This weekend, Dallas hip-hop fans are going to be busy. Just as we were starting to recover from festival season, two inaugural local fests pop up to remind us that there's still plenty going on in right here in our own backyard. Between April Foolin in Deep Ellum and Function Festival out towards Irving, it might be hard to split your time. Luckily, each event is truly a collaborative community effort, showcasing a little something for everyone. We talked to the masterminds behind it all, so you can decide where to be and when.
With April Foolin, Dallas emcee -topic strives to break down the wall dividing thriving genres in this city. In a refreshing act of DIY ingenuity, he organized and spearheaded the event with his management staff, in an attempt to push the local hip-hop scene outside its comfort zone a little. With headliners like Cutter, Tunk, The Kozmic Sisters, and Taylor Effin Cleveland (just to name a few)- the crowd will be a pretty diverse mix of fans. Local rap, pop, & EDM will all be represented well at Club Dada this Saturday.
"I listen to way more than hip-hop and I've got two stages, so I figured, why not crossover?" says -topic.
The full lineup has still yet to be announced, but there are promises of many special guests. With Picnictyme on hosting duty, one has to wonder if notorious genre blenders The Cannabinoids will make an appearance. There will be food vendors, a cash bar, and good times to be had by all.
Function Festival may take you a little further North of the Big D, but looks like it will be well worth the trek. Focusing mainly on hip hop and R&B, Function Festival will highlight some of the lesser-known & budding talents in the metroplex. With more logos on the flyer than a NASCAR jumpsuit, it's clear that promoters Chris Trillion and Marcus Gilmore have the city behind them. Having thrown two successful benefit shows under the Function moniker, this is their first full fledged festival.
"The Function is an event where independant artists, producers, designers, and entreprenuers around the city can come together under the same roof to showcase their work." says Trillion, "Everything works together- music, media, and fashion. We always want to center [The Function] around music, but bring together all that it encompasses."
Not to be missed over the two day event, is 17 year old wunderkind Josh Rand. His recent debut into the local scene has been widely well received due to his sharp lyricism, flow, and technique beyond his years. He'll take the stage Sunday at 8pm, no doubt including his new single with A.Dd+'s Slim Gravy with his set. Check out the Jeff Adair-directed visuals below, and mark your calendars. It's going to be a long weekend, yall.
