Sho Baraka on “High Charity” missions off stage

Sho Baraka (right) posted this photo to his Instragram account after a well-digging mission trip to Guatemala

 

Back in March, at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, DaSouth.com co-owner Bobby "Tre9" Herring and I connected with High Society founding member Sho Baraka backstage to ask about how he integrates Christian mission work into his life outside of music.

Although he was a bit reluctant to do so for fear of sounding boastful, he did take a few moments to provide some examples of what he's doing in his community and encourage others to do the same.

Oh yeah, there's also a special message at the end for people who were concerned about his faith after leaving Reach Records and stating he no longer desired to make music exclusively for the Christian market.

VIDEO: Andy Mineo & Ruslan (theBREAX) share their biggest mistake

At SXSW 2012, Tre9 and I moderated a panel discussion of Christian rap artists including Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, Von Won, k-Drama, Thi'sl, Ruslan (of theBREAX), KB, and PRo. 

In the video clip below, Andy Mineo and Ruslan share their biggest music ministry mistake (so far) so that others can learn from it.

INTERVIEW: Ruslan of theBREAX at SXSW 2012

Here's a quick video interview I did with Ruslan of theBREAX at SXSW shortly after our DJ and MC Skills competition.

In it, he discusses that event, the talent level of Christians in hip hop, and how to strategically market their work. As you can tell, he was excited.

Rice University linebacker making waves with free Christian rap album & Marvin Sapp remake

Just a few years ago Ronnie Lillard was turning heads in Reliant Stadium for his linebacker play with the Rice Owls versus the University of Texas Longhorns.

Now, after an injury sidelined his collegiate football career, he's making waves as a burgeoning Christian hip hop artist named Reconcile with the Full Ride Music Group recently formed by St. Louis rapper Thi'sl.

Thi'sl told me that Reconcile was the "epitome" of the type of artist he would want on his record label and added him to the company after seeing Lillard's work ethic from afar and hearing positive reports from Houston about his character.

He said he was impressed by Reconcile's self-shot and edited videos frequently posted on DaSouth.com. He continued to follow the young rapper's moves and got to really connect with him when Thi'sl was a headline performer at the "Hope for the Tre" concert in Third Ward.

"The thing I love about him most is that when I went to his church they spoke so highly of him," Thi'sl said. "They talked about how he was studying at a top-rated college, actively serving his community, and discipling new believers."

"And on top of all that, he's dope musically!"

I caught up with Reconcile at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin a few weeks ago where he told me more about his connection to FRMG, his post-college plans, and the importance of hip hop to urban ministry.



Full Ride Music's first official drop is Abandoned Hope - a free album released online last Friday, March 23. It contains a remix of the "U Rydin" song (now featuring PRo) that lit up SXSW 2011 and a hip hop interpretation of the Marvin Sapp gospel hit "Never Would Have Made It" (seen below).



Sample or download Abandoned Hope for free via the widget below.

SXSW 2012 recap

MC skills competition opening round
All photos by Sketch the Journalist unless otherwise noted

Many are saying that 2012 was the year hip hop took over the South by Southwest festival. Although predominantly geared toward independent acts, this year’s SXSW event was notable for appearances and concerts by the likes of Jay-Z, NaS, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Eminem, and Rick Ross.

It was also a monumental time for Christian hip hop with the DaSouth.com putting together an official stage for the fourth year in a row and the additions of a Reach Records showcase at La Zona Rosa and a side set organized by rhythm and praise site GroovSpot.com.

It would be next to impossible to try and catalog everything that went down, but here are a few of my personal highlights with some photo and video help from others who were kind enough to help us cover it from various angles.

Friday Night Kickoff Concert

The weekend kicked off with the DaSouth.com/CityTakers SXSW party at the Horizon Worship Center. This mega concert contained performances by theBREAX, k-Drama, bigAL, Peculiar Image, Frontline Movement, Kingz Camp and others.

theBREAX rock the set

Frontline Movement's table offered an advance copy of Reconcile's upcoming "Abandoned Hope" album from Full Ride Music Group

k-Drama performed some new music

The homie Spoken came down from Toronto to attend the event

Exodus' Lapo performed and also played camera man
throughout the weekend

It was also a good time for fellowship between fans and other artists.

