SXSW 2012

DJ Grip, DJ Since, Young Spinna & DNSFAM official SXSW performers.

3 independent hip-hop groups (Southern Made Click, Fiyah Boy Ent. & Throwed House Click) came together to form their own label DIE SLO ENT. We're focused on promoting innovation & creativity in hip hop -- not just in Austin, but all over the world.

Dat Boi T, Born & Raised In Houston, Texas In The Neighborhood Of Second Ward. The 27 Year Old Hispanic Rap Artist is affiliated with the Legendary Screwed Up Click Founded By The Late Great DJ Screw (RIP). He is known as the Official "Screwed Up Essay" His Mixtapes Consist Of The “What’s Really Good!” Series, including parts: 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, & has recently dropped "What's Really Good 4.5" Mixed By DJ Flea of StickyGreen Productions. His 1st Original Project “Life In Da Slow Lane” Was Released January 1, 2009. Produced By Cy Fyre “The Most In Demand New Producer In Houston” & “Beat Extroadinare” Lo Key. The Single “Bangin Wit My Bubb Lightz” Featuring DJ Screw’s Brother, Al-D, Has Been Featured On Numerous Mixtapes, Not Including His Personal Library of 15 Full Length CD's. Dat Boi T has also teamed up with Houston Northside Rapper Lucky Luciano and produced projects "Thoed Essays" Mixed By DJ Eddie Deville & "Thoed Essays 2" Mixed By DJ Buddha of StickyGreen Productions. He and Lucky also came together to produce the "Houston Latin Mic Pass" Music Video which became an instant HIT and received HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of views setting off a trend of "Mic Pass" style videos from numerous other cities NATIONWIDE. He also has a many other SOLO Music Videos on YouTube with THOUSANDS of hits and his YouTube channel is over 1.5 Million views. Dat Boi T is quickly gaining a huge buzz NATION AND WORLDWIDE. He is also a 2 time Houston Press Music Award Nominee. He has his own clothing line and music video company and is an entrepreneur in every aspect of the game. His Official Website is http://www.ScrewedUpEssay.com or just "GOOGLE" his name and you will see for yourself his IMPRINT in the Rap Game.

UZOY (pronounced uzi) is a Nigerian-American female rapper and producer from the southeast side of Houston, TX. She began writing music in high school as a hobby and soon began to record her first songs.

“I don’t sound like anybody; I sound like HoodStar Chantz”

KPAUL and PIMPIN PEN are maternal cousins that have been making quality music since 1999 as V.I.P. They were signed to a label Mentally Twisted Records in early 1999 then later that year dropped consitant hits earning them instant recognition and local fame as teenagers. The same year they were featured on 88.7 KAZI's Texas Top 40 Countdown holding down the #1 spot for months. After going through contract disputes and miscommunication with the former label they decided to part ways and begin their own Nina Ross Records which is NOW one of the MOST RESPECTED and sought after INDEPENDENT labels in Tx. After releasing "Welcome 2 da GroundUnda" the two anchored a tour across Tx with Houston's own Trae and many more creating a solid street following through Tx and surrounding states. Not long after releasing "02 Block Edition" and "Plastic Crack" V.I.P set the standard in Austin's buzzing music scene. Despite legal issues and many incarcerations KPaul and Pimpin Pen remain at the TOP of their game releasing project after project through the trials and tribulations. As KPaul had to serve 3 yrs in Texas Department of Criminal Justice Pimpin Pen released "KingPen"which gained him "Artist of the Year" and "Album of the Year" in the same year as he held down the Nina Ross stable 1 deep continuing their dream. Now that V.I.P has created a SOLID fan base and INCREDIBLE street buzz through numerous mixtapes, concerts, tours and features with regional heavyweights they are set to release "Legacy" the FINAL sizzler before the ALBUM with Norway's own NastyKutt. With an undenying grind and a poised plan the two feel they are whats been missing in the INDUSTRY!!!

Gerald G was born in Compton, California, yet moved to Austin’s historic Eastside when he was merely 4 years old.Gerald G established Monsta Entertainment in 2003 as his self-owned vehicle for business ventures done on his own terms. He forcefully emerged as Austin’s most frequent show-stopping freestyler as he demanded the spotlight opening for many major main stream artists.

