A3C Hip-Hop Festival Kicks Off 10th Anniversary in Atlanta

The A3C Hip-Hop Festival is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in the city of Atlanta Oct 8-14.* Founded by Brian Knott and Kevin Elfick, the A3C Hip-Hop Festival began as a way to showcase Hip-Hop talent in the Atlanta area after their ArcTheFinger label folded in 2004. Iconic rap super producer 9th Wonder inadvertently named the festival when he referred to it as a festival that represents “All three coasts.”

What started out as a Hip-Hop showcase in 2004, has evolved into a five day festival that includes concerts, film screenings, art displays, academic panel discussions and a host of programming at 15 different venues throughout the city. More than 500 people are on the bill to participate in the 10th anniversary celebration of Hip-Hop culture throughout the world. The festival is a mix of old school, new school, independent and mainstream Hip-Hop artists including Jermaine DuPri, B.O.B., 2 Chains, Talib Kweli and the Roots.

Not necessarily safe for work. NNSFW.

While artists with large record labels backing them are a part of the mix, the main purpose of the event is to offer underground Hip-Hop artists a broader platform. Coupled with panels and workshops covering topics from the business of hip-hop to the use of hip-hop for social change to the actual nuts and bolts of hip-hop production, the A3C festival is an integral part of the cultural arts scene in Atlanta. More than 35,000 people are expected to attend A3C events and programming this year. Sponsors include Creative Loafing, Reebok Classic, iHipHop, Puma and 107.9 FM.

For more information about A3C, visit www.A3cfestival.com. Event tickets and passes can be purchased at this url as well. Click here to download the festival mobile app.

*The Burton Wire’s Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. and Christopher A. Daniel will participate on a A3C Hip-Hop Festival entitled, “Anatomy of A Musical Movement:Hip Hop United for Cause (Panel).” Dr. Burton is a media scholar who is the author of the dissertation, “Traveling Without Moving: Black Female Rappers and the Hollywood Film Industry.” Mr. Daniel is an ethnomusicologist specializing in music of the African Diaspora. 

This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of the award-winning news site The Burton Wire. 

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