D.C.'s Too Phliy and former Baltimore boy Beleaf Melanin from theBREAX
sparked a convo backstage

Cross Movement Records' Director of New Media Brandon Stubbs
and Jerrell Johnson share a word backstage

And like many a Christian rap event, it ended up at IHOP.

Saturday Morning - Carver Cultural Center

Scott Free help cats understand the missional mindset

CityTakers’ Scott Free kicked off the morning with a workshop geared toward helping rappers understand the right way to approach their ministry and music careers by being missional. DJ Wade-O even mentioned it as one of his favorite events of the entire weekend.

Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, and Von Won fielded questions
at the panel discussion
Photo by Rosalinda Chapa

Afterwards, a panel discussion was held with artists and insiders about the practicalities of full-time music ministry. I, Sketch the Journalist, moderated the conversation and the participants included Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, Von Won, k-Drama, Thi’sl, Ruslan, KB, PRo, and even a surprise appearance by Reach Records’ co-owner Ben Washer.

The full panel

Topics included the benefits of being signed to a label, whether or not to respond to online critics, and how to, after shows, identify people who are just fans and want to talk music and those who are actually seeking authentic ministry.

Aslan takes center stage at the DJ skills competition

Next, we had the first ever DJ skills competition organized and hosted by DJ Promote. The participants were DJ Vow, DJ Stibs, and DJ Aslan who competed for $300 and a DaSouth.com/CityTakers SXSW trophy.

(L to R) Tre9, DJ Wade-O, DJ Primo, DJ D-Lite, DJ Aslan,
DJ Promote, Scott Free, DJ Vow, and DJ Stibs

DJ Wade-O, DJ Primo, and DJ D-Lite judged an opening set from each entrant and decided who would go the final round. Stibs got bounced in the first round but earned props from the panel for spinning actual vinyl instead of just utilizing a computer-program based set. In the end, DJ Aslan took home the cash and bragging rights.

After that, we kicked off the bracket-style MC skills competition. You can get full details of how it was run and what the prizes were here, but basically, eight MCs from various geographic regions competed head to head for the best freestyle based on five topics presented to them just seconds before they spit their verse. Special props go to bigAL and Trevor Lee who honorably stepped in for two competitors who were unable to make the event at the last minute.

Atlanta’s Enlitement faced a tough challenge from New Orleans’ Gifted da Flamethrowa in the first round but ended up getting the crowd fully behind him with the following set.

(L to R) Chris Chicago, R-Swift, Jerrell Johnson, Tre9, and Scott Free

The finals included Enlitement and Tampa’s Jerrell Johnson. The two MCs’ sets left judges R-Swift, Tre9, and Chris Chicago feeling torn so they asked both guys to go one last round with a single topic. In the clip below, you’ll see the homie Jerrell Johnson take the title with a freestyle rap about “spare tires” that he had to use in at least three different ways. Just wait until you hear his asparagus line.



Watch the complete final round and tie-breaker sets here.

Saturday Night – La Zona Rosa

Later that night it was time for the Reach Records official SXSW showcase at La Zona Rosa. This night club held hip hop showcases all week which included ones with performances by B.O.B., T.I., Statik Selektah, Talib Kweli, and Pharaohe Monch.

But on this Saturday, immediately following a set by the lovely Norah Jones, the entire Reach Records and Reach Booking rosters took to the stage.

DJ Wade-O manned the tables for Thi'sl's set

Highlights included Thi’sl introducing Houston’s Reconcile as the newest member of his Full Ride Music Group crew, High Society jamming their collective works, Andy Mineo controlling the crowd, and Lecrae debuting some new material from his upcoming mixtape.



Just before Lecrae hit the stage for his set, I caught up with him for a quick interview about his SXSW experience, how the BET Awards Cypher created opportunities for him in Austin, and what to look for with his new direction.



I’m told that the Reach Records showcase drew roughly the same crowd to La Zona Rosa as other hip hop concerts there that week and that, on that same night, they were invited back to perform there next year. This is definitely a good look for Christian hip hop as a whole so be praying about that opportunity for 2013.

And as the Reach concert was winding down, I headed downtown with Tre9, Scott Free, Jerrell Johnson, Enlitement, Gifted da Flamethrowa, Trevor Lee and others to talk to SXSW festival attendees, hear their stories, and pray for their lives. It was about 2:30 in the morning, but the clubs were still in full swing and, on the spur of the moment, our MC freestyle competitors decided to start a cypher.

