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Glenn Lewis. Photo by Leon Laing.

Husband-and-wife duo Kindred holds a musical showcase called Kindred Presents. The showcase offers an intimate conversation and performance. On May 7, the musical guests included DJ Aktive, Big Bub, EST and Glenn Lewis. Kindred, the modern-day Ashford & Simpson, hosts the event at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts.

Glenn Lewis: Drake wasn’t the first artist to put the Toronto on the map. In 2002, singer Glenn Lewis dropped his classic World Outside My Window album. During his interview with Kindred, Lewis mentioned other notable artists from Canada, such as Melanie Fiona and Daniel Caesar. The Stevie Wonder protégé performed songs including his hit “Don’t You Forget It” and “This Love.” Backstage, I showed Glenn my DVD of his first concert I attended. The concert, held on May 24, 2002, took place at Philly’s TLA. Aside from the DVD, we talked about how are dads are both Jamaican; his mother is Trinidadian. Glenn and I are also the same age.

EST: EST was the frontman from 90s Philly group Three Times Dope. EST discussed old-school and new-school artists from Philly. The rapper gave props to Tat Money, a Philly-based DJ who DJed for Kwamé and other rappers. EST then complimented newcomer Lil Uzi Vert on his music and large following. After his rap career, EST became an award-winning songwriter for top-tier acts, most notably for Destiny’s Child’s “Cater 2 U” and Beyonce’s “Baby Boy,” “Me, Myself and I” and “Naughty Girl.” EST’s birth name, Robert Waller, can be found on those songwriting credits.

Big Bub: Big Bub used to sing lead for Today. Today, a group from the New Jack Swing era, crafted gems including “Girl I Got My Eyes on You” and “Why You Get Funky on Me,” a song Bub performed that night. During his interview, he said he didn’t receive credit for writing Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative,” a song Bub also sang background vocals on. He wrote songs for other singers, such as Mary J. Blige’s “You Gotta Believe,” too.

DJ Aktive: The West Philly native DJed at the event. Before his set, Aktive spoke with Kindred. As a DJ, he looks up to DJ Jazzy Jeff, another native of Philly. “Jazzy Jeff is a musical genius,” Aktive said.