A3C Festival Recap
Hip hop is going through a very interesting period. With trap arguably becoming a permanent element of rap music, we’re seeing a unique transition from the ways of old, to a new generation of lyricists and producers who pull from many sources to create their art. Some would call this an adulteration of “true hip-hop,” but the more optimistic celebrate these changes. For those of us who welcome this era, A3C Festival in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, really reflected the future of hip hop, while still celebrating the glory days of yesteryear.
A3C’s lineup boasted radio heavy hitters, music-snob-approved artists, and hip hop legends known the world over for changing the game. The five-day event featured stars of today such as Rick Ross, Sonny Digital, OG Maco, and Casey Veggies. But with all the young talent there was no shortage of legends, as A3C brought Bun B, Redman, and even Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Needless to say, there were plenty of lit performances, whether it was Haddy Racks’s intimate set or Rick Ross' performances, that featured free Checkers for some of the attendees.
But what sets A3C apart from other music festivals is that it’s also an annual music conference, where top hip hop industry figureheads get together to discuss the current dynamics of the genre and where it fits in the world. With all the world events happening today, it was surely a valuable experience to sit in on panels that hosted industry legends like Master P, Yomi Desalu representing BET, and Anthony Saleh of Freebandz. Many words of wisdom and insight were expressed, and the end of the weekend saw the conference’s “Social Impact Award” given to Killer Mike for his excellent music related to current social issues.
Image Courtesy of Hype Magazine and Hip Hop Wired
If you were lucky enough to make it last weekend, what was your favorite part? If you missed the huge event this year make sure to catch it when it comes back next October!