As a crowd started to build, a few video cameras joined the circle as did a few mainstream rappers who tended to step in and spit writtens. My video clip below is a bit shaky and not the best quality audio, but at least it will give you a feel for what went down.



Like I said, it was an amazing weekend for the Christian hip hop movement. Prayerfully we’ll get to impact Austin and the music industry again there next year.

More pics:

Lecrae preps before taking the stage at the Reach Records showcase

Scott Free gets animated during his workshop

Handout from the missional mindset workshop

(L to R) R-Swift, Too Phliy, Thi'sl, and Chris Chicago

bigAL nervously awaits to hear if his freestyle skills would advance him
to the next round (it did)

Lecrae joined Trip Lee on stage for "I'm Good"

Austin's SaulPaul showed his freestyle skills in the MC competition

Backstage at the Reach Records showcase, several artists joined in a group shot for an upcoming video (L to R: Ruslan, Beleaf Melanin, KB, Andy Mineo, CheeseBeats, Swoope)
Photo by Rosalinda Chapa

La Zona Rosa - site of the official SXSW Reach Records showcase

ATL's Double freestyling on 6th Street

INTERVIEW: Lecrae at SXSW 2012

Whew! Another SXSW is in the books. Soon I'll be doing a full recap of the Christian hip hop events that took place in Austin this past weekend, but one of the highlights was definitely the Reach Records showcase that took place at La Zona Rosa on Saturday night.

The Reach team was kind enough to get me backstage just before Lecrae's set and I got to ask him about his SXSW experience this time around (a lot has changed for him since he last performed at the festival for our official SXSW Christian hip hop stage in 2009), how his BET Awards Cypher session created opportunities that came to fruition at SXSW, and what to look for with his new direction.

Brackets announced for Christian MC/DJ Skills Challenges at SXSW Music Festival

How’s your bracket looking? It’s a phrase you’ll often hear during this “March Madness” season of the NCAA basketball tournament.

But here, we’re talking about the brackets for the MC skills competition during the DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers at SXSW this weekend. This is an official part of the massive music festival and an opportunity for Christians to display their God-given rhyme skills and talents.

The matchups are listed above. Here’s how it'll all go down.

When/where:

• Saturday, March 17 / 3:30 – 4:30pm
• The Carver Cultural Center – 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Cost: Free and open to the public, limited seating so first come, first served

The competitors:

Need an introduction? Click the links on their names to visit their official SXSW profiles where you can get bios, audio samples, and photos.

Group A
• Jerrell Johnson – representing Tampa, FL (@jerrelljohnson)
• Too Phliy – representing Washington, D.C. (@toophliy)

Group B
• Omega Sparx – representing Charlotte, NC (@OmegaSparx)
• J Kwest – representing Chicago, IL (@MrKwest)

Group C
• Gifted da Flamethrowa – representing New Orleans, LA (@DaFlamethrowa)
• Enlitement – representing Atlanta, GA (@IamEnlitement)

Group D
• SaulPaul – representing Austin, TX (@SaulPaul)
• Ruslan from theBREAX – representing San Diego, CA (@theBREAX)

The setup:

This is not a battle! Our MCs will not direct any negative lines toward any other MC. However, it is a head-to-head competition.

The two rappers will spit their freestyle and their matchup opponent will do the same. Our panel of judges (taking into consideration the crowd reaction) will determine who advances to the next round.

We’ll start off with a non-elimination, free verse warm-up round. All 8 competitors get to spit a hot 16 bars (written or off the top of the dome) to get the creative juices flowing.

Then, similar to the RedBull EmSee events, we’ll kick off the first round where all eight rappers will be given five words (only given to them seconds before the clock starts) to incorporate into their rhyme segment.

Round 2 will take the four MCs who advanced from the first round and give them a similar challenge – except that this time the topics will be provided with images instead of text.

And then, the two last MCs standing will match up against one another in a round that uses both text and images - but they’ll only be on the screen for a few seconds. This will mean our MCs will have to rely on both their memory and creativity to try and incorporate all five clues into their verse.

