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SXSW 2024 Recap: "The Dean's List" Showcase  

“I loved what CHHK did [at SXSW], providing a platform for so many talented Austin locals.” - Ras Kass

“Our showcase really highlighted a ton of local talent & the fans showed up & really enjoyed the show. … [hip-hop] deserves just as much attention as any other genre of music in our city.” - Big Mic, Co-Founder, College of Hip-Hop Knowledge

“The Dean's List” Official SXSW Showcase at Rozco's Comedy Club on March 16, 2024 capped an incredible run for local Austin hip-hop this year.

In their 9th year, local hip-hop label and collective College of Hip-Hop Knowledge (CHHK) organized “The Dean's List…”

With a lineup of stellar local talent, along with legends Ras Kass from Los Angeles and Def-i from New Mexico.

Local talent on the lineup included Muenster, Ben Buck, die slo, Spacegoonz, MDK and Da French Touch, KNDRX, and CHHK artists.

Monikker had a chance to speak with both Big Mic from CHHK and Ras Kass respectively on their career, the SXSW show, and upcoming projects.


MON: What does this showcase mean for CHHK and the Austin hip-hop scene?

Big Mic: This was CHHK’s first year to present an Official SXSW showcase & perform as a group officially for SXSW so it means a lot to us considering all the hard work & efforts we’ve been putting in the scene over the last 8-9 years. 

Hopefully it opens the door for us to continue to place a spotlight on the local scene because it deserves just as much attention as any other genre of music in our city.

MON: Was 2024 a breakthrough SXSW for local Austin hip-hop? 

Big Mic: We think it was, our showcase really highlighted a ton of local talent & the fans showed up & really enjoyed the show. 

We think it shows that Hip Hop is alive & well in the city, we just need to keep pushing the envelope to garner more local support.

MON: What's next for CHHK, what are you guys working on?

Big Mic: We’re currently all working on new music, including a compilation album comprised of all our label artists produced by local producer SleepyKid. 

We have a tour planned in late April to New Mexico & another planned in July to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah & Nevada! 

Our monthly residency Fresh Fridaze, will continue to be held every 2nd Friday of the month. 


MON: Hey Ras, thanks for joining me. What's your experience coming to Austin over the years?

RAS: A better part of 10 years I've been coming to Austin for one reason or another…

There are talented people all around this world just period so I always think everyone deserves a right, and they have their own experiences and interpretations. 

So I enjoy watching whether I'm in Paris, or South Africa, or Canada, or Compton, or Austin, or Dallas… and seeing amazing talented people. 

What I noticed was there was so many cool musicians in Austin and in Dallas… so their interpretation and how they approach rap, the hip-hop aspect with live band is always interesting. 

I had a great time this time… I was there prior to SXSW - 2 weeks before - so I got to see more of a local scene recently… super dope, there's definitely a vibe out there.

MON: I get what you're saying, enjoying the different flavors around the world. I love that there were French rappers at [The Dean's List showcase]. It's cool to hear everybody's interpretations.

RAS: Yeah, and sharing that. Just watching how that melded with these Texas emcees [Mindz of a Different Kind] and it was flawless, so that was dope.

MON: You've got your new project GUTTR and just curious when that's coming out?

RAS: The GUTTR is myself, RJ Payne, and Havoc from Mobb Deep is the producer, he produced the entire thing. The first single is “Roll Call” and that featured Method Man and Fame from MOP and Sway from Shade45… 

I'm really excited about that… the album will follow, probably 2 or 3 weeks after that.

["Roll Call" drops] probably end of this month or early April.

It's definitely a banger… I'm excited about the album as a hip-hop fan and I think everybody gave 110%…

Sorry nobody's going to be nude or prank anybody, it's just good music.


Pre-save the GUTRR album here with your choice of streaming service.

Pre-order the GUTTR physical CD and merch here.

Check out CHHK here.

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Early Spring 2024: Hip-Hop Shows in Austin TX 

Here is a list of upcoming hip-hop in Austin TX for late March 2024 going into April.

March 20th. Beatcase + Bermudez at dadaLab. 7pm-11pm. A diverse lineup of beats and lyrics with trippy visuals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suggested $2 at the door, $5 drinks.


March 20th. Rapocalypse 2 at Parlor Room. 7pm. Free show.

The Rapocalypse is upon us and a hoard of elite emcees are heading to the epicenter for a night of catastrophic bars. 

May be an image of text that says 'UNDERBROUND VOICES RAPOCALYPSE 2 MARCH 20TH @ PARLOR ROOM 88 RAINEY ST 7pm 21&UP UP 21 PERFORMANCES BY GOOD. FAK3 5MILES AL-B BAH KEY PURPLIPP TRESIX RYAN DOVE SPACE GOONZ'

March 23rd. Delilah's Front Porch. 5pm-12am. $5.

