Career and love brought hip-hop MC Flare Tha Rebel™ back to his hometown of Kansas City, MO, which created a second wind of new music. Noted by The Pitch, “As a member of hip-hop collective Anti-Crew, Flare Tha Rebel made quite an impact on the Kansas City hip-hop scene. After making the leap from KC to Chicago in the late ‘00s, he’s now back…” Flare’s new music continues to gain traction, as his song “Playground" was voted the Number 1 Song of 2022 by listeners of 90.9 FM The Bridge.

Known for a highly energetic live performance, Flare often performs with a full band known as Woodland Ave. Derived from the street name of the school where they met; Woodland Ave. is a collective of four solo artists. Flare Tha Rebel (vocals), Ryan Marquez (keys, vocals), Matt Phoenix (guitar, vocals), and Bob Pulliam (drums), all of which met at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City, MO joined by Lauren Williams (bass). As a band, Woodland Ave. infuses elements of hip hop, rock, pop, and jazz.

There’s also a duality to Flare’s approach as many of his songs are connected to his Art to Empower initiative, raising awareness and funds for a variety of social justice causes and nonprofits. Such as his Royalty EP poster designed by muralists JT Daniels, which raises funds for the Equal Justice Initiative and music video release party for single “Rosé All Day” that raised funds for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault.

Flare has shared the stage with artists such as Chance the Rapper, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Mac Lethal, Nappy Roots, and CES Cru. Flare Tha Rebel's most recent release is his acclaimed EP, Summer You, Summer Me.