The judges:

• bigAL
• R-Swift
• A surprise guest

The spinster:

• DJ Promote

The prizes:

• SXSW Weekend Skills Competition trophy (see above)
• $300 cash
• $300 advertising credit with DaSouth.com
• $300 advertising credit with HolyCulture.net
• $300 advertising credit with WestCoastFiya.com
• $200 advertising credit with Z180radio.com

Also, don’t forget to join us before this contest (at 2pm) to see Kingdom-minded DJs display their skills. That set will take place between DJ Aslan, DJ Vow, and DJ Stibs and be judged by DJ Wade-O. The winner there also gets a trophy and $300 cash prize.

So, who do you think will take home the title, trophy, and cash? Post your picks below.

SXSW schedule: DaSouth.com/CityTaker/Reach Records and other Christian hip hop events

South by Southwest (SXSW), the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals, has, for the fourth year in a row, invited several Houstonians to organize its Christian hip hop showcase.

Taking place March 16-17, DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers Weekend will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers and offer an expanded schedule of informative and interactive artist development workshops and networking opportunities.

The events include:

Friday, March 16

• What: SXSW Kickoff Concert
• Time: 6:30pm – 11pm
• Cost: $5 donation
• Location: Horizon Worship Center – 1006 E. Yager Ln. Suite 115-A, Austin, TX 78753
• Participants include: bigAL, Viktory, Gifted da Flamethrowa, k-Drama, Von Won, theBREAX, Frontline, Omega Sparx, K-Praize, Tre Nation, Chris Lee Cobbins, Peculiar Image, and more

Saturday, March 17

• What: The official SXSW - DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers Weekend
• Time: 10:30am – 5pm
• Cost: FREE and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis, seating is limited
• Location: The Carver Cultural Center - 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702

Schedule breakdown

Hip Hop Hope Unity Workshop
Time: 10:30am – 11:00am (0.5 hour)
Participants: Bobby “Tre9” Herring (DaSouth.com co-owner)

The Heart of Hip Hop Missions Workshop
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm (1 hour)
Participants: Scott Free (CityTakers)

Panel discussion: “The Realities of Music Ministry”
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm (1 hour)
Participants: Sketch the Journalist (host/moderator), Viktory, k-Drama, Von Won, Thi’sl, Pastor AD3, Ruslan (theBREAX)



Lunch break / Fellowship
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (1 hour)
Details: Food and snacks will be available for purchase at the location

DJ Skills Competition
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm (1.5 hours)
Participants: DJ Promote (host), DJ Wade-O (judge), DJ Aslan (competitor), DJ Vow (competitor), and DJ Stibs (competitor)

MC Skills Competition
Time: 3:30am – 4:30pm (1 hour)
Participants: Scott Free (host), bigAL (judge), Victorious (judge), R-Swift (judge), Ruslan (competitor), Jerrell Johnson (competitor), Gifted da Flamethrowa (competitor), Enlitement (competitor), Omega Sparx (competitor), Too Phliy (competitor), J Kwest (competitor), and SaulPaul (competitor)

Other Christian hip hop related concerts event during SXSW weekend include:

Friday, March 16

• What: GroovSpot.com presents The TruLife Music Tour
• Time: 7pm – 10pm
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Location: Promiseland Church located at 1504 East 51st Street
• Participants: The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX, Price Hill, The Kenny Wayne Band, Kara-Nichole, Chris Lee Cobbins, Zack Gaddis, and Sean C. Johnson
• Details: GroovSpot

Saturday, March 17

• What: Reach Records official SXSW showcase
• Time: 9pm – 1am
• Cost: Free, tickets available at door only, SXSW badge holders get priority
• Location: La Zona Rosa – 612 West 4th Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Participants: Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, PRo, KB
• Details: Reach Records

Merge Summit Showcase seeking submissions for chance at BET's Music Matters

ReRoute Records' SaulPaul is hosting the Merge Summit Showcase in Austin, Texas during SXSW 2012 where the winner of the positive/inspirational talent competition will have a chance to perform for BET's Music Matters - a program by the network that helped get Mali Music interview and performance spots on their awards and "106 & Park" shows.

Artists should send a video performance link to showcase@themergesummit.com to be considered and receive further details. The deadline to submit is this Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Acceptable genres include Neo-Soul, R&B, Contemporary Gospel, Hip-Hop/Rap and/or Spoken Word. All content must be positive and inspirational.

More details from the press release:

ReRoute Record’s Recording Artist SaulPaul will be hosting The Merge Summit Showcase taking place at the historic Victory Grill on Sunday, March 11th, 2012.

