Fiona Bloom: Hip Hop's Freshest Fifty at SXSW (2024)

I’m really excited to be bringing you this ‘Freshest Fifty’ at SXSW list. Several reasons but mainly because I’ve been watching this genre grow at SXSW. I’ve been attending this festival/conference since the early days when primarily it was very much Indie Rock. There were perhaps 2 or 3 Hip Hop showcases. The majority of the Hip Hop was Texas Rap very localized. I worked back in the day with a promoter called Hip Hop Mecca who were brought on by SXSW to develop the Hip Hop stuff so together we brought a few very successful shows which included Company Flow, Zion I, Atmosphere, Pharcyde and several others. Hip Hop Mecca started bringing Hip Hop on the regular and as it became more evident that audiences and industry were loving it and well received- that’s when they brought on my friend/colleague Matt Sonzala of HoustonSoReal and he moved to Austin and the rest is history! Hip Hop is all over SXSW

I sorted through the hundreds of Hip Hop acts showcasing to bring you the Must Follow Finest- Don’t get pissy or mad at me if you’re not included. It’s just a list- It’s my taste/opinion. I’m entitled to it:-)

In no particular order:

J Cole
Diz Gibran
The Beatards
Bun B
Rye Rye
Rapid Ric
Smif N Wessun
Nas & Damian Marley
Adam Tensta(Sweden)
Nneka (Nigeria/Germany)
MC Frontalot
Peanut Butter Wolf
Juiceboxxx
Homeboy Sandman
Eyeris
Madlib
Truth Universal
Curren$y
Jern Eye
Fat Pimp
Outasight
A-Alikes
ChocQuib Town- Colombia
Dourrough
Pac Div
Paul Wall & Chamillionaire
Wiz Khalifa
Hollywood Holt
Pharoahe Monch
Damaged Good$
Anita Tijoux- France
Kosah Dillz
Buckshot
Jean Grae
Eternia
Bahamadia
Empire Isis
Redman
Loop Troop Rockers- Sweden
LidoLido- Norway
La Melodia- Holland
Tiye Pheonix
Blacklisted Individuals
GZA
Killer Mike
At Versaris- Catalonia
Invincible
Donnis
The Cool Kids
U.N.I

Have to big up Lyricist Lounge my boys- been down with them since pretty much day 1…Big ups Ant Marshall and Danny Castro. You know you got to support real hip hop- the open mic, the aesthetic- where these true mc’s get their start- an outlet created for the real lyricist to get their shine one, work out their new material- hone their craft. In its 19th year – can’t believe it’s their first time making their presence known at SXSW– Good things come to those that wait- with that being said- – watch out their 20th Anniversary it’s going to be crazy!!! So please support them.. Wednesday, March 17th at The Independent. 8PM-2am featuring Pac Div, XV and Diz Gibran. Hosted by Ant Marshall.

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This is going to be an insane Official at SX! Babygrande, Frank Radio and Nat Geo at Spill on Friday night. Check the line up. Crazy and introducing all the way live from Israel – Terry Poison. I introduced them to the U.S back in October for CMJ and it’s been non-stop ever since! Who knew they’d be opening for Redman!

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Speaking of Freshest Fifty– The Hip Hop Howl Showcase has to be the dopest ‘Unofficial’ 50…Every artist on this bill is super lovely! Shouts to Crosmopolitan for producing this in addition to hosting along with the lovely Miz Metro

Fire!!!!. It’s running like a mixtape back to back!!! Seriously check the flyer- check who’s rocking this HHH cos too many to mention here but like I said- all really kick ass killer!!

Red Fez– Friday, March 19th- 1-8PM and FREE- no badges, wristbands ,no nothing- just show up!!!