Sol Blume returns to Sacramento’s Discovery Park with a showcase of R&B stars, local talent
For Fornati Kumeh, the combined love for R&B music and Sacramento led him to bring a festival featuring a lineup of some of the most talented artists in his hometown.
Sol Blume, the R&B festival, is a Sacramento staple. It’s back after a three-year hiatus, Kumeh said the show has a larger venue with more artists. Its headliners include Jorga Smith, Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko and Summer Walker.
It also has a roster of Sacrament-born artists, both musicians and visual artists.
Kumeh said he’s ‘super excited’ about the entire event, which gives out-of-town visitors a chance to experience Sacramento and enjoy good music.
“It was time to level up. Discovery Park was the only venue that could bring that energy needed, bringing everything to life,” said Kumeh. “We leveled up the artist selection, the entire experience.”
It’s bigger and better, he said.
In previous years Sol Blume offered a day of star-studded artists. This year it includes two full days of performances. Kumeh expects some 40,000 people to attend the event, up from 6,000 or so in its earlier years.
He added different activities, a butterfly experience, and flower walls designed by local artists.
“Being from Sacramento, it’s important to us that we showcase the talent, you know. We definitely want to push the Sacramento culture,” said Kumeh. “Sac is on the map and it’s emerging.”
Sacramento artists at Sol Blume
Kumeh brought local creative artists such as Brandon Alexander and Courtney Brignac to bring their different designs to match the energy of the festival. Their work and others inspires different section of the festival.
Brignac, a North Sacramento native, will get to experience Sol Blume for the first time.
“It’s an awesome opportunity,” said Brignac. “I think it’s dope that we have Sol Blume in Sacramento and we have the opportunity to be in front of so many other great artists.”
She painted art designs for corn hole games in the VIP section.
When she saw that they were looking for artists she jumped on the opportunity. Her work can be found at www.Sknbones.com.
“I’m just really honored that they love what I can do and trust me to create something to add to this awesome platform that they’re creating,” said Brignac.
Performers coming back home
Kumeh as he built the Sol Blume lineup ensured that homegrown artists such as Victoria Mone’t and Yelly were a part of the experience of sharing the Sacramento culture with the world.
Born as Danielle Scales is known by her nickname and stage name, Yelly.
She began performing when she was 6, whether in poetry slams, singing or spoken word. Music has always been in her family. Her grandmother went to Tuskegee University on a full scholarship for opera, and her grandfather was a jazz musician who played the saxophone. Her mom and dad supported Yelly throughout her career.
The Lincoln Village native was always a creative kid who had the will to become a star. When she was in high school, she dreamed of performing at Sol Blume.
She said it’s “unreal” that she has the chance to perform in the festival. She’s ready to represent Sacramento and show people there’s talent out in the city.
“I won’t sugarcoat it like, it hasn’t been easy, but it’s been so worth it. I just feel like Sacramento is truly like a gold mine of amazing talent all across all borders,” said Yelly. “To be able to put on for my city, (as) an artist, and show the people in the crowd and show the people in the world like you can be from your own city and do this too. It’s honestly amazing. It’s a blessing.”
She expects to perform a range of her music catalog, including an unreleased track. Sacramento’s DJ Eddy will provide sounds on her set.
Yelly performs Saturday on the Blume stage, at 2:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Victoria Monet will perform on the Blume Stage, at 4:10 p.m.
For Monet, this performance is special for her as well. She’ll share the “homecoming” performance with family and friends, as she celebrates her 33rd birthday.
Her mother and the rest of her family have been an influence on the singer’s career.
“It’s kind of like a homecoming party to me. My husband and my family will be there, my daughter will be there, I’m going to give her little headphones,” said Monet. “I’m just excited to perform on one of my home grounds. There were so many performances I did growing up there.”
She said she loves coming back home to her mother’s cooking.
She grew up in south Sacramento and Elk Grove. Her passion for performing arts led her to attend Sheldon High School. She was adamant that she’d go there because of the school’s performing arts program.
“It just was much more appealing to me because I’ve always known that I wanted to be on stage and entertaining and having fun being creative,” said the singer, songwriter about her time at Sheldon High School. “They have great education there but also exercise the creative side of my brain as well. I love it.”
Monet will be doing what she loves in the city that produced her. She said Sacramento produces talent, each with their own individual style that creates a unique experience.
She plans on releasing Jaguar Part 2 this year, and following with a tour. She hopes to have her hometown included as a stop on the tour.
This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 10:36 AM.