Syndicate is collaborative hip-hop project comprised of members from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Formed late in summer of 2014, the band has taken off quickly, performing at the Bergen County Music Festival and most recently “Anarchy in the NJ” at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ. The group is led by Sony Tiwari (vocals, songwriter), Zak Ali (guitar), Jesse Minikes (keys), Marlon Williams (bass) and Ivan Gutierrez (drums). 

Comprised of well-rounded musicians and multi-instrumentalists, Syndicate is known for their ability to swap parts during shows. In mixing live hip-hop, jazz, and rock, they have developed a sound that fans describe as a blend between The Roots, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco. Still, they continue to experiment with new combinations and styles, a product of their diverse musical backgrounds. 

Sony is a Doctoral student at Columbia University and Long Island native who moved to the City in 2011 to study composition at NYU. Zak is a prolific metal guitarist and drummer whose bands have played major music festivals such as Gathering of the Juggalos and The Bamboozle. Jesse brings an intense jazz sensibility and experience as a collaborator among several well-known combos in Philadelphia and New York. Ivan produces hip-hop and rock bands at his studio in Little Ferry, NJ and most notably drummed for punk hardcore band Knuckle Up! during their most recent national album release. Marlon developed his style playing bass and drums with gospel groups across the tri-state area and recently graduated with a degree in Music Production from Bergen.

Syndicate was formed under unusual circumstances. As a professor at Bergen Community College in Paramus NJ, Sony performed and produced concerts with students Marlon and Ivan. A free-style rap that unexpectedly brought the house down in May 2014 forged an interest among them to start a music project. Soon after, fellow Bergen student Zak Ali joined the group along with Jesse. 

The band frequently collaborates with upcoming singers and instrumentalists across New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, becoming a point of intersection between various styles and influences. For example, their latest song “One Day Away” featuring saxophonist Kevin Tanner combines Coltrane riffs, booming beats and a Jazz standard-style hook with a nostalgic lyrical tone reminiscent of Nas or Kanye West.

Today, the group is writing material for their debut EP, In Transit while continuing to play shows around New York and New Jersey. In early 2015, Syndicate will take their sound to Orlando, Florida for a mini-tour and recording session at TSM Studios with Grammy winning engineer Jeff Villanueva.
It’s Syndicate b*tch. Tell your mom.

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