barbados isn't making hits in the studio, he's creating visual magic with his pen. Serving a myriad of clientele with graphic designs and album covers, Black was always called to the creative path. It was for that reason he attended college for video game development, art and design at the Pittsburgh Art Institute. While pursing his degree, Barbados he continued to develop his musical ear learning how to mix and master.

One evening while working on his art homework, Barbados decided to audition for a Pittsburgh Hip Hop competition - and it was there that he met up with 'Its Marly' and many other local artists for the first time.

" It was nice to know that even though my sound didn't 'fit in' with what everyone else was doing that they still rocked with my unique sound. I kept working at my craft and developing my own voice, now I feel like I found my own place in the music scene."

Barbados hopes to continue to bring positive vibes and good energy to music with each new project. He is currently nominated for Best New Male Artist and Singer of the Year (Male) as well as Graphic Designer of the Year. Vote for Barbados here.