CHALIE BOY
Biography

“How many of ya’ll are familiar with the League of Extraordinary G’z?” was the question posed by Bavu Blakes, indie rap veteran and reigning godfather of the Austin Texas Hip Hop scene, as he stood on a dimly lit stage in the summer of 2009 introducing a highly anticipated debut live performance. The crowd of locals exploded. They were familiar.

Yung Nation is a 18 year old hip-hop duo from Dallas, Texas formed by Brandon Reed (B. Reed) and Kendall Johnson (Lil Faime). Yung Nation’s energy, creative rhyme scheme, unpredictable flow, and their indefinable vocabulary have gained the duo a loyal and growing following. Yung Nation has formed what is rarely seen in today’s hip-hop world, a culture. The “Yung Nation” movement is quickly spreading across the nation through the internet. Youths across the globe upload thousands of videos, adding up to over a million views dancing to Yung Nation’s music. B. Reed and Lil Faime are regarded as hip-hop’s next big internet sensation to reach a mainstream audience.

Doughbeezy was born in Cleveland, OH and moved to the Southeast side of Houston, TX at the age of 13.

MARCUS MANCHILD
As the new school trailblazer for Houston’s burgeoning Hip-Hop revival, Marcus Manchild is on a mission. The skateboard swag rhymespitter grew up on the Southwest side of Houston, raised on local celebrities like Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, ZRO and Lil KeKe. By 16, Marcus began making his own music, influenced by Houston greats, but geared to make his own mark with a new style.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Andre3000, Mac Dre, Ludacris, and Twista, Marcus began honing his skills and embracing new facets of rhyme. That boost in his lyrical prowess reached Texas-based indie label AMG (Authentik Music Group), who readily signed the rising star. His first project under the AMG umbrella was The Preseason mixtape, followed by the monumental SPACEDOUT. It was then that Marcus sealed the deal with his signature abstract (“out of this world”) style that earned him the name the “Space God”. Both projects included collaborations with with Soulja Boy, Yo Gotti, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, J Dawg, Killa Kyleon, ZRO, Paul Wall, Brian Angel (Day 26), and more.
The stage is now set for Marcus to put his new Houston flavor on the map with Preseason 2. The sequel mixtape is led by the cut “A Million” with Travis Porter and Big K.R.I.T., along with “Big Boi Shit” featuring former Boss Hogg Outlawz member Killa Kyleon. Preseason 2 will highlight Marcus Manchild’s undeniable lyrical escalation and drum anticipation for his next full-length project. In the midst of all of this music, Marcus is also part of the The Smokers Club Tour alongside the legendary Method Man, and featuring hard-hitting new talent like Big K.R.I.T., Curren$y, and Paypa. With his AMG team behind him and Preaseason 2 ahead, The Space God’s SPACEDOUT movement will take you to another galaxy.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas (Southside) and killing with some of the illest bars in the rap game. He’s better known as Killa Kyleon. Receiving his name Kyleon from Houston underground legend Big Pokey and being a product of the legendary Houston collective Screwed Up Click, headed by DJ Screw. He began his career at a young age, building his name in the Houston underground rap scene. While making noise in the area, Killa caught the attention of Slim Thug and his Boss Hogg Outlawz imprint. Impressed by his talent on the mic, Killa began his long path and friendship alongside Slim Thug, steering the ship of the Boss Hogg Outlawz movement as the follow-up artist to the labels flagship artist. Though well known in the H-Town quarters, regionally, and being featured on the nationally released Boss Hogg Outlawz Compilations, Killa began to breakaway from Boss Hogg and decided to take control of his future and leave his label after many years and move forward as a independent artist. With his master plan in place, Killa wasted no time in and showing the Hip-Hop world that Houston still has talent and lyricism down in the Lone Star State. Beginning his movement, he featured on Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ with the infectious record Spotlight. He has released mixtapes with DJ Drama: Natural Born Killa and his Candy Paint and Texas Plates series 1 & 2. As well as many critically acclaimed features with many of today's biggest artist and his own freestyles. Killa Kyleon easily stands out as one of the best and most diverse artists in the Texas area and as veteran in this rap game, first as a supporting player and now as the featured act. Killa Kyleon is finally ready to make a personal statement of his own. “RUN IT” is a testament to his hard work and creative personal vision.

