Last year's parking-lot-bulging Rhymesayers showcase at the Southwest by Southwest Music Conference hinted at the busy year to come at the Minneapolis hip-hop label, as local stars P.O.S., Brother Ali, Eyedea & Abilities, Toki Wright and BK-One all performed to tout their respective 2009 releases. This year's Rhymesayers SXSW showcase hints at another bustling year, but it's a lot less Minnesotan: The lineup at Emo's on Saturday, March 20, will include Freeway with Jake One, Evidence (of Dilated Peoples fame) and Grieves, all acts who've come to the label from out of state. In fact, the only local performer on the bill is DJ/producer Budo, who's backing Grieves. Rhymesayers is co-hosting its showcase with the Agency Group (booking agency behind a lot of its tours), so some non-RSE acts are in the show too, including the hotly buzzing Wiz Khalifa.
Look for more SXSW reports as the fest nears at www.startribune.com/sxsw.
