Josh Vietti

Josh Vietti
Vietti in 2026
OccupationsViolinist, recording artist, composer

Josh Vietti is an American violinist, recording artist and composer known for combining classical violin with hip-hop, jazz, pop and other contemporary musical styles. He began his professional music career in 2006 as a street performer on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. In 2012, CBS Los Angeles included Vietti among its best breakout music acts in Los Angeles.

His career has included an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, music featured on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, performances at jazz festivals in the United States, and a European tour with rapper 50 Cent.

Early life

Vietti began playing the violin at the age of four. At seven, he received a scholarship to study with violinist Mischa Lefkowitz of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, with whom he studied for approximately ten years.

In 2006, Vietti began performing professionally as a street musician on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. CBS Los Angeles later reported that he sold nearly 50,000 demo CDs while street performing.

Career

2010–2012: early national exposure

In 2010, Vietti appeared as a violin street performer in a commercial promoting the NBA All-Star Game. The commercial featured LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and was narrated by rapper Common.

In November 2011, Vietti appeared as a musical performer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In 2012, Vietti performed at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

During this period, he also opened for artists including Ne-Yo and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Vietti appeared on Sway in the Morning on SiriusXM's Shade 45 in 2012, performing violin arrangements of hip-hop songs.

College touring

College performances became a significant part of Vietti's touring career during the 2010s. In 2012, he performed at institutions including the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

By the end of 2012, CBS Los Angeles reported that Vietti had completed a nationwide 80-date college tour. His college touring continued throughout the decade.

In February 2014, Vietti performed at Palmer Hall at the University of Montevallo.

His later college appearances included Gustavus Adolphus College in 2016 and the University of Delaware in 2017.

Vietti also performed at the Nott Memorial at Union College. A 2022 Union College profile described him as a nationally known hip-hop violinist.

Vietti later stated that his college touring ultimately included more than 300 colleges across the United States.

2013–2014: festivals, Dodger Stadium and ESPN

In 2013, Vietti performed at Gator Growl at the University of Florida.

He also performed at the Festival at the Switchyard in Carrollton, Texas, where he opened on the main stage for Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth.

Vietti performed at the Stone Soul Music Festival at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia, in June 2013, on a lineup that included B.o.B, French Montana and Fantasia.

Vietti has made multiple appearances at Dodger Stadium. In April 2013, he performed as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Viva Los Dodgers entertainment program.

Vietti performing in 2012

In 2014, Vietti's violin arrangement of 50 Cent's "In da Club" became the musical accompaniment to "The Journey", a recurring spoken-word segment on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown.

In December 2014, Vietti appeared live in ESPN's studio during Sunday NFL Countdown.

Jazz performances

Vietti has performed at jazz festivals and concert series in the United States. He first appeared at the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival in 2014 and has subsequently returned to the festival.

In 2016, he appeared at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Florida.

In 2017, Atlanta jazz station WCLK featured Vietti in its Suite Jazz Series. WCLK described his music as incorporating pop, classical, hip-hop, R&B and gospel and reported that he had opened for David Sanborn and Gerald Albright.

In 2018, Vietti appeared on Good Day Atlanta in connection with "An Evening of Smooth Jazz" at Wolf Creek Amphitheater. FOX 5 Atlanta described him as a hip-hop and jazz violinist and reported that he had opened for Earth, Wind & Fire and Lil Wayne.

In 2024, Vietti appeared at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Vietti has also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City alongside comedians Franco Escamilla and Gabriel Iglesias.

Hip-hop performances and collaborations

Vietti's work in hip-hop has included performances with and alongside recording artists.

In December 2019, Vietti performed with Houston rapper Trae tha Truth while opening for Snoop Dogg at the House of Blues in Houston. Vietti later described being introduced to Snoop Dogg after the performance and participating in an impromptu violin and rap performance.

In 2023, Vietti and Trae tha Truth released the collaborative single "Watch Me Soar".

In 2026, Vietti performed at Trae tha Truth's TraeDay Black Tie Affair in Houston.

Vietti has also worked in the studio with French Montana and appeared on recordings including "Salam Alaykum", "Losing Weight" and "Touch the Sky".

2022: 50 Cent European tour

In October 2022, Vietti joined 50 Cent for a series of performances in Europe. Vietti performed an original violin solo and joined portions of 50 Cent's performances, including "In da Club". His appearances included performances in Prague, Munich, Geneva and Jesolo.

Houstonia later reported that Vietti's violin interpretation of "In da Club" attracted 50 Cent's attention and led to the European tour.

The collaboration followed ESPN's use of Vietti's violin arrangement of "In da Club" on Sunday NFL Countdown in 2014.

2025: NBA Paris Games

In January 2025, Vietti performed at two engagements during NBA Paris week. He performed for the Indiana Pacers at a private welcome dinner at the Hôtel de Ville, and separately performed for NBA Experiences at VIP events associated with the games at Accor Arena.

Minnesota United FC

Vietti has performed multiple times at Allianz Field for Minnesota United FC.

During the club's 2024 Decision Day Fan Appreciation match against St. Louis City SC, Vietti performed his original song "Above the Storm" during the pregame program as the teams took the pitch and returned for a separate halftime performance.