Austin’s own “Musician with a Message” has just concluded a 21 city national tour. While on tour, he was always looking for opportunities for his fellow musicians back home in Austin, Texas. Realizing he couldn’t bring his peers along on tour with him, he decided to bring the opportunities back to Texas.

The first one that he has unveiled is Sunday, March 11th, 2012 at 6pm. ReRoute Records, SaulPaul’s record label, has partnered with Relevé Entertainment and Praise Break Live to produce a showcase unlike anything Austin’s urban music scene has experienced.

The winner of this showcase gets to compete in Los Angeles alongside 11 other artists from all across the US for the chance to win a record deal as well as an all expense paid trip to New York City to participate in a BET Music Matters Showcase.

When asked about why SaulPaul does what he does, he replies that he has always been helping other people. Now through his newly formed record label, he has decided to artists live their dreams. In addition to releasing music, ReRoute Records hosts numerous workshops that educate artists on how to cultivate a career in the music industry.

The workshop ReRoute Records will host will be during the RISE Austin 2012 week on Wednesday, March 28th at Noon. This workshop will also take place at the Historic Victory Grill.

Christian hip hop returns to SXSW in 2012 - Reach Records & DaSouth.com have showcases

Reach Records will host its own showcase at SXSW this year

Christian hip hop returns to SXSW in 2012.

Yesterday the world-renowned Austin-based music and arts festival announced that gospel rap’s top label, Reach Records, will have their own showcase featuring the likes of Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii*, PRo, Andy Mineo, and KB.

Their event will take place on Saturday, March 17 from 9:30-12:30am at La Zona Rosa located at 612 W 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701.

Christian rappers have been a part of DaSouth.com's SXSW stage since 2009

This will follow the DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers Weekend held earlier in the day at the Carver Cultural Center (1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702) from 10am to 4pm.

As it has in years past, the DaSouth.com stage will feature workshop sessions and panel discussions related to the functional realities of urban music ministry. And this year, instead of a mega-concert, the event will also contain a skills exhibition between MCs and DJs who will engage one another in friendly freestyle competitions for regional bragging rights.

Artists lined up for that event include Saul Paul, Gifted da Flamethrowa, J Kwest, Jerrell Johnson, Omega Sparx, Enlitenment, Too Phliy, and theBREAX. DJs include DJ Promote, DJ Wade-O, DJ Aslan, DJ Efechto, DJ Dort Vader, and DJ Stibs. Other special guests are also expected.

Finally, I’m told there will be a kickoff concert at a local church (Horizon Worship Center 1006 E. Yager Ln. Suite 115-A Austin, Texas 78753) on Friday, March 16 and that guys like J’son, Canon, High Society, and Thi’sl will be in town for performances before the Reach Records event.

Here's a sample of the panel discussion that took place at last year's event. Will you be there this year?

* UPDATE (02/07/12 - 2pm): This post originally reported that Tedashii would not be a part of the Reach showcase due to a prior commitment. I've since learned that the label is planning for him to be able to make this event.

Bavu Blakes Tackles "Eddie Long" at SXSW

It was the headline that caught my attention: “Eddie Long at South by Southwest.”

In the immortal words of Liz Lemon: “What the what?!?”

Then I saw that it was a performance video by rapper/journalist/minister (and former Austinite) Bavu Blakes and it rocked me.

This is an excellent hip hop song for a couple of reasons:

It’s edgy.
Anyone following Bishop Eddie Long in the news lately will be immediately drawn in by the title and wonder what this MC has to say about a pastor accused of inappropriate sexual relationships with young men under his leadership.

It’s layered.
It may take a few listens, but catch what Blakes is really saying. It may not be what you thought after the first run through.

It offers something of value.
Again, back to the message – here, the poet is encouraging self introspection and leading by example by taking Jesus' words in John 8:7 to heart.

"When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

But what are your thoughts?

Should the legal troubles of a highly-visible public minister like Bishop Long be a topic of modern music?

Do those within the Christian faith have a right to "throw stones" at someone like Bishop Long given the serious nature of these accusations?

