SXSW came, great performances went down, and it definitely conquered all media for 7 days. Unfortunately Next In Show couldn't make it out this year, but we are planning big things for 2013. A few of my friends and featured artists on our blog made it down and were privelaged enough to perform. L./\ considered it a "great stepping stone in her learning process...". Lyriciss made his return this year to the festival and said "it was bigger for me this year". Ryshon Jones not only met superproducer legend 9th Wonder, but also got to perform at 2 showcases including one opening for Schoolboy Q. Read below my exclusive mini interviews with these three artists.
SXSW Interviews
Ryshon Jones
How was your debut at SXSW?
How was your debut at SXSW?
It was awesome the crowd was on point everything felt good it was the first time I enjoyed a performance of my self.
What showcases did you participate in?
I was on the bombonem/uheardthatnew stage with sts john conor. laws and a few others
How did you end up opening for School Boy Q?
i was actually removed from the show wont even say why
Besides your own performance, do you think any other performance were buzzworthy?
I think by. far 50cent performing was the most popular show.
What was it like to meet hip-hop legend 9th Wonder?
It was crazy he knew of me we didnt talk much but it was enough for me
Do you think SXSW helped grow your fanbase?
I dont think I did enough down there but I promise next year will be a whole diffrent ball game
L./\
What was it like for you to perform at such an epic festival like SXSW?
What was it like for you to perform at such an epic festival like SXSW?
Firstly its a blessed experience to be in the presence of so much art and artists. The whole week was a great stepping stone in my learning process and was also beneficial to my growth as an artist. As for my performance it was really dope especially with all these people I never met before.
What were your expectations about SXSW before going there?
I didn't really have many, I kinda knew the deal since we have festivals similar in NY like CMJ. However, my expectations as a whole for Austin was different, cause I was expecting more cowboys. :(
What showcases were you a part of?
I got to rock at the SXMW2 show with GLC, Boog Brown, Lyric Jones, Harmony Muzik and a bunch more. I also got to do some quick freestyle joints at some other spots that I can't remember lol. It was sooooo much going on.
What is one thing you learned about yourself after attending SXSW?
I learned .... that I really love music, that Hip Hop is truly life and that next year.....we go big or go home.
Congratulations on your success at SXSW.
Thanks!
I learned .... that I really love music, that Hip Hop is truly life and that next year.....we go big or go home.
Thanks!
Lyriciss
Was this your first time performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas?
Nah, actually my second year doing SXSW. This year was bigger for me, though.
What showcases were you featured in?
I was featured in "The Indie Life" concert that SmCity & Harmony Muzik put together, which featured them as performers, as well as 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology), Jon Connor, Rapsody, Maffew Ragazino, Pro'Verb, Nike Nando, Carlitta Durand (along with Jabee), Kooley High, Beanie Sigel, & more. I was also featured in Sean Falyon & Playboy Tre's Red Cup Party, which was under the umbrella of 3 events in one location that my label (Inner Loop Media Group) put together, dubbed "Beats, Rhymes, & Alcohol". The Red Cup Party had me, El Prez, Shawn Chrystopher, Big Rec, Stanza, & more performing. That show was dope as hell to me, because I wasn't quite hip to a lot of the performers before the show, but a lot of them were insane with it. Made me a fan out of a few of them.
I’m sure you met a lot of important and influential people. Who did you have the best conversation with?
I can't really call it, man...I like to have some good short conversations with a lot of people, and a lot of that was going on at SXSW. I've never been the type of rapper to just promote to you and walk off...I'd rather chop it up with you for a little bit and pick at your brain. I had some really good conversations with Jabari, Peter Rosenberg, Jabee, & Kane Mayfield, though. Oh, the most shocking short convo was between me and Sha Stimuli...he stopped me on the stairs after I rocked at The Red Cup Party and told me that he was a fan of my music and my live show. That shit meant a lot to me because I'm a Sha Stimuli fan. "Brooklyn Stand Up" still gets heavy plays from me, and I'm not even FROM there. He's telling me he's a fan and I literally said to him, "do you know who YOU are, though?" That was dope.
What did you do in your downtime?
I didn't really have much downtime...I found a lil' bit of time to rest at the hotel or chill with my girl, though. Aside from that, I was just walking around and performing or networking.
Was there anything you wish you would have done that maybe you didn’t get to?
More shows. I really wish I could have done more shows, but I couldn't really campaign on that because my USB malfunctioned while I was out there. So I couldn't access my show set at will. I had my DJ there for my Indie Life showcase, then I had to borrow Pro'Verb's USB for my Red Cup Party showcase. If I could have had my own USB and went 100% on getting more shows, I think I would have felt a little more satisfied.
Who did you see that had the best performance?
Hands down, Machine Gun Kelly at the SOBs 30th Anniversary show, at The Belmont. I'm not going to say too much on that...if you see the full footage of his set...the best performance, period. Big Rec is an amazing performer, along with Shawn Chrystopher. Rapsody...Oddisee...I saw a lot of dope live performances.
Congratulations on your success at SXSW.
Thanks, man, truly appreciate that! A3C's not too far away! *laughs*
Congrats to @ryshonjones @ucancallmela @lyriciss. Stay on your grind. Stay humble. #nextinshow
