South by Southwest (SXSW), the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals, has, for the fourth year in a row, invited several Houstonians to organize its Christian hip hop showcase.

Taking place March 16-17, DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers Weekend will showcase performances from some of gospel hip hop’s most polished performers and offer an expanded schedule of informative and interactive artist development workshops and networking opportunities.

The events include:

• What: SXSW Kickoff Concert
• Time: 6:30pm – 11pm
• Cost: $5 donation
• Location: Horizon Worship Center – 1006 E. Yager Ln. Suite 115-A, Austin, TX 78753
• Participants include: bigAL, Viktory, Gifted da Flamethrowa, k-Drama, Von Won, theBREAX, Frontline, Omega Sparx, K-Praize, Tre Nation, Chris Lee Cobbins, Peculiar Image, and more

Saturday, March 17

• What: The official SXSW – DaSouth.com Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference and CityTakers Weekend
• Time: 10:30am – 5pm
• Cost: FREE and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis, seating is limited
• Location: The Carver Cultural Center – 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, TX 78702

Hip Hop Hope Unity Workshop
Time: 10:30am – 11:00am (0.5 hour)
Participants: Bobby “Tre9” Herring (DaSouth.com co-owner)

The Heart of Hip Hop Missions Workshop
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm (1 hour)
Participants: Scott Free (CityTakers)

Panel discussion: “The Realities of Music Ministry”
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm (1 hour)
Participants: Sketch the Journalist (host/moderator), Viktory, k-Drama, Von Won, Thi’sl, Pastor AD3, Ruslan (theBREAX)

Lunch break / Fellowship
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm (1 hour)
Details: Food and snacks will be available for purchase at the location

DJ Skills Competition
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm (1.5 hours)
Participants: DJ Promote (host), DJ Wade-O (judge), DJ Aslan (competitor), DJ Vow (competitor), and DJ Stibs (competitor)

MC Skills Competition
Time: 3:30am – 4:30pm (1 hour)
Participants: Scott Free (host), bigAL (judge), Victorious (judge), R-Swift (judge), Ruslan (competitor), Jerrell Johnson (competitor), Gifted da Flamethrowa (competitor), Enlitement (competitor), Omega Sparx (competitor), Too Phliy (competitor), J Kwest (competitor), and SaulPaul (competitor)

 

• What: GroovSpot.com presents The TruLife Music Tour
• Time: 7pm – 10pm
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Location: Promiseland Church located at 1504 East 51st Street
• Participants: The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX, Price Hill, The Kenny Wayne Band, Kara-Nichole, Chris Lee Cobbins, Zack Gaddis, and Sean C. Johnson
• Details: GroovSpot

• What: Reach Records official SXSW showcase
• Time: 9pm – 1am
• Cost: Free, tickets available at door only, SXSW badge holders get priority
• Location: La Zona Rosa – 612 West 4th Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Participants: Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Trip Lee, PRo, KB
• Details: Reach Records