Friday, March 6, 2026

rap

Case CockrellReview

Live music review: Lil Yachty was an ardent completionist at his debut ACL TV taping

“I did what I wanted to do, which was create a body of work that reflected me,” Yachty explained in a Billboard cover feature. “My idea was for this album to be a journey: Press play and fall into the void.” This was his position before recording his debut Austin City Limits (ACL TV) taping last week. 

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Case CockrellReview

Live music review: Against odds Lil Ugly Mane performs in Austin at Oblivion Access Festival 

Lil Ugly Mane, aka Travis Miller, has always been an elusive figure. The underground hip-hop world that Ugly Mane spawned out of might call the Virginia native an enigma, so much so that Lil Ugly Mane’s many pseudonyms meant to take the prolific music creator outside of the SoundCloud rap box that he was painted into with his breakout 2012 debut album Mista Thug Isolation.

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Christina DeStefanoInterviews

Interview: Austin artist Raw Lew keeps it positive while exploring beats

For those stuck inside going stir crazy with the latest spike in the Omnicron variant that is running rampant across the country, check out Raw Law for some positive,  focus music to start off 2022. Austin-based Raw Lew, aka Lewis Loatman has been  music since 2015. The Cosmic Clash’s Christina DeSteffano sat down with Loatman to discuss his work, Austin and the process of creating music in an intimate interview.

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Amanda QuriaishiGreg AckermanPremiere

Video premiere: [Exclusive] Ben Buck drops The Marquee with Boom Baptist

You know what makes us feel good? Hip-hop music made with love, commitment to the craft and a sense of humor. Remember in the 90s when groups like The Beastie Boys and Digital Underground with Shock G reigned MTV’s airwaves with clever, funny videos like Ben Buck clip “The Marquee,” is out today  as a premiere exclusive, only at The Cosmic Clash.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album review: Little Simz delivers perfect recording with ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’

Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, known in the music world as Little Simz, released her latest LP, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, on September 3rd. The Islington, London MC has risen to prominence over the past five years via four studio albums and a flurry of tour dates.

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Greg AckermanPreview

Live music preview: Juneteenth Vancerts show Saturday with Tribe Mafia at Native

Austin hip-hop duo Tribe Mafia are set to headline an impressive Juneteenth bill for Sunset Saturdays by Vancerts and Fistful of Bourbon at Native Hostel this Saturday. The event begins at 6 p.m. (instead of 5 p.m.) inside Native so fans won’t wilt in the midst of hot, summer weather already upon us in Central Texas.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Public Enemy’s What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down

Public Enemy’s new album, What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down, takes listeners through a virtual museum of hip hop sounds with shiny, new, fresh content.  Chuck D has always been an icon of social consciousness and intelligent lyrics. He continues to thrive in this fashion.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Hip Hop duo Run The Jewels deliver timely messages with RTJ4

Hip Hop duo Run the Jewels is essentially the story of two lyricists who followed differing paths in a journey which lead to the formation of one of the most significant musical groups of our time, Run The Jewels (RTJ). In 2013, they released their self-titled first record to wide critical acclaim.  On June 3rd, their fourth album, RTJ4 was released. The record is timely in that it speaks directly to the systemic violence and oppression that is currently dominating the national conversation amid police violence protests.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Live Music Review: An Historic Evening With Scarface at Antone’s

On Friday, February 22, hip-hop icon Brad Jordan, famously known as Scarface, performed memorable, classic songs from his extensive catalog at Antone’s Nightclub.  The fabled South Houston native has been a highly-respected force of depth and integrity in the rap game since the late 80’s.  At Antone’s, fans witnessed Jordan not only rhyming in front of a live band, but participating with the instrumentation via lead guitar for several numbers.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album review: Austin hip hop artist Pat G’s album Whatever It Takes deserves attention

The Austin hip-hop scene is loaded with untapped talent.  For some reason, the industry machine overlooks the many adept artists who need only to be heard. However, if Austin artist, Pat G’s new (it dropped in April) sophomore album Whatever It Takes is an indicator of what’s to come for the Capitol City, the hip-hop world may soon take serious notice.

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