With SXSW 2013 just around the corner, and lineups not fully announced just yet, we wanted to make a definitive list of who the top SXSW hip-hop acts are. With that being said lets kick it off with..
Childish Gambino
Appearances: 2011, 2012
A solid sxsw 2012 showcase performance has shot up Gambino into the top 10 as a must see act for this year. For a comedian, it turns out that Glover is actually quite serious about his music. This dude spits like he’s battling someone. Go see this guy.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Appearances: 2011, 2012
These two guys have only been together since 2008 and they’re already making a splash in the Billboard charts right now. Their newest album, The Heist, has the whole industry buzzing. You might be asking right now “Who the fuck are these white dudes?” Well you can find out what they’re all about if you make it out to one of their showcases.
Big Krit
Appearances: 2010, 2011, 2012
I personally saw Big Krit myself three times last year. Every single performance, regardless of crowd size, krit went ham. In his SPIN showcase set dominated by his newest and arguably most accomplished tape 4EvaNaDay, it’s clear his hustle has never left him. “This is my third time in a row down here!” he mentioned towards the end of his stage-time, unlike plenty of other acts he seemed wonderfully proud of that fact. See him this year, you wont be disappointed.
Kendrick Lamar
Appearances: 2012
Kendrick is one of the most exciting newcomers to emerge from the west coast and maybe even hip-hop in general since Kanye West. (Remember the guy wearing the bright polo in a crowd of jerseys?) His debut album good kid, mAAd city received rave reviews, thanks to his forbiddingly diverse flows. He leaves no doubt that the person you hear in the songs is what he brings to his shows.
Theophilus London
Appearances: 2010, 2011, 2012
Theophilus brings a different type of energy to the stage during his performances. He always puts on a hyped up show that combines a little bit of Prince, and Andre 3000. The best part is he doesn’t leave you wondering why you didn’t go see that fat guy Rick Ross roll around the stage at Fader.
Wiz Khalifa
Appearances: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
With the support of his Taylor Gang labelmates, namely Juicy J, Wiz’s set during sxsw puts him at number 5 of this list. The best way to experience a show (or house party) like this is to get turnt up right in the middle of the pit with the rest of the diehard TG fans. The atmosphere that’s going to be created between these artists and the crowd will make this one of the most enjoyable and memorable performances during sxsw.
OFWGKTA
Appearances: 2011, 2012
If you’ve partied with wolf gang before, you’ll understand why they’re on the list. The psychodynamic hip-hop outfit OFWGKTA is mostly novelty, but it’s an entertaining one. Tyler The Creator with the help of Earl Sweatshirt and the rest of his gang put on a memorable show. If they wouldn’t of dissed their crowd at their Billboard showcase last year and left them, they might be closer to number one.
Iggy Azalea
Appearances: none
This is the only artist on the list who has never performed at a sx event. Seems like she’s been all over the Internet as of late and her new album The New Classic, is one of the most anticipated for 2013. On twitter before last years sxsw Iggy and I exchanged DM’s after reading that she would be at a karmaloop event. Unfortunately she had problems with her work visa and was unable to come. Lets hope this year will be different.
A$ap Rocky
Appearances: 2012
After what happened last year with the drunken 3:30 AM Vice Kills crowd on one of Asap’s last performances, I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t come. Then again with his album release just around the corner, it would be a mistake to pass up on the opportunity. This is one of the best shows if not THE best show to go to if you don’t fuck with…
Kanye & GOOD music
Appearances: 2009, 2011, 2012 (cameo)
The last time Kanye actually had his own performance in SXSW, he took over the power plant and made an epic GOOD music show with a surprise performance by HOV himself and a live high school band. I can only imagine what he has in store of us this year with his recent Cruel Summer release and GOOD music members confirming Cruel Winter is in the making. Could we possibly get a sneak peak at a new song? Sell your children if you have to.…
by Michael A
