text: Stephanie “Soli” Araujo
  Stephanie “Soli” Araujo is a writer, MC, and performer based in Washington Heights. She was the sole female MC in the hip hop group “The Machine” (2010-2019), formed as a collective by a dynamic group of storytellers whose bond is fortified by their New York and Dominican roots. The Machine has toured and performed at many venues as well as universities as a means to promote the spirit of hip-hop among a new generation. Soli’s work explores thematics such as gentrification, belonging, cultural heritage and other social political topics in her lyrics and poetry. Soli’s work was recognized by the Five Borough Story Project and Word Up Community Bookstore, and her voice is inspiring a new generation of poets and performers living in Uptown New York City.