Kota the Friend, Phearnone Unite
for Tour Finale in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY – October 2, 2025 – Independent hip-hop artist Kota the Friend is bringing an extraordinary guest to the closing stretch of his No Rap on Sunday Tour: violinist, DJ, MC, and producer Phearnone. The two New Yorkers will share the stage for shows in Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, culminating in a special finale in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 16—a hometown celebration that also falls on Kota’s birthday

No Rap on Sunday Tour Dates Featuring Phearnone

• October 3 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
• October 4 – Washington, D.C. – Howard Theatre
• October 8 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
• October 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (Tour Finale & Kota’s Birthday)
  Tickets: KotaTheFriend.com/Tour

This is not the first time Kota and Phearnone have joined forces. The duo previously shared the stage during TEDx Portland, bringing together hip-hop, lyricism, and violin in a groundbreaking performance. Their creative synergy also extends to the studio, with Phearnone contributing to Kota the Friend & Statik Selektah’s Once In A Blue Moon album.

Born Shayshahn MacPherson in The Bronx, Phearnone has redefined what it means to be a contemporary artist. His musical journey spans Classical, Jazz, West African, Hip Hop, Reggae, House, and R&B. A classically trained violinist, his career highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall at age 12, playing with Wu-Tang Clan on “The Final Chamber” tour, and collaborations with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Big Daddy Kane, Roy Ayers, GZA and Lettuce. He has earned acclaim from publications like The Washington Times and even an Emmy for composition and string play on Vote.

Phearnone stated, “It’s always a blessing when you get to collaborate with an artist you have great synergy with. Having worked with Kota before both in the studio, for his Once In A Blue Moon album, and on stage, I know we’ll be able to cook up something special for the last leg of the tour.”

He added, “Kota and I have a lot in common. We’re both New Yorkers, musicians, lyricists, and independent artists. What I’m most inspired by with Kota is how he’s cracked the code on what success as an independent artist can look like…making music of substance, developing other streams of income, and really connecting with fans. The more we work together, the more I see him navigating the business part of all of this while still maintaining the integrity of the art and being his authentic self.”

Kota the Friend expressed his excitement about closing out the tour alongside Phearnone, stating “Phearnone is one of those rare artists who can move effortlessly across genres and still bring it back home to hip-hop. Having him with me for these last shows makes it even more special.”

“We’ve already shared moments that felt bigger than music, from TEDx Portland to the Once In A Blue Moon sessions. Ending this tour together, especially in Brooklyn on my birthday, feels like everything coming full circle”, added Kota. “When Phearnone touches the violin, you feel it in your chest. It’s soul, its energy, it’s something different. I can’t wait for fans to experience that live on this tour.”

The No Rap on Sunday Tour has taken Kota the Friend across 16 cities thus far, and these last four shows promise to deliver a powerful close to the journey—rooted in artistry, independence, and hometown pride.

You can get tickets to the Boston, DC, Philly and Brooklyn shows at KotaTheFriend.com/Tour.

ABOUT KOTA the Friend

Kota the Friend, is an independent rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. He took his stage name from the Disney film Brother Bear—“Koda” being a Native American word meaning “friend.”

Kota began playing trumpet in the 4th grade and was accepted into music programs through middle school, high school, and a term in college before leaving to pursue music full-time. He released his debut mixtape Palm Tree Liquor in 2016, followed by Paloma Beach (2017), Anything (2018), and his first independent studio album FOTO (2019). He has since built an acclaimed catalog, including EVERYTHING (2020), To Kill A Sunrise with Statik Selektah (2021), MEMO (2022), and five volumes of his fan-favorite Lyrics to GO series, most recently Lyrics to GO, Vol. 5 (2025)., and his latest album, No Rap on Sunday.

His music has been featured in films and shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other networks, further cementing his global reach.

Kota has stayed independent throughout his career, turning down three major label offers to launch his own label and apparel brand FLTBYS (Flight Boys). Embracing a do-it-yourself mentality, he films many of his own videos, records in a home studio, and produces most of his discography. Influenced by artists like Jay-Z, Nas, Kid Cudi, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Pharrell, Kota has carved out a unique path—balancing lyrical storytelling, global touring, and a deep authentic connection with his fan base.

MEDIA CONTACT

Vernon K. Jones, Sr.
CEO | JIG Media
[email protected]