SXSW 2017 - OEB Spreadsheet #95

The OEB crew is in overdrive trying to help you guys put together your SXSW must see wish lists, here’s a great mix of soul, hip hop, and electronic artists to consider and here’s my SXSW wish list. -Nate   Highlights:

Duckwrth (8) – The albums nine tracks are an amalgam of funk, hip hop, soul, indie rock and engaging, creative production. Duckwrth is also a visual artist with a focus on fashion and dynamic music videos and live performances. His refreshing style and seemingly boundless creativity on I’M UUGLY shows an artist poised for a massive breakout in the next couple years, keep an eye out for Duckwrth.

Bilal (8) – He has sent lent his soulful vocals to songs by a cross section of great artists including Robert Glasper, Beyoncé, Musiq, Clipse, Sa-Ra, Jay-Z, Shafiq Husayn, the Roots, Otis Brown III, Kimbra, Kat Dahlia, Kendrick Lamar, and Slum Village among many others. While Bilal’s sound is always current and unique he collaborates with artists in a way the great Jazz musicians did.

Great Dane (8) –  Producer Great Dane is a founding member of LA’s Team Supreme music collective of upcoming and veteran producers who have established themselves as some of the most polished, creative and experimental artists in the global beat scene. Great Dane incorporates a huge variety of sonic elements into his layered beats on his last album, 2015’s eponymous Great Dane.

Deniro Farrar (8) –  Deniro Farrar has been busy releasing three EPs, Cliff of Death II (with Young God), Mind of a Gemini, and Red Book, Vol. 1, and two LPs, The Patriarch & The Patriarch II, since the last time we previewed his appearance at SXSW. He raps with a raspy flow over inventive production on his numerous releases, he tells dark, personal stories of life’s struggles, political inequality, and the daily hustle.

Durand Jones & The Indications (7) – The trio began writing original soul music and the result is the fantastic 2016 album Durand Jones & The Indications. It’s straight forward soul and Jones’ love for classic soul is obvious on the album’s eight tracks. It’s an album in the truest sense but “Make A Change” stands as a great introduction to Jones & The Indications soulful, polished sound.

Eric Biddines (7) – In late January Biddines released a solo LP, The Local Café, like Southern luminaries Outkast, who inspired the opening track, Biddines captures daily life in the South with his personal, lyrical style. What sets Biddines apart is his ability to incorporate classic Southern music elements into his style that results in a uniquely personal and authentic sound.

G Perico (7) – G Perico’s 2016 album Shit Don't Stop pays homage to G Perico’s hometown of Los Angeles. His style is heavily influenced by classic West Coast rap albums and like those greats G Perico raps with a quick flow packing bars with raw storytelling verses.