Formed in 2014, Standing on the Corner is a New York music collective based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The group is led by Gio Escobar (aka Gio Demarcus, Shamel Cee Mystery), who serves as its primary vocalist and songwriter. Besides Gio, members of the group include

Lila Ramani (guitar)

Nate Cox (drums)

Syl Dubenion (saxophone

Tomin Perea Chamblee (clarinet)

Savannah Harris (drums)
Jack Nolan (rhythm guitar)
Oluwaseun Odubiro (bass)
and Buz

Former members of the group include
Slauson Malone (vocals, production, guitar)
and Caleb Giles (vocals, production, saxophone)

The ensemble’s music is very eclectic and experimental, incorporating elements of jazz, hip-hop, indie, soul, and hypnogogogic pop. This melding of genres has led to the band being labeled as “post-genre.” The group is also very active in the underground hip-hop scene, collaborating with artists such as MIKE, Medhane, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown and Solange.

The name Standing on the Corner is likely a reference to “the corner,” which is seen as a hub of black and brown expression and culture.

The corner was our magic, our music, our politics
Fires raised as tribal dances and war cries
Broke out on different corners
Power to the people
Black power
Black is beautiful

The corner was our Rock of Gibraltar, our Stonehenge
Our Taj Mahal, our monument
Our testimonial to freedom, to peace, and to love
Down on the corner
– The Last Poets from “The Corner”