Official Christian Rap @SXSW 2011 Workshops & Panel Discussion details

It's here - the Christian rap weekend at SXSW kicks off today and the schedule and lineup details for DaSouth.com's Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference Saturday have been announced. Here's the rundown:

Saturday, March 19
The official SXSW Hip Hop Hope Unity Workshops, Film Preview, & Panel Discussion
Location: The Carver Cultural Center - 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702
Time: 11am-3:30pm
All events are FREE and open to the public - No badges, wristbands, or pre-registration necessary

Artist Panel Discussion

Time: 11:00pm – 12:30pm (1.5 hour)
Participants: Solo, Chile Baby, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Ambassador, Thi’sl, Pro, D-MAUB, Lil Raskull, & Sketch the Journalist (moderator)

The Heart of Hip Hop Missions Workshop
Time: 12:35pm – 1:20pm (45 minutes)
Participants: Scott Free (Freestyle Missions - ATL)

Hip Hop Hope Unity Workshop
Time: 1:25 – 2:10pm (45 minutes)
Participants: Tre9, C-Aphilyated, Apaulsoul

DJ/Producer Panel Discussion
Time: 2:15pm – 3:00pm (45 minutes)
Participants: DJ Wade-O, DJ D-Lite, Chris Chicago, Kadence (Producer), Marv4Beats (Producer), & Sketch the Journalist (moderator)

Film preview – Unashamed Tour / 116 Movement
Time: 3:05pm – 3:30pm (30 minutes)
Participants: Art Hooker

Press Conference Information
Due to time constraints we are not able to have a separate press conference. However, media will have access to interview artists in a private area during the entire workshop sessions from 11am-3:30pm

NOTE: Although not anticipated, this lineup and participant list is subject to change.

And don't forget to join us afterward for DaSouth.com presents The Life In Hip Hop blowout concert from 5pm to 10pm at Promiseland Church located at 1504 East 51st Street, Austin, TX 78723.

Again, this is a FREE, open-to-the-public event. No wristbands, badges, or pre-registration necessary.

For more details and the lineup visit dasouth.com/sxsw.

Christian Hip Hop @ SXSW 2011

South by Southwest (SXSW), the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals, has, for the third year in a row, invited several Houstonians to organize its Christian hip hop showcase.

Taking place March 17-19, DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers and offer an expanded schedule of informative and interactive artist development workshops and networking opportunities.

The events include:

Thursday, March 17

• Artist Fellowship Dinner and Open Mic
• 6:30pm – 10pm
• Victory Outreach Center - 3701 Drossett Dr. Ste #100, Austin, TX 78744

Friday, March 18

• Unity Conference Artist Showcase and Concert
• 7pm – 11pm
• Victory Outreach Center - 3701 Drossett Dr. Ste #100, Austin, TX 78744

Saturday, March 19

• The official SXSW Hip Hop Hope Unity Workshops, Film Preview, Panel Discussion and Pre-Show
• 11am – 3pm
• The Carver Cultural Center - 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702

**********

• DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop Concert
• 5pm to 10pm
• Promiseland Church located at 1504 East 51st Street, Austin, TX 78723

Houston’s Bobby “Tre9” Herring, Jimmie McDowell, and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW, and asked to help organize this unique platform.

“The last two years have been a great success and we’re excited that this year we’ll be able to offer more activities and in areas that can truly accommodate our crowd. The last two years we’ve actually had to turn people away,” Tre9 said. “This year’s theme is all about unity which we hope people can see through our workshops, panel discussions, and variety of music ministers.”

This year’s roster of performers for the DaSouth.com Presents The Life in Hip Hop stage includes:

• Co-host: DJ D-Lite - Austin, TX
• Co-host: Chris Chicago - Nashville, TN

• One’s & Two’s: DJ Promote - San Angelo, TX
• One’s & Two’s: DJ Wade-O - Newark, NJ

• Guest speaker: Scott Free – Atlanta, GA
• Guest speaker: Tre9 – Houston, TX

• Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – Philadelphia, PA
• Ambassador – Philadelphia, PA
• Jai – St. Louis, MO
• JR – St. Louis, MO
• Thi’sl – St. Louis, MO
• theBREAX – San Diego, CA
• Cheno Lyfe – Miami, FL
• Gospel Gangstaz – Los Angeles, CA
• Pro- Memphis, TN
• Fedel –Tulsa, OK
• D-Maub - Cincinnati, OH
• big Al - Monroe, LA
• Dre Murray – Tulsa, OK
• 007 (of the 5th Ward Boyz) - Houston, TX
  
• Lil Raskull – Houston, TX
• CY – Houston, TX
• Martay – Boston, MA
• The WARRIORS ATX - Austin, TX
• S.OM. (Soldiers On A Mission) – Houston, TX
• Von Won – Houston, TX
• Gifted Da Flamethrowa – Houston, TX
• Corey Paul – Houston, TX

Admission to all parts of this weekend will be free of charge and open to the community.

