Austin Sound Check

I first told you about Dutch hip-hopper Arts the Beatdoctor and his Austin-based label Beats Broke last year. Now, SXSW has recognized the talent in both Arts the Beatdoctor and labelmate In Stereo, confirming both for a showcase at the 2009 festival.
Arts the Beatdoctor and In Stereo are great additions to a SXSW lineup already rife with hip-hop talent like Bavu Blakes, Blaqstarr, Sage Francis and Killer Mike.
Read my review of Arts the Beatdoctor’s EP Progressions here. You can also visit Arts the Beatdoctor and In Stereo on MySpace.
Image Courtesy SXSW

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I had the pleasure of see Bavu Blakes & The Extra Plairs at ACL this year, and I was completely blown away. Soulful hip-hop with a tasty bounce, Mr. Blakes puts on one of the better hip-hop stage shows I’ve seen to date.
Check out the live video below, courtesy of my friends over at Austin Surreal. This footage was shot at Mohawk on November 14th.
For more info: Bavu Blakes & The Extra Plairs

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Last week I brought you a review of Arts The Beatdoctor’s album Progressions, released on Austin label Beats Broke. Fellow Beats Brokers Pax & Pry are featured on Progressions and have a fresh video out for their song True and You Know It. The video is below for your viewing pleasure. Be sure and let me know what you think of the song and video.

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Last month I brought you a profile on Austin-based hip-hop label Beats Broke. The latest release from Beats Broke is Progressions by Netherlands-based Arts The Beatdoctor.
Progressions is a mere five songs, but they are well-produced and executed. The most striking thing about Progressions is how much the overall sound differs from mainstream American hip-hop. Where American hip-hop is centered on bass and samples, Progressions feels more like a trance record with some breakbeats and a splash of traditional hip-hop hallmarks.
Arts the Beatdoctor is a gifted producer with exciting potential both on original songs and remixes. The standout track on Progressions …read more

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Mainstream hip hop has long been focused on the latest beef between rappers; often using violent and misogynistic lyrics. Indie hip hop has taken a progressive turn, often focusing on socially conscious issues or using comedic style to convey a message.
MC trio DAM and rapper Devin the Dude showcase each side of the progressive rap movement, taking very different paths in order to bring a fresh sound to modern hip hop.
DAM is a group of Palestinian Israeli MCs who rap primarily in Arabic with a little English and Hebrew thrown in for good measure. DAM raps about the on-going Palestinian …read more

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