7 SXSW Hip-Hop Moments You Might Care About, Even if You Weren’t at SXSW Posted by Nathan S. on 03/19/12 | Filed under Features, SXSW

Listening to people talk about what happened at a music festival you weren't at is like listening to someone talk about their dreams - even if you politely listen, you're mostly just thinking "I don't care, I don't care, I don't care." So instead of doing some SXSW wrap-up you don't want to read, I'm only picking out seven moments you might actually maybe possible actually care about.

1) SXSW has been slowly but steadily moving away from its indie music roots, but this year it was obviously that corporate money had really taken over. Not only did Lil Wayne change his name to Deweezy for his Mountain Dew sponsored show (Weezy x Mountain Dew = Deweezy), but one night I turned the corner to find Snoop Dogg playing inside a gigantic Doritos vending machine. Seriously. A giant fucking vending machine.



How's that for your "SXSW has gone corporate" symbology?

2) Saw 50 Cent perform all of "Get Rich or Die Tryin" as part of that "suddenly older artist performs their entire classic album" movement that's happening. Obviously the serious G-Unit stans loved every second of it, but it mostly made me realize one thing - "Get Rich or Die Tryin" has more than a couple skippable tracks.

That album's a classic because it was a force, part of the larger Rise of 50 Cent moment that was happening, but purely musically? Yeah, I'd actually just rather hear 50 do the album's singles.



3) Also go to hear Slaughterhouse open for Fiddy. For me they fall very solidly in the "good to see once so you can say you've seen them, but not particularly interested in seeing them again" category. Overall it was a good show, everyone was solid, Budden was actually pretty fucking funny, but I don't know what would bring me back for another show.

It's also pretty interesting to watch them navigate the group vs. solo artist dynamic. At least for this show their formula was to let every member of the team do one song solo (ex. "Lighters" for Royce, "Jump Off" for Budden, etc.).



4) One last note on the Shady Showcase: I don't know why Big K.R.I.T. was performing on it, but he...fucking...First 48ed that stage.



At one point I looked over and saw Brother Ali singing along to every word of "Rotating My Tires". If there's a better testament to the power of K.R.I.T.'s music to reach everyone who loves hip-hop, regardless of where they're from and what music they "usually" listen to, I don't know it.

5) As long as we're talking about Brother Ali, got to hear some of his upcoming "Mourning in America" and holy shit this album's going to be dope. Produced entirely by Jake One, coming this summer. I'll be all over this album like Rick Ross on a bucket of Wing Stop.



6) Rittz is on the verge of something huge. As the man with the biggest white white fro in hip-hop was rocking the mothership stage a spontaneous "White Jesus" chant went up from the crowd, the same way you hear Bulls fans chant "M.V.P.!!!" when D. Rose is playing out of his mind. That kind of genuine fan support can't be faked, we haven't even begun to see the damage Rittz is capable of doing to the game.

Performance video coming soon, nice little interview for now:



7) As I've written before, Prodigy does not give a fuck. In fact, he doesn't even give a fraction of a fuck. I got the chance to shake his hand backstage, tell him how much Mobb Deep affected my love of hip-hop growing up, and he couldn't have possible cared less - which in a weird way made me like him ever more.

His non-fuck giving attitude is exactly what I listen to Prodigy, and let me tell you, in person the man's every bit as fuck-free as he sounds on the mic. Oh, and he and Havoc are both like 5' 2", seriously.

And there you have it, seven SXSW moments you might just maybe possible care about even if you weren't at SXSW. If you make it down next year we'll all throw down RefinedHype Nation style, and if you don't, I wouldn't worry about it.

See Also: 2 Chainz Brings Out Rapper & Guest Appearance Pro Kanye West At SXSW Show (Video)