Vid: SXSW 2010 recap by S.O.M.

Lots of SXSW 2010 videos are beginning to surface.

Here's a recap by the boys from S.O.M.

SXSW CHH on Houston Chronicle website

This morning our DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop official stage at SXSW 2010 was featured on the front page of the Houston Chronicle's website. (Right under a big photo of the Black Eyed Peas performance at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.)

Here's a direct link to the story.

If you're so inclined, please leave a comment on the page so they know this sort of coverage draws readers.

Reminder: If you're in Austin and planning to hit the show - come early. Only 130 seats in the venue. And if you can't make it, watch it live at www.dasouth.com

Additional Performers for SXSW 2010’s DaSouth.com Christian Rap Stage

The list of outstanding performers at the DaSouth.com Presents The Life in Hip Hop stage at this year’s 2010 SXSW Music Festival continues to grow.

In addition to the names announced in February, the list of Christian rap ministers now includes:

• Fedel
• Ras aka Lil Raskull
• 007 (formerly of the 5th Ward Boyz)
• Zeeda
• CY
• Peculiar Image
• Xtra Large
• Corey Paul
• Sean C. Johnson
• Eric Merino
• Adalid

Taking place Saturday, March 20 at Austin’s George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers.

Admission to all parts of this distinctive stage will be free of charge and open to the community. Tre9 and DJ D-Lite will co-host with DJ Primo manning the wheels of steel in between sets.

Unfortunately, previously promoted performers FLAME, JR, and D-Maub are now unable to attend. Still, headliners like Tedashii, k-Drama, Dre’ Murray, and many others promise to make this an official SXSW showcase you do not want to miss.

For more information visit: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/ or www.dasouth.com/sxsw2010.

Related: Initial list of performers for SXSW 2010 announced.

Help promote this event by downloading the flyer image here and making it your Twitter and Facebook profile images and/or e-mailing it to your friends and family.

SXSW 2010’s DaSouth.com Presents "The Life in Hip Hop" Stage Performers Announced

Houston, TX – February 8, 2010 – South by Southwest (SXSW), the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals, has invited back several Houstonians to organize the Christian hip hop showcase at this year’s affair.

Taking place Saturday, March 20 at Austin’s George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, DaSouth.com presents The Life in Hip Hop will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers.

Houston’s Bobby “Tre9” Herring, Jimmie McDowell, and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW, and asked to help organize this unique platform.

“Last year’s event was such a smashing success that we packed out the venue and even had to turn away over 100 fans,” Tre9 said.

“This year we’re going to continue to build our roster and are excited to offer live web streaming video for those that cannot attend.”


Photo by Sketch the Journalist

This year’s performers for the DaSouth.com Presents The Life in Hip Hop stage include:

• Tedashii – (Dallas, TX – Reach Records) www.reachrecords.com
• FLAME - (St. Louis, MO - Cross Movement Records) www.flame314.com
• k-Drama - (Cincinnati, Ohio) www.myspace.com/kdrama
• D-Maub - (Cincinnati, Ohio) www.OneRouteEntertainment.com
• big Al - (Monroe, Louisianna) www.bigalmusic.net
• Dre’ Murray - (Oklahoma) www.dremurray.com
• Tre9 - (Houston, TX) www.myspace.com/tre_9
• The WARRIORS ATX (Austin, TX) www.Warrioratx.com
• S.OM. (Soldiers On A Mission) – (Houston, TX) www.myspace.com/soldiersonamission
• Von Won – (Houston, TX) – www.vonwon.com
• Gifted Da Flamethrowa – (Houston, TX) – www.flamethrowa.com
• Bizzle - (Houston, TX) - www.myspace.com/playbizzle
  

Additional performers will be announced at a later date. Admission to all parts of this distinctive stage will be free of charge and open to the community.

A few sponsorship opportunities and performance slots are still available. Inquires should be directed to tre9@dasouth.com.