Live rap sets, open mic, vendors, art & more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets start at $5. Check out performer Shaad The Beast's post for more ticket info.


March 29th. Laffs N Lyrics at Delilah's Front Porch. 8-11pm. $10.

Come see the best of Austin's rappers and comics at this monthly showcase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tickets are $10 and you can get them here.


April 12th. Fresh Fridaze at Independence Brewing Co. 8pm. Free show.

College of Hip-Hop Knowledge keeps the hip-hop party going all night long with the best local talent. 

It's on the 2nd Friday of the month and always a free show. 

Check back here for the official flyer.

Follow CHHK and Fresh Fridaze accounts on Instagram for more updates.


April 13th. Speaker Bump Hip-Hop Fest at Far Out Lounge. 6pm. $20.

Celebrate “Ben Buck Day” in Austin with Ben's first annual hip-hop fest. 

Top performers from across the country are on the lineup, including Homeboy Sandman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GA tickets start at $20 and you can get them here.


April 21st. The Rolling Stoners Tour at Coral Snake. 8pm. $10.

Pat Ron, Concept and other Texas hip-hoppers stop by Austin on their regional tour. 

The Rolling Stoners Tour in Austin at The Coral Snake

Tickets are $10 and you can get them here. 


This page will be continuously updated. Check back for more shows and info.

A list of music-friendly and hip-hop friendly open mics in Austin is coming soon.

Submit your shows and info to be added on this page:

Send all the details to support@monikkermusic.com including the flyer, link to buy the tickets, and basic description of the show. 

You can also DM on Instagram @monikkermusic.

Want new show announcements and updates sent directly to your email inbox? 

==> Click here and enter your best email in the box at the top of the page.

5th Annual Birthday Roast of Symply Courtney  

Folks from all over the state came to watch Symply Courtney get roasted for his 39th birthday…

Hosted at The Tiniest Bar in Texas on February 8.

Symply Courtney is a mainstay in the Austin comedy community…

He started his career doing improv at the Coldtowne Theater…

Back at its original Airport Blvd location over 10 years ago.

He now runs Symply Haha, which produces comedy shows in both Austin and San Antonio.

Host Jose Da'Hype (pictured left of Symply Courtney below) opened the show to introduce all the comics onto the stage…

Anastacia then sung her renditions of classic songs by Dolly Parton and Tina Turner… 

6 of Austin's best comics then took the stage to roast Courtney and the other comics.

Finally, DJ Monikkrome spun a 2000s throwback mix for an hour after the roast.

You can stream Monikkrome's mix here.

Here's the full crew with all the comics and musicians:

From left to right: Anastacia, Destiny Lalane, Dizzy, Tiffany Epiphany, Symply Courtney, Jose Da'Hype, Bryant Smith, Grace Morton, DJ Monikkrome.

Until next year…. happy birthday, Courtney! 

Thanks for being a pillar of the Austin entertainment scene.

(All photos taken by Kenny Clicks.)

DJ Monikkrome Opens 4/20 Variety Set With Stoner Anthems & Classic Hits  

DJ Monikkrome…

An open format DJ in Austin TX…

Kicked off the evening for The Lake Show's 4/20 spectacular on South 1st St.

Thrown by local event promoter, Lake Mic ATX.

They have a local open mic night for comedians and musicians on Tuesday nights.

The thunderstorms caused some minor hiccups…

But it wasn't enough to drown out the rock band, Paper Machete.

The group can rock your face off…

They can also play quieter intimate songs just as well.

Other musical acts included Freeze Frame & Kirk…

A duo that plays an eclectic mix of guitar and intense rap.

They have a weekly radio show on KOOP 91.7 called The Stopped Clock. 

They tell sci-fi stories with their signature musical style.

“Cosmic music, broadening tales, and humorous skits bring to life the jagged edges of the imagined universe.”

It reminds me of mysterious “alien-like” places, like Marfa out in West Texas.

The show is every Wednesday from 6-7 pm.

Enjoy replays of their show here.

The Lake Show on 4/20 lineup also included musician Neil Dorsey…

And local comedians, Derek Dimpfl, Hunter Carney, and Pat Duggan.

Issue 5 of the Austin print magazine, Sidecar Junkaroo, was on display…

And I enjoyed flipping through the interviews, art, and comedy pieces. 

Last but not least, enjoy the full DJ Monikkrome set below…

Full of hits throughout the decades and stoner anthems.

Simply hit the play button.

P.S. Get free music, mixes, show announcements, new blog posts, and more when you join Monikkrome's email list here.