Free The Optimus is an Asheville, North Carolina based hip hop collective focused on bringing improvisational lyricism to jazz influenced boom bap soundscapes. C.Shreve defines Free the Optimus as “a call to action—to set free our optimal ability & our optimistic perspective, and to transform the world around us.” In live performance form, FTO consists of C.Shreve the Professor and Mike L!VE on vocals, DJ Jet on the turntables, and a rotating selection of guest MCs & musicians. The jazz / hip hop mindset of free form improvisation and collaboration is a vital component to the FTO live experience, as songs and structure are often tossed aside in favor of the energy and groove of the moment. Free The Optimus has toured and shared stages with The Pharcyde, Big Boi, The Hieroglyphics, Camp Lo, Lupe Fiasco, Raekwon, Cannibal Ox, Nappy Roots, Talib Kweli, DJ Enuff, Big K.R.I.T., Three 6 Mafia, Guilty Simpson, BJ the Chicago Kid, Planet Asia, Blueprint, The Palmer Squares, Tanya Morgan, Illogic, Rapper Big Pooh, and many more. FTO has performed at Hopscotch Music Festival, Blue Plum Festival, Beats and Bars Festival, Harvest Boone, Hidden In The Hollow, DURM Hip Hop Summit, Boone in Blossom, Raleigh Fall Music Festival, and GURP Fest.