By Harry Colbert, Jr. editor-in-chief

The “Minneapolis Sound” has evolved.

Yes, in the family tree of music, almost all branches lead back to Prince at the root, but the branches have sprouted seedlings of their own and new trees are providing a lush, green foliage bearing new and wonderful fruits. The trees have taken root in gospel, hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock, even classical.

Some of those trees are here in North Minneapolis.

Javonta Patton: Gospel’s No. 1

Javonta Patton’s love for singing is only surpassed by his love and family and his love of his community. It was that love of community that lead him to form his first gospel group in 2007, Javonta Patton and DFY (Deliverance for Youth), at the youthful age of 17.

“Seeing my community and friends suffer from the affects of gangs and violence, I wanted to start a group that would be more than a group, but a positive force for change,” said Patton.

The popularity of the group and the movement led Patton to release a total of four LP albums and two EPs. One of those releases, 2014’s “I’m a Winner” charted on iTunes and has to date amassed more than 12 million total streams. But it was 2016’s “Finally Living” that catapulted Patton to the top. The LP rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel chart. The milestone at the top is all the more impressive, as he’s the first independent artist to go No. 1 on the Gospel chart. In total, Patton has charted five times on Billboard.

Patton credits the Northside for much of his success.

“I thank the Northside for giving me culture, style and an appreciation for community,” said the singer who stays connected to the community in which he was raised and resides. “I still kick it with the people who may still be involved in (less positive) activities. But that’s the Northside. It’s me; it’s made me who I am.”

Patton and his wife, Symone Patton, have curated a pop-up nondenominational ministry, The Wave, which is in its fifth year.

DJ Enferno: The official party starter

It seems 2007 was a pivotal year in music for Minneapolis. While Javonta Patton was forming his group, another artist was forming his craft. In 2007 Dante Coleman would emerge as better-known moniker, DJ Enferno. But DJing wasn’t always in the plans for the now internationally known music selector.

“I kind of fell into DJing,” said Coleman. “It was out of necessity to help a bigger whole, and it just so happens that I got good at it.”

That bigger whole was being a part of a hip-hop record label, Platinum Mind, which was in need of a DJ, so Coleman stepped up. He said somehow he came up with $300 and purchased an inexpensive DJ rig of turntables, mixer, mic and needles.

Dante “DJ Enferno” Coleman. Photo by David Pierini

“I think the needles cost the most,” joked Coleman. “But learning on that cheap equipment made me so much better. When I got to Techniques ( the industry standard in turntables) I was set. Keep in mind, I started DJing on the floor because I didn’t even have a table for my equipment.”

Enferno is no longer DJing on the floor … he’s DJing on Shade 45.

Shade 45 is the wildly popular SiriusXM hip-hop station owned by rap icon Eminem. Coleman said his girlfriend, who is in public relations, introduced him to the program director at the satellite station and he sent him a sample mix and soon after, Enferno had his own slot on the station.

“It was the connections and the skill that got me to this place,” said Coleman.

Coleman said coming out of North Minneapolis also created a name for himself locally.

“When I first started, a lot of DJs were from St. Paul or South (Minneapolis). There weren’t that many North Minneapolis DJs, so that sort of set me apart,” said Coleman. “My sound is Northside. The Northside is loud and full of energy and that’s portrayed every single time I DJ.”

When not on satellite radio – which has nearly 35 million subscribers – Enferno is packing dancefloors at the Goldroom, Augie’s, Exchange and more.

Meghann Oglesby: Classically trained

Meghann Oglesby is relatively new to the Northside, but she arrived with intention … and class. Classical we should say.

Oglesby is a producer for the American Public Media Classical Music program, Performance Today, which is heard on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). Most recently she has become the host of a recurring nationally syndicated show, “Wondrous Strange,” which she also curated. “Wondrous Strange” is dedicated to exploring and exposing obscure, uncommon or “strange” instruments in classical music. An original idea of Oglesby, she would later collaborate with fellow MPR staffer, Valarie Kahler, to produce “Wondrous Strange.” Initial thought of as a “one-off” show, the program has morphed into more.

“We quickly realized we had to do more than one show because there is just so much content there,” said Oglesby.

The daughter of a pastor and of an entertainer, gravitating to broadcasting was natural for Oglesby, but it wasn’t the path she thought she would take. While in school at Rust College, Oglesby started out as a political science major with thoughts of law school in her future. That’s what was in her head. Her heart kept pushing her to the Mass Communications building where she would spend so much time, most on campus thought she was a mass comm major. Soon Oglesby was on the radio at Rust in Holly Springs, Miss., hosting news and R&B programs. She changed her major – and career path – and graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the liberal arts college and historically Black college.

Oglesby would return to Rust after graduation and stints of performing theater in Memphis to teach mass communications. She also taught at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. before landing a gig with MPR. Prior to getting the job with MPR, Oglesby was pretty much a novice to the world of classical music.

“The fact that (the job) was in classical didn’t even factor for me at the time,” said Oglesby. “But getting that job was such a blessing to me. There are no Black women in the decision-making role in classical music on the broadcasting side. Now I have the opportunity every day to help shape the narrative of what classical music is. I get to make decisions about who is represented and who is heard.”

Being represented is one of the reasons the producer and host chose to make North Minneapolis home.

“I wanted to be where my people are. And every time I saw a home I liked, it happened to be in North Minneapolis,” said Oglesby. “I love urban living. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. And there are a lot of wonderful things happening on the Northside.”

Wenso Ashby: The smooth sounds of jazz

One of the wonderful things happening on the Northside is the reopening of the Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave. Best known for being home to Prince’s first solo performance, the Capri stage has hosted a multitude of talented artists from all genres. It soon could be home to performances by jazz musician and producer Wenso Ashby.

With his forthcoming 2022 release of “Perfect Flow,” Ashby is set to treat his fans to cascade of rhythms and harmonies thanks to guest appearances by Thomasina Petrus, Aimee K. Bryant, saxophonist Antonio Jackson, guitarist Ken Navarro and bassist Yohannes Tona.

With five albums to his credit, Ashby has amassed a loyal and burgeoning fanbase. Many lovers of music may be fans of Ashby and not even know it.

“I did a lot of ghost writing and producing. I have a few movie placements, but I can’t officially get the credit for them,” said Ashby.

Ashby returned to living “Over North” following a move to the Washington, D.C. area. The native of Kansas said he’s found comfort and inspiration while living North.

“Right here you have KBEM (Jazz88, 88.5 FM, which operates on the campus of North Community High School) and KMOJ (89.9 FM, R&B, hip-hop and community affairs). The Northside has a certain vibe and pulse. I ride my bike along the parkway and get inspired daily and music just comes to me,” said Ashby.

North Minneapolis: The artists’ quarter