2016 A3C Festival and Conference
A3C 2016: A night-by-night top 5. Local artists shine when the annual hip-hop festival and conference returns Oct. 5-9
Once again, the annual A3C Hip-Hop Festival & Conference is taking over Atlanta Oct. 5-9. If you want go where the locals go, and get a face full of the city’s underground talent, here’s a quick look at one event taking place each night.
— Who says the art of the lyricist is dead? The Lyricist Lounge Sketch Show corrals a strong Atlanta-centric lineup featuring Boog Brown, 4-IZE, Headkrack, Dillon, Bodega Brovas, Dres tha Beatnik, Rasta Root, and more for a showcase of rhyme sketches. $10 (free w/ A3C pass). Wed., Oct. 5. The Earl.
— The Vinyl Junkies Clique (VJC) Reunion Los Angeles’ mid-’90s DJ crew has formed chapters in Atlanta, New York, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C. Rare is the occasion when they’re all in the same city together. P.U.D.G.E., Mista Rare Groove, SUM, Yamin Semali, D.T., Phoenix, and more show off their respective new shits and play songs from VJC’s 2005 CD, Strange Arrangement. $10 (free w/ A3C pass). Thurs. Oct. 6. 9 p.m. 529.
— It’s a damn shame that D4L co-founder Shawty Lo fell casualty to 2016’s war on artists. For this Shawty Lo tribute, Fabo, Mook B, Frontstreet, and more get “Geeked Up,” out of respect for their fallen homie. Young Dolph, Royce 5’9”, and Rick Ross close the show. Fri., Oct. 7. 7 p.m. Festival Grounds.
— ATLiens 20th Anniversary Tribute Saturday’s 1996 show features performances by legacy acts Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Bun B, Too $hort, and Redman. In the midst of it all, Mr. DJ and a live band host a parade of young artists paying homage to OutKast’s ATLiens. Nappy Roots, J-Live, Goldyard, Yani Mo, Jack Preston, and more grace the stage. Sat., Oct. 8. 2 p.m. Festival Grounds.
— Guinness Record Cypher Soul Food Cypher and MICXSIC’s Savage Fam PRO team up to smash the Guinness Book of World Records entry for Longest Freestyle Team Cypher. The record currently stands at 12 hours and 2 minutes. Atlanta’s foot soldiers are gunning for a full 24 hours. Reigning champ, Tampa-based Christian rapper KJ-52, joins at 7 a.m. After the record is broken the floor opens to the public, if they can keep the rhymes flowing. Sat. Oct. 8-Sun., Oct. 9. 3 p.m. Space 2.
A3C Hip-Hop Festival & Conference $67-$499. Oct. 5-9. Multiple venues. www.a3cfestival.com.