A3C Festival in Atlanta

SOUTHEAST’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT HIP HOP FESTIVAL GAINS NATIONAL SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION

“It’s like a desert out here and we are the oasis in the middle” says Brian Knott, one of the coordinators behind the Third Annual A3C Festival, as he speaks on the state of independent hip hop in the Southeastern United States. The irony falls in the fact that Atlanta is far from being known as the epicenter of independent hip hop, but rather, the city stands as the birthplace of the synthesized “crunk” and “snap” music from the likes of Lil’ Jon or the Ying Yang Twins.

Although, from April 12-14th, the festival will stand tall in the face of the crunk music machine, barking loud as the underdog in the South’s capitol. As more than twenty five indy hip hop groups and breakdancers from all around the country converge at the A3C to add heat to ‘Hotlanta,’ the well water from the Southeast’s oasis will overflow for three straight days of non-commercial hip hop culture.

As for this year’s A3C guests performers, gracing the stage will be Souls of Mischief of San Francisco’s Hieroglyphics, Sol.Illaquists of Sound, Giant Panda, Black Milk, Simple Complexity, The Strange Fruit Project, Ken Starr, Oddisee and many others. In line with day time events of the years past, 2007’s A3C will have a breakdancing battle sponsored by Red Bull Energy Drink featuring a legendary surprise host. Other events surrounding the music performances will include a panel on women in hip hop, exclusive movie screenings, and a panel discussion on hip hop’s origins.

The festival will take place at The Loft, 1347 W. Peachtree St and ticket prices are $15 per night or $32 for a weekend pass. For more information, visit http://www.A3C2007.com