THEESatisfaction are Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White. Stas was born and raised in Tacoma, Cat in Seattle and Hawaii. The pair live/laugh/love/dance and create in Seattle, WA. They write, produce and perform their own material, funk-psychedelic feminista sci-fi epics with the warmth and depth of Black Jazz and Sunday morning soul, frosted with icy raps that evoke equal parts Elaine Brown, Ursula Rucker and Q-Tip. They met by what was clearly cosmic happenstance at the University of Washington and haven’t stopped the flow since.

Audible Treats Official SXSW 2012 Hip-Hop Showcase featuring Talib Kweli, Souls of Mischief, Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins, Moe Green, A.Dd+, L.E.P. Bogus Boys, Roach Gigz, Andre Nickatina, SL Jones,TRUTHLiVE, DJ Toure, and THEESatisfaction.

Showcase DJ's: 4th Pyramid and Rapid Ric

All too often when people think of Little Rock, Arkansas, the first thing that comes to mind is HBO’s award-winning 1994 documentary Gang War: Bangin’ in Little Rock. Not any more. With the Rock on his back and a Razorbacks’ fitted cocked just so on his dome, rapper SL Jones is out to prove that Little Rock gangsters can bang in more ways than one. “I’m from one of those places where nobody has ever just stuck their chest out and made it appealing to be from where we’re from,” says Jones. “But I’m here to change that. No matter where I go, I am Little Rock.”

The Cowboys, the Grassy Knoll, J.R. Ewing, the Stanky Leg… Dallas, Texas, is known for lots of things. Progressive, forward-thinking hip-hop has, until now, not been one of them. That’s all starting to change, thanks to A.Dd+ (spoken aye-dee-dee). The quirky yet streetwise, fun-loving yet dead serious duo of Paris Pershun (a.k.a. 24-year-old Arrias Walls) and Slim Gravy (Dionte Rembert, 24), moves easily between slang anthems (“Likeamug”), light-hearted stories about drug addiction (“Can’t Come Down”/”Erica & Jamie”), and weighty raps about father figures and Black male incarceration (“Momma’s Brother”). Their 2011 LP When Pigs Fly has earned them praise from national media outlets including XXL and Pitchfork, which described the duo as “the rapper and the poet, the spawn of UGK and OutKast, combining street and cerebral.”

Almost a year ago, Moe Green released Rocky Maivia: Non-Title Match, earning the Vallejo, California native strong reviews and high acclaim, as well as a coveted Show & Prove feature in XXL Magazine to go along with his spot in KMEL’s inaugural Bay Area Freshman 10 class. Despite the early accomplishments, Green has kept his hard work consistent, choosing to remain the focal point of each of his releases. This includes his forthcoming EP, Lionheart, a testament to the Vallejo rapper's continued keen focus, determination, and passion. Moe Green's new EP, Lionheart, will be released on June 27th and is being presented by OnSMASH and BRWTNSS.

Faith is something that MC, producer and Interdependent Media (iM) owner Evan "TRUTHLiVE" Phillips understands. Living through three heart surgeries, “Live truth. Truth life,” has become his motto and is evident in every aspect of his music. His highly anticipated debut album, Patience, features production from Jake One, one of hip-hop's most respected names. With the release of Patience, TRUTHLiVE hopes to breathe truth and life into the music industry.

Muldrow, a prolific vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist, comes from a musical family. Her father, the late Ronald Muldrow, was a jazz musician and her mother, Rickie Byars-Beckwith, a singer with the Pharoah Sanders Ensemble and co-founder of Sound of Agape Rhythms. She’s also a proud mother to her son Nokware Perkins with her husband & music partner Dudley Perkins (aka Declaime). Muldrow’s discography includes various pieces of work from Soul to Jazz to Hip-Hop to Electronic and is as impressive as it is long for someone her age.

Since ancient times, the elders have taught us that a man is not merely someone who is born a male. It is he who rises to the occasion of protecting his community — he who assumes the responsibility of
setting a righteous example from within himself is truly worthy of his manhood. In a world now obsessed over immature desires and leading many to unfortunate realities, the necessity for true manhood has jumped exponentially. It is in these times that a man in his rarest form must stir against the tide of conformity......and Declaime answers that call with his entire being.

From Thomas Fawcett, The Austin Chronicle:

Dee-1's syrupy Southern drawl is one of the freshest young voices in hip-hop. The New Orleans native and LSU grad taught middle school in the Crescent City for two years before making beats and rhymes a full-time gig. While Dee-1 walks and talks like a Cash Money Millionaire, his content is cool but conscious: "Every rapper needs to lose they deals and earn 'em back/Most of 'em done let the industry take 'em and turn 'em wack.

