Marx Solvila

His grown and sexy singles “X” and “The Weekend” feature soulful guitars, sultry vocals, and mellow grooves. Marx Solvila is an American Singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for his feature on Wyclef Jean’s Carnival III on Thank God For The Culture. Solvila has been compared to the likes of Al Green, Bobby Womack, and D’Angelo. A City kid from the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Marx created his gift through gospel music, Jazz, Blues, and R&B. - Genre Urban Arts

When Wyclef Jean heard the beats, he said he was "caught by the Holy Ghost."

In November 2016, the Grammy-winning rapper, renowned for his work in the Fugees and his own solo career, was in Milwaukee to judge the Rémy Producers Series competition. Branden Washington — stage name Wavie Boi B — won the round, and took second place in the finals in Chicago three months later.

"I had the heat and I was smacking it with them beats. It was undeniable," Wavie Boi B said. "From then, (Jean) wanted to work with me. I ended up following him on Twitter and he in-boxed me and said, 'Give me your number.' I was so excited I ended up giving him the wrong number."

Even with the bad contact info, Jean didn't give up. He got a hold of Wavie Boi B and hired him as his touring keyboardist last March. Four months later, Wavie Boi B became Jean's musical director. He also collaborated with Jean on last year's "J'ouvert" EP and "Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee."

But Wavie Boi B isn't the only Milwaukee artist on "Carnival," and he isn't the only Milwaukee artist who will tour with Jean this spring (with stops at the Metro in Eau Claire April 12 and the Metro in Chicago April 15).

Local artists Marx Solvila, H1DaHook and Gassmann — all part of Wavie Boi B's Wavie Gang collective — are all on "Carnival III," and are hitting the road with Jean. Wavie Boi B's brother, Wavie Boi D, is part of Wavie Gang and the tour, too.

"We have been doing this for a long time, we were built for this," Solvila said. "Wyclef is a legendary icon in the music industry. For him to find us in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that's a blessing."

Who's who: Producer Wavie Boi B (Branden Washington), rapper Wavie Boi D (Daniel Washington), rapper and singer H1DaHook (Antoine Kern), rapper Gassmann (Jacob Washington), singer Marx Solvila (Marcus Mitchell). Joining the Wavie Gang in the studio for the Journal Sentinel's Sound Check series were bassist Alan Harris, keyboardist Terry Harris Jr. and DJ Jay A (Joshua Arnold). Wavie Boi B performed on drums.

Origins: Wavie Boi B: "Mom was a drummer. She played a mean set of drums back in the day. I used to play the drums at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, then I moved on to keyboards when I was 12 or 13 years old, and started producing around age 16, 17. Gassmann and Wavie Boi D were picking up on the gift and talent in the studio and learning the craft of being engineers, songwriters and producers.

"We grew up at 13th and Reservoir; we call it District 13. The Kerns lived next door to the Washingtons. We were two big families that grew up with the morals and values of the neighborhood, and we started doing music together."

New Wavie Gang projects: Marx Solvila's album "Black Opium" came out on Valentine's Day. HD — a joint project of H1DaHook and Wavie Boi D – drops its album, "D-13," March 13, two days before Wavie Gang plays Jean's showcase at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.

Connecting with Wyclef Jean: Wavie Boi B: "We had a connection because we were both pastor's kids."

H1DaHook: "Branden was doing a concert with (Jean) at Terminal West in New York, a big EP release for 'J'ouvert.' The next day, he invited us all to come to his house to watch the Super Bowl. It was Gassmann's birthday, so he got champagne bottles and Haitian rum out. We performed for him at a showcase here in Milwaukee. He built a relationship with the Wavie Gang. We pretty much all have the same vibe and mentality. We were able to display our talents at Terminal 5 in Atlanta. HD, and Marx Solvila opened for him for the first time."

Gassmann: "Walking back to the dressing room (after that show), Wyclef was clapping. You can't script that."

Wavie Gang's Jean credits: Wavie Boi B co-wrote "The Ring" and "Rear View" on "J'ouvert;" co-wrote and co-produced "Slums" and "Shotta Boys" on "Carnival III;" and co-produced "Concrete Rose" and "Trapicabana," also on the album. Gassmann and H1DaHook also co-wrote "Slums," which features guest vocals by H1DaHook and Marx Solvila. Marx Solvila also sings on "Carnival III" song "Thank God for the Culture," which he also co-wrote.

Blessed opportunities: Wavie Boi B: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. I believe so much in our team. We are super strong on faith, and if I say we can do it we are going to do it. This whole experience on the jump we have been praying to allow God to speak to us and guide our direction in the music industry. It's not a surprise that it's happening, but it feels good that it's going on now and I can do it amongst my brothers."

Watch exclusive performances from the Wavie Gang at jsonline.com/music. Sound Check appears the 15th each month online and in the Journal Sentinel. - Piet Levy

Thousands of artists — and more than 167,000 music lovers — have swarmed Austin, Texas, this week for the South by Southwest festival and conference.

And among the participating acts are a few from Milwaukee, including WebsterX, who played NPR's official showcase at Stubb's; Field Report, which is playing multiple slots to promote its album "Summertime Songs," out March 23; and Wavie Gang, the local hip-hop and R&B collective that's been taken under Wyclef Jean's wing. - Piet Levy