Vietti returned to Allianz Field in May 2025 for another halftime performance.

In the same announcement, Minnesota United reported that Vietti's recordings had accumulated more than 400 million streams across Spotify and Pandora.

Recording career

Vietti has released original instrumental music as well as violin interpretations of hip-hop, pop and classical compositions.

His violin interpretation of 50 Cent's "In da Club" gained wider exposure when ESPN used the arrangement for "The Journey" on Sunday NFL Countdown in 2014.

In 2020, Vietti released Never Give Up, which included the original track "That Vibe".

In 2023, Vietti released "Watch Me Soar" with Trae tha Truth.

In 2024, he released the album Victory Lap.

In 2025, Vietti released "Istanbul Nights".

In 2026, he released Flow State and "Vivaldi Winter (Trap Remix)", a contemporary arrangement based on music from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Business activities

Vietti established On That Note Entertainment, Inc. in 2013.

A number of Vietti's recordings have been released through On That Note Entertainment, Inc., including Never Give Up, "Watch Me Soar" and Victory Lap.

On That Note Entertainment describes its activities as including music-industry strategy, catalog strategy, talent booking, and entertainment and event production.

Musical style

Vietti is associated with hip-hop, pop and jazz violin. FOX 5 Atlanta has described him as a hip-hop and jazz violinist, while CBS Los Angeles described his music as incorporating country, gospel, pop, jazz and hip-hop alongside his classical training.

WCLK has similarly described Vietti's music as incorporating pop, classical, hip-hop, R&B and gospel.

Discography

Albums

  • Modern Symphony 2010 (2010)
  • Street Violin (2011)
  • Best of Both Worlds (2012)
  • Play to Win (2015)
  • Strings Attached (2019)
  • Lit Christmas (2020)
  • Never Give Up (2020)
  • Strings Attached, Vol. 2 (2020)
  • String God (2023)
  • Victory Lap (2024)
  • Flow State (2026)

Selected songs

  • "In da Club" – violin interpretation of the 50 Cent song
  • "That Vibe"
  • "Side Quest"
  • "Watch Me Soar" – with Trae tha Truth
  • "Istanbul Nights"
  • "Vivaldi Winter (Trap Remix)"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2012 Sounded Good: The Best Breakout Music Acts In Los Angeles". CBS Los Angeles. December 27, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Monday's Talk Shows". Los Angeles Times. November 13, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sunday NFL Countdown's "Journey" teams spoken-word poet and violinist". ESPN Press Room. September 10, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival Artist Lineup". Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Mischa Lefkowitz". Los Angeles Philharmonic. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti to perform at UW-La Crosse". University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Get in Touch with Pop Violinist Josh Vietti". EllenTV.com. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Haute Event: The Stars Celebrate the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational". Haute Living. March 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Josh Vietti Plays His Violin to Jay-Z and Tupac Songs on Sway In The Morning". Sway's Universe. October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Hip-hop violinist goes from LA streets to Touhill stage". University of Missouri–St. Louis. August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Josh Vietti in the house". The Alabamian. 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Josh Vietti, the hip-hop violinist, comes to Gustavus". The Gustavian Weekly. November 18, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Josh Vietti: Hip-Hop Violinist". University of Delaware. September 26, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Catching up with Bill Blanchard Jr". Union College. September 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 "Meet Josh Vietti". CanvasRebel. February 20, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Gator Growl adding a second stage for added performances". Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  17. ↑ "2013 Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard". CultureMap Dallas. November 2, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Stone Soul Music & Food Festival". Fox Richmond. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Three-Game Series Against Milwaukee Begins Tomorrow Night". Major League Baseball. April 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Two Sunday NFL Countdown Editions Highlight NFL Week 16 Content on ESPN". ESPN Press Room. December 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Seabreeze Jazz Festival Returns With Jazz Packed Weekend". WTVY. April 11, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Jennings, Larry (July 19, 2017). "July 20: Suite Jazz Series Presents Jazz Violinist Josh Vietti". WCLK. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Performers bring original style to 'Smooth Jazz'". FOX 5 Atlanta. May 5, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Jacksonville Jazz Fest announces lineup at new site". Jacksonville Jazz Festival. March 15, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Watch Me Soar - Single by Josh Vietti & Trae tha Truth". Apple Music. July 10, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "Inspiring Conversations with Josh Vietti of On That Note Entertainment, Inc". VoyageLA. 2026. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  27. ↑ "713 Day Events in Houston". Houstonia. July 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  28. ↑ "MNUFC Celebrate Legion of the Loons Fans During Fan Appreciation Game on Saturday Night". Minnesota United FC. October 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Soul Asylum Headlines Gameday Activities on May 10". Minnesota United FC. May 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  30. 1 2 3 4 "Never Give Up by Josh Vietti". Apple Music. April 24, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  31. 1 2 3 "Victory Lap by Josh Vietti". Apple Music. 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Istanbul Nights". Apple Music Classical. 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 "Josh Vietti". Apple Music. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  34. ↑ "On That Note Entertainment". On That Note Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved August 31, 2026.