A night at Higher Ground where the music isn’t just heard—it’s felt. Every note resonates with a powerful story of creativity, challenge, and triumph.

Welcome, to the Culture Music Fest.

The beauty and influence of black history is inescapable; it can be seen and felt across the globe, even here in our own backyard. Myriad cultures so rich with art-from striking mixed media and awe-inspiring dance, to iconic fashion design and invention—the nuances of many black cultures have sent ripples through time and history. Those very ripples can be heard throughout genre-spanning music, from RnB and Hip Hop, to Rock, Punk, and more. Art inspired by the black experience is not only beautiful and varied, it also expresses that our creativity and the potential for change are both powerful and limitless. The Culture Music Fest is a place we can all come together to celebrate the richness, strength and diversity of what black culture looks like within our communities today.

Bobby Hackney: Musician, Songwriter, and Author.

The legacy of Bobby Hackney, his music and career spanning from Detroit, Michigan to New England, throughout America and the entire world, is etched in the history of Rock music. In 1975 Detroit Michigan, Bobby and his two brothers formed a Rock band, called “DEATH”. Hackney and his brothers recorded music at Detroit’s legendary United Sound Recording Studio. Nearly 40 years later, that music gained world-wide recognition as Punk-Rock that predated the “Punk Sound” by five years. Bobby is also known as a stellar Reggae Musician; in 1986, he conceptualized the now-legendary “Vermont Reggae Festival.” In its Zenith in 1990, the festival drew an estimated 40,000 people to Burlington’s North Beach Park. The festival has been commemorated in Hackney’s book, Vermont Reggae Fest The Power of Music. Bobby Hackney is a songwriter of a variety of styles, including Rock, Reggae, Blues, Children’s Songs, Gospel, and instrumentals.

Maari (Sam Paulino) is a Burlington artist from 99 Neighbors who shows that creativity has no limits. Maari’s journey is a testament to what happens when you believe in yourself and your community. 99 Neighbors was a group of nine members that included rappers, singers, musicians, videographers, and producers. Maari continues to present the best of Burlington through his lyrics as a solo-artist

Charlie Atkins, known as “Charlie Mayne,” is the visionary behind Culture Music Fest. Originally from Indio, California, he is now a dynamic force in New England’s music scene, blending his West Coast roots with G-Funk, funk, and bold beats, creating a distinctive sound. Since 2020, Charlie has focused on showcasing his creative vision and heritage to bring a fresh perspective to hip-hop. Now based in Vermont, he fosters collaboration and cultural exchange in Burlington’s music scene.

2025’s Culture Music Fest will be emceed by Vermont’s own multi-faceted UVM lecturer and hip-hop artist, SINNN.

The evening will feature music from Leander of Brattleboro, VT, Joey The Kid from Schenectady, NY, honorary Vermonter Juni The Wiccan, and bringing the beats all night will be Burlington’s own DJ David Chief.

The first annual Culture Music Fest is in support of The DREAM Program. DREAM is a nonprofit youth service organization which aims to shrink the social equity gap, providing opportunities to children and teens through high quality mentoring, adventure, and out-of-school enrichment programs across Vermont, Boston and Philadelphia.

18+

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