Damien Escobar, born in 1986 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, emerged from humble beginnings to become a groundbreaking violinist blending classical, jazz, pop, R&B, and hip hop. Raised by a single mother alongside his brother Tourie, he began playing violin at age eight and became the youngest student admitted to Juilliard at ten, graduating by 13. The brothers honed their craft as subway performers before forming Nuttin’ But Stringz in 2003, gaining national fame on America’s Got Talent (2008) and performing at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Their Emmy-winning success faltered by 2012, leading to the duo’s split and Escobar’s temporary departure from music.

After a brief stint in real estate, Escobar reignited his career as a solo artist in 2013 with the album Sensual Melodies, which garnered over 200,000 downloads and charted on iTunes. His "crossover violin" style earned him the nickname "Hip Hop Violinist," influenced by artists like DMX and a desire to modernize classical sounds. Landmark performances followed, including Oprah’s The Life You Want tour and collaborations with brands like Mitsubishi, while his 2017 album Boundless earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. Escobar’s entrepreneurial ventures expanded to custom violins, fragrances, and wine, alongside his autobiographical children’s book The Sound of Strings (2014).

Escobar’s resilience defines his legacy. Following homelessness and depression after Nuttin’ But Stringz, he rebuilt his career by embracing vulnerability, sharing his struggles in interviews and through music. His 2022 Life Out Loud tour encouraged audiences to live authentically, reflecting his own journey from subway platforms to global stages. Philanthropy remains central: he founded the Violins Against Violence initiative, partnered with UNICEF, and supports music education through the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. A board member of the Jamaica YMCA, he raised $50,000 for the organization in 2013.

As a cultural figure, Escobar bridges genres and generations. His performances—from Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Inaugural Ball to Indy Car Championship events—highlight his versatility. Recent projects include the 2020 holiday album 25 Days of Christmas and ongoing work on new music, maintaining his relevance in a shifting industry. Through partnerships and activism, he advocates for social justice, dedicating performances to victims like Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown. Escobar’s story, marked by reinvention and purpose, continues to inspire as he expands his impact beyond music into entrepreneurship and advocacy.