“This is a huge opportunity for gospel rap as a whole and we plan to represent our genre, and most of all, our Lord, to the fullest,” Sketch the Journalist said.

For more information visit: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/ or www.dasouth.com.

Related: 2009 SXSW Photo Recap

Tre9 on Much Luvv Radio

Tre9 @ Fellowship of The Woodlands by JT Patton

Much Luvv CEO Bobby "Tre9" Herring finally gets to be on his own label's radio show!

If you've ever wondered why he invites mainstream rappers to his All Eyes On Me Awards Show, why he calls himself a "hip hop missionary," or what he might have told Lecrae backstage at SXSW, then you owe it to yourself to hear it all straight from the dude's mouth.

Download your (free) mp3 of the show here.

RELATED: I was interviewed on the show (before Tre) here.

Vidz: Lecrae & Kaboose from SXSW

DaSouth.com found these two YouTube interviews of Lecrae & Kaboose from last month's SXSW "The Life in Hip Hop" stage.

Check 'em out below. To see/read my photo recap of the day, click hurrr.

Photo Recap: SXSW - The Life in Hip Hop

B.L.U.E kicked off the day with a great set

DaSouth.com has my full recap and photo album, but here's your teaser, link, and some of the choicest flix.

Christian hip hop explored new territory on March 21, 2009 with the first ever gospel rap showcase at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals. Each March it draws nearly 12,000 registrants from all over the globe.

This year Much Luvv Records’ Bobby “Tre9” Herring and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity to create the urban gospel stage by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW.

Sonzala offered the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center for the venue and specifically requested that rappers Dooney da Priest (Dallas, TX) and Lecrae (Memphis, TN) be a part of the program. The rest of the show’s details were left up to Tre9 and Sketch.

Read the rest.

You can also find a lot of my instant reactions via Twitter.

Side note:
My wife took most of the best shots with my friend's killer cam.


Texas' Capitol City was the locale.


Tre9 (white shirt) & Jimmie McDowell (black shirt w/ paper) handle the pre-event meeting with all the artists


Dooney & his crew told the audience to "Pull Yo' Pants Up!"


Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S brought their people and the heat


The Carver Theater was small (and steep) but we packed it out


Kaboose got the crowd movin'. My favorite quote of the day came during his performance when I heard a cat in the crowd tell his boy: “Those Texas boys just rap! That’s a true MC right there!”


Braille & S1 came with the full "Cloud Nineteen" set AND gave everyone in the place a FREE copy of the new album.


Syntax Records (and fellow Texan) DJ Promote kept things live in between sets. This dude is so much fun and so full of heart.


This was a cool moment when event host DJ D-Lite took time out to call Special K to the stage and honor him for his pioneering efforts in getting gospel rap played on the radio in Austin.


Former 5th Ward Boy 007 looking fierce as he shared his testimony of Christian life-change through some new lyrics.


Gifted & Von Won having fun with a tag-team set.


Von Won is all about the kids.


My wife and I thought this stage tech looked a lot like Dwight Schrute from "The Office."


CY brought the whole "Circus" theme to his set.


One of CY's crumpin' clowns.


A moment when I wasn't Tweeting or takin' pics - otherwise known as "A Journalist on His Job."


Up close & personal with S.O.M.'s Chizzle. I think I see his fillings.


Tre9 & the Much Luvv Fam asking for a hollaback


Tre busted out several songs with rock group Laden. A live band adds SO MUCH to a show.


Here's a moment when the crowd had to be re-adjusted. The place was packed and people actually had to be turned away at the door. Thankfully, they relented just before the Much Luvv & Lecrae performances and allowed more people into the building and right in front of the stage.


Lecrae definitely brought the heat through song and Word. People were mos def feelin' the "Jesus Muzik."


Lecrae was specifically requested by SXSW for this event and we were so glad he was able to make it.


The crowd got in some worship during Much Luvv & Laden's performance of "Closer" and at other points throughout the day.


Lecrae even stepped over to kick off the After Party since he heard many people couldn't get into the Carver Theater to see all the sets.


One half of S.O.M. chilling at the After Party


DJs Promote & D-Lite setting up at the After Party


CY's restrained After Party Circus show


I got to meet the big homie XL who wants you to pick up his new "This Is Then Now" project.


My first time meeting Kaboose as well. The dude made it down from Minnesota and was super-cool. So glad to have him with us for the first SXSW jump-off too.