“Music is my canvas …

King Louie Bio

If you haven’t heard the buzz yet, let it be known that Chicago native Rockie Fresh is quickly becoming your next favorite rapper. Only 20-years-old and starting his music career just a few years ago, this young up-and-comer is already one of the hottest independent artists in hip-hop.

The Airplane Boys bring a unique energy and excitement back to the stage. This Toronto-based duo is on the verge of something big. Their band is a fresh sound on the scene, a trail-blazing cutting-edge movement for the urban culture. Their revolutionary pop/hip-hop music is built upon
captivating synths, experimental drum patterns and intricate lyrics.

The Stepkids are futuristic electro soul recorded on a reel-to-reel; soaring harmonies sung by three singer/songwriters; Kandinsky-esque visuals that make for enigmatic live performances.

Trae grew up in Houston, Texas. Born and raised a product of it’s south side streets. Among other notable distinctions, he’s a member of the Screwed Up Click and the ABN Gang. Since his first appearance on wax, on his cousin Z-ro’s debut CD, Look What You Did To Me, to this moment today, Trae has been one of the most consistently lyrical, street reporters this region has ever known.

Travis Porter is a triple threat for hip hop.
Comprised of three unique 20-year-old MCs—“Strap” (Harold Duncan), “Quez” (Donquez Woods), and “Ali” (Lakeem Mattox)—the Atlanta rap trio is packing club-ready hooks, intricate rhymes, and down south swagger. On their hit single “Bring It Back,” they slide through a slick, sexy beat and chant out an anthemic chorus that’ll set any crowd off, while the follow-up "College Girl" is clever urban pop built on stories of long distance relationships. With their full-length debut for Jive Records on the horizon, these three distinct personalities make Travis Porter a name to remember in modern hip hop.
Their sound is a brew of quirky inventive production with razor sharp rhyming. However, Travis Porter takes everything one step further. “All of us have our own flavor and swag that we bring to the table,” declares Strap. “Quez is chill, but he can go crazy. Ali is hyper and amped up all the time. I’m laidback. We’re not related, but we’re the same people. That’s where the concept of Travis Porter came from. Together, we always try to come up with original styles of flowing, phrases, and beats.”
That’s exactly what Travis Porter have been doing since they first took the Atlanta scene by storm in 2006. Stepbrothers Ali and Quez metStrap in eighth grade, and immediately clicked. They got into trouble together, they made music together, and they began hustling their brand together. In order to get noticed, at 17-years-old, the three of them would sneak into strip clubs to perform their songs. “In Atlanta, that’s the number one spot to break your records,” exclaims Quez. “We’d perform a song and get up out of there quickly, but the crowds were feeling it.”
Crowds everywhere beyond just the clubs started feeling it in a big way too. Travis Porter gained worldwide recognition performing nationally and then touring Japan and Germany, while still unsigned. Their independent track “Go Shorty Go” hit the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, while their breakout single, “Make It Rain”, charted on the Billboard Top 100. They also developed an overwhelming online presence with over 60 million YouTube views and massive Twitter and Facebook followings. Jive formally joined forces with them at the end of 2010, and the next phase began.
In terms of influences, Ali¸Quez, and Strap definitely share similar playlists. Quez goes on, "We all have the same influences, The Hot Boyz T.I., and Outkast. That definitely had a big impact on the music." The strands of classic Southern hip hop pulsate at the heart of TravisPorter's sound, but the group infuses their own attitude cultivated by years of real living in the ATL.
There’s a three-pronged approach to Travis Porter, and Quez best describes the mix of styles. “We make party music, we make bedroom music, and we also make what we like to call ‘differenter’ music, which is hot crazy pop. We do whatever comes naturally.”
Travis Porter has the power to pull in all kinds of audiences though. On their single, “College Girl,” the group creates an unforgettable and unique pop jam that illuminates another side of their experience and it sees the group reaching a wider audience in a positive way. Strap goes on, "We want to be diverse and make music for everybody. So many guys have girlfriends that go off to college. My girl didn’t leave me, but she went to school out of town. The song is about a long distance relationship with a college girl. It isn’t sad though; I’m bragging about her because I’ve got a smart girl and it’s all good.”
About “College Girl,” Quez adds, “She’s cool. She’ll take shots with the homeys, and she’s always around when she’s in town. However, she still has to go back to school. It’s a record for the females and it shows another side of Travis Porter."Ultimately, a desire to be "differenter" fuels Travis Porter. Strap concludes. "We try to be ourselves. A lot of young cats just ride the waves. You've got to constantly reinvent yourself. You've got to show people you can make more than one type of song. It's about staying hungry. You can't let up. You take these three guys and they make up one dude—Travis Porter. Three heads are better than one."

