That spiderweb is quintessentially Austin: irreverent, endlessly entertaining, and weird as hell. And among longtime veterans in the city’s rap community and upstarts alike, there’s a growing belief that the latest generation of local rap acts, led primarily by artists including Mama Duke, J Soulja, Mike Melinoe, Riders Against the Storm, Vintage Jay, Magna Carda, Abhi the Nomad, Deezie Brown, The Teeta, Chucky Blk, among others, combined with a push to create infrastructure that can support creativity, might finally elevate the Austin rap scene beyond its city’s limits even during a pandemic.
Abhi the Nomad performing at SXSW Dive Bar Sessions on March 15, 2019.Rick Kern/Getty
What Does “Build Back Better” Look Like for Live Music?
Black musicians were already struggling for resources and recognition before the pandemic. Now, they’re organizing and championing lasting reform in the live music industry.
During the pandemic, Austin s annual Blues on the Green, for the first time, allowed a Black musician Jackie Venson to curate a performance lineup. Ismael Quintanilla
Black musicians were already struggling for resources and recognition before the pandemic. Now, they’re organizing and championing lasting reform in the live music industry.
During the pandemic, Austin s annual Blues on the Green, for the first time, allowed a Black musician Jackie Venson to curate a performance lineup. Ismael Quintanilla
In a teaser trailer for
Mobley s upcoming virtual tour, the local one-man band exists everywhere at once: Mobley peers up from tropical foliage, Mobley hits drums atop a Downtown hotel, Mobley strolls through an empty field, acoustic guitar strapped to his chest.
An alternative, intellectual reinterpretation of the action movie star, the indie-pop artist s take on
John Wayne involves skinny jeans and a wide-brimmed hat. The ticketed online tour celebrate new conceptual EP
Young & Dying in the Occident Supreme, out Feb. 19. Beyond his own cinematic making, Mobley s participation in Austin music over the past year felt equally omnipresent.
Back in July, his roundup of over 30 musical and visual artists for album/movie