When you think of New Orleans, the city’s foremost flambeaux-lit traditions of Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, voodoo, Po’ boys, beads, gumbo, and second line undoubtedly come to mind. You can also count Big Sam’s Funky Nation amongst those NOLA treasures.

Known for a boisterous blend of funk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, nothing short of seismic live “experiences,” and a whole lot of Southern charm, Big Sam’s Funky Nation might very well be The Big Easy’s best kept secret.

No other place could birth such an undeniable, unpredictable, and downright unique collective.

“By playing on these streets, you learn how to work your craft and entertain an audience,” exclaims Sam. “You can go to Julliard and Berklee all you want, but they won’t teach you how to rock a stage. It comes naturally in New Orleans. I’ve been here my whole life and rocking these streets. Even during Hurricane Katrina, I drove nine hours from San Antonio every weekend for two years just to play live. The sound out here is unlike anything else in the world. It’s not just a figure of speech—there’s music going all night, literally.”

Soul singer and songwriter Erica Falls credits her unique vintage sound to her childhood growing up in New Orleans’ 9th Ward, where her parents introduced her to Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, and Whitney Houston.  Whether on stage or in the studio, she channels a sassy, soulful tone that recalls an earlier era. But Erica cautions her fans: “Vintage soul is not about bringing the listener back to a time of authentic music, it’s about reminding them that it never went anywhere,” she says.  

 Erica’s latest project re-released album 2018, HomeGrown, that she co-produced showcased her vocals, arranging, songwriting talent, and introduced her to a wider audience in the world of neo-soul.  Throughout her career, Erica has recorded and performed with icons including Grammy®-winner Allen Toussaint, Sting, No Doubt, Joe Sample, Dr. John, Jennifer Hudson, and John Fogerty, among others. In 2013, she was hand-picked by Lee Daniels to star in the lead singing role of the award-winning film Lee Daniels The Butler.

​Her show-stopping performances did not go unnoticed; Offbeat Magazine nominated Erica twice for Best Female Vocalist in which she won in 2017 and 2019.  She was also nominated for Best R&B Artist and Best R&B Album.

 Erica has toured nationally with renowned New Orleans funk band Galactic as their lead vocalist for the last 5 years, but she made the decision to leave that position and nurture her solo career. Currently, Erica is working on new highly anticipated music and she's excited to get it out to the world. Stay tuned because the best is yet to come from this Nola Hummingbird!

Raj Smoove is a New Orleans-based DJ and music industry professional with more than 30
years of experience. Currently the Game Day DJ for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, he is one of
the city’s most recognizable, in-demand talents and one of the most successful DJs to emerge
from the region. He has appeared on the main stage at the globally renowned ESSENCE
Festival of Culture, as well as at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the official ANTI-
Tour wrap party for Rihanna, the National Fried Chicken Festival, NBA All-Star Weekend, the
HBCU Legacy Bowl, the National Urban League Conference, the National Black Journalists
Association Convention, and as a DJ for the New Orleans Pelicans. Consistently recognized by
the City of New Orleans for his contributions to local culture, he has received multiple
proclamations from the New Orleans City Council.
In addition to his current residency at The Barnett (formerly The Ace Hotel), Raj has appeared
at some of the city’s most notable venues including the House of Blues, Champion’s Square,
the Dew Drop Inn, Blue Nile, Harrah’s Casino, the Fillmore, and many others. His portfolio of
clients includes AT&T, Walmart, Microsoft, Jack Daniel’s, the Kellogg Foundation, the City of
New Orleans, Xavier University, Inspire School System, and Dillard University. Musically, he
has collaborated with Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, the Big Tymers, PJ Morton, NBA Youngboy, 5th
Ward Weebie, Mia X, Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas, Kourtney Heart and many
more. In 2012, Raj performed an impromptu live collaboration with Stevie Wonder, the footage
of which has gone viral several times over. His television appearances include three segments
on BET’s “Rap City: Tha Bassment” and the Super Bowl XXXVI edition of BET’s “106 & Park.”
As an on-air mixshow DJ, he has appeared on Hot 104.5 KNOU and 98.5 WYLD.
Dubbed “the Greatest DJ in the world” by Lil Wayne, Raj served as the in-house producer for Lil
Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment from 2001 to 2004, where he played an integral role in
generating the buzz behind Lil Wayne and Sqad Up mixtapes. Raj also produced material for Lil
Wayne’s platinum-selling 2004 album, Tha Carter. Together in 2006, the duo collaborated on
the Lil Weezy Ana and The Carter Files mixtapes. Raj’s own self-produced compilation album,
Bayou Classic, features Mannie Fresh and Mia X. Raj was also the official DJ for the 2000 Cash
Money Records/Ruff Ryder Entertainment tour.
Beyond his own musical pursuits, Raj is a producer, writer, studio engineer, and artist manager.
He is a member of the Recording Academy, serves on the advisory board for New Orleans
music business accelerator METRONOME, and is a board member for French Quarter
Festivals, Inc..Since his first paid DJ gig at 14, Raj Smoove has spent decades establishing
himself as a versatile performer who places his ability to read and engage crowds at the
forefront of his artistry.

As an independent record executive, Raj Smoove has worked closely with R&B artist Kourtney
Heart, for whom he leveraged a major recording deal. Among his current list of clients are
including Flagboy Giz, Brass-a-Holics, Water Seed, 504icygrl, Young Money artist PoppyH, and
more.