Also known as "The Writer." Born in Inglewood, raised in Watts, his entry into the music industry was working for Rodney Jerkins & Ricc Rude(Destiny Child's - Cater 2 You). Shortly after that he met artists fellow West Coast artists Damani and Soopafly and formed the group Western Union. That music then found its way into the hands of Snoop Dogg and the rest was history. Their first major label appearance was on the song "Like This" from Snoop Dogg 2006 album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. His most noticeable achievement is writing three songs on Snoop Dogg's 2009 album Malice n Wonderland. Those songs include "Gangsta Luv" "I Wanna Rock" and"1800". Now an artist on Diamond Lane Music Group, Bad Lucc is set to bring his raw and vivid style to the forefront. When asked what his place in the industry will be, his response is "etched in stone, I will be remembered."

In the evolving world of music, diversity is the key to success. When JON MCXRO came together, their mission was clear: put all of their talents to the forefront and merge them into one unique sound.

Born in Germany, raised in Compton, Problem entered the industry writing a verse for producer & friend Terrace Martin, on a song called "Be Thankful", featured on Snoop Dogg's compilation album "The Big Squeeze". The track garnered praise from notable artists such as Nas & Talib Kweli among others. Recording tracks with recognized artists such as Daz, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, & DJ Quik, Problem's first big break was when Snoop Dogg heard a record which was also produced by Terrace Martin called "Neva Hafta To Wurry About That". He went on to write three records on Snoop Dogg's "Ego Trippen" LP. Over the span of his career Problem has dropped seven mixtapes, was signed to Universal & has experienced much success with the release of his party anthem "I'm Toe Up". With the talent and accolades to match, Problem is destined to shine. When asked Problem what style of music he wants to present to the world his response is "Whatever the (expletive) I feel like doing. I will not be boxed into any style or genre of music. So when you try to classify my style of rapping, don't. Just let me be an artist." You can expect the unexpected from the Diamond Lane recording artist, as well as new records, mixtapes, and especially more albums.

Rocky Rivera is a Hip-Hop journalist by day, MC by night, who found international acclaim by winning a Contributing Editor position on MTV's docu-series "I'm From Rolling Stone" in 2007. After lacking inspiration in the literary world, she decided to finally pursue Hip-Hop as a participant, not only as an observer, and began to fill the void with thought-provoking music that you can dance to. A dynamic perfomer, her all-lady crew consisting of DJ Roza and emcee Irie Eyez display a daringly different side of Hip Hop you have to experience to believe. Noted music critic Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation writes “My whole career has been about getting people to hear the stories that need to be heard, and I think her story really needs to be heard.”

Self Scientific is DJ Khalil & Chace Infinite.

Do you and work hard,” says a laid back Skeme over lunch at a health food café in an affluent area of Los Angeles.  “That’s the best advice I got from my big bro about the business and that’s what I do.” Speaking with a confidence and maturity well beyond his twenty-one years on earth, it’s not hard to see why so many people believe in and supports Skeme as an artist.

Strong Arm Steady was formed in the shadows of the West Coast’s Death Row Records movement, which at one time, loomed large over much of the region’s talent. Many Los Angeles artists—themselves students and children of Death Row—were becoming frustrated at the gang mentality that colored perceptions of their burgeoning underground. Out of that frustration came resourcefulness and unity, and as unity grew into community, L.A.’s indie scene began to blossom, not in opposition to Death Row, but as an alternative. They are the new generation. They are Strong Arm Steady.

Starting off the new year in good artistic fashion, Terrace Martin is in preparation to not only release some of his best work, but to also make more appearances on the show circuit. Over a 17-year span, this "young veteran" has built an impressive catalogue of his best production (and personal works) that has withstood the test of a "here-today-gone-tomorrow" industry and unpredictable digital era. Jazz is his first love, Hip Hop his second. Somehow, Terrace has successfully managed to dedicate his time to both, garnering the hearts of fans from each genre.