Chance the Rapper und Big Boi

At the ripe age of 21 Chance the Rapper is one of newest and youngest faces in hip-hop. Despite being so young Chancellor Bennett already has two mix tapes and a few tours under his belt. His second mixtape ‘Acid Rap’ awarded him universal claim, it’s gone double platinum on DatPiff, BET named it one of the bst mix tapes of 2013, and Pitchfork gave it an 8.4 and the “Best New Music” title. While we wait for Chance to release a full length album he’s been putting out a few features with the likes of Childish Gambino, Chuck Inglish, and others. He’s also been touring the country and getting ready for the summer festival season.

Chance differs from most hip-hop MCs in that hehas the privilege of touring with a live drummer and a keyboardist who help add to the atmosphere and create a concert like experience rather than a DJ on a Macbook making beats. Chance also has a few friends help him out on stage with some ambient lighting to create some special effects that help you get in the mood for some of the more popular cuts from ‘Acid Rap’ like “Pusha Man,” “Cococa Butter Kisses,” and “Favorite Song.”If you’re planning on catching Chance the Rapper soon, brush up on those free mixtapes, he has a diehard fan base that will be up front and center for the show, you don’t want to be left alone in the dark not knowing any of the lyrics, hooks, or beats.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik!!! If you don't know what that means, you ain't breathing and you ain't from Atlanta! I crossed off the number one musical item on my bucket list by seeing Outkast (Big Boi and Andre 3000) perform at the Counterpoint Festival. I could hardly contain my excitement as I anxiously awaited the group's arrival on stage. To set the scene...it rained earlier that day, so the Outkast set was postponed an hour. None of that mattered as the lights finally dimmed and the dynamic duo hit the stage to shut.it.down. Dre 3000 was dressed in an all black jumper with a white X down the middle and Big Boi was his dipped in his usual freshness. They performed everything from 1994's "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" to 2003's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below." I really think they could've just stood on stage and not said a word and the crowd would've been just as pleased. Every woman, man and child was filled with the vibes from the music we grew up listening to for the past 20 years! I couldn't even make up the magic that took place that night. If you missed it, well...you missed a lot!