We've been breaking artists since '05, and are always looking for the best up-and-coming MCs to showcase at A3C Festival & Conference. We listen to hundreds of hip-hop artists each week looking for talented indie artists from around the world.
Every Monday we select 6 of our favorite MCs and ask the hip-hop community to vote for their favorite. The top 2 vote-getting artists are invited to perform at 2018 A3C Festival & Conference.
Voting starts today and ends on Friday at 11pm EST. You can vote once a day.
If you are an artist and would like an opportunity to perform at the 2019 A3C Festival & Conference, you can submit today. Over 5,000 artists have performed on our stages including: A$AP Rocky, Action Bronson, J.I.D, Lil Pump, Danny Brown, G-Eazy, J.Cole, Lil Uzi Vert, Schoolboy Q, Ty Dolla $ign, Dave East, Vince Staples, 21 Savage, Rich The Kid, Wiz Khalifa, Rapsody, Young Thug and thousands more.
We review hundreds of artists each week (submission info) and pick 6 of our favorite artists... but we want the final decision to up to the fans. Come back each Monday and discover 6 dope underground hip-hop artists from across the world.
You can vote for your favorite artist every day. The two artists with the most votes will be invited to perform at #A3C19 in Atlanta! Voting ends on Friday at 11pm EST.
Get to know this week’s 6 New artists and vote for your favorite:
- 2' Live Bre - Nashville, TN
- Denver Halee - Toronto, ON
- Kilo Kavadi - Colombus, OH
- KNG - Brunswick, GA
- KVtheWriter - St. Louis, MO
- Minus Gravity - San Antonio, TX
2' Live Bre - (@2livebre)
2’Live Bre is a hip-hop artist out of Nashville, TN. Bre is influenced by artists such as Kayne, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars, Drake, Migos, Tyga, Travis Scott and Outkast. His music is a collaboration of rap, hip-hop and pop. Bre’s stage name is based on his motto that he is not afraid “to live.” He knows that in this climate it is easy to just follow, and his goal is to inspire others to understand that being different and being who you truly are, are the key to success. Live life like it's a party and be 2 Live!
Bre has shared the stage with Migos and Yo Gotti and has opened for Young Thug, Young Dolph, Lil Baby and Bloc Boy JB. Bre received a NIMA award for Best Hip Hop Artist of 2018 and was featured in Hype Magazine online.
Click HERE to vote!
Denver Haylee - (@denverhaylee)
Toronto-based R&B/Soul artist Denver Haylee cemented her position as the next R&B talent out of Toronto as the grand prize winner of the Honey Jam Canada 2018 and has continued to make her mark after headlining her first festival appearance at Canadian Music Week earlier this month. Denver released her debut single “Body Sangin” in Summer 2018 which was warmly received by Toronto’s r&b/soul & indie communities. Denver’s upcoming EP, “The Elements of Love”, highlights instances of affection, peace, compassion, and mercy throughout intimate relationships while celebrating the ability that men have to love passionately. The EP has been described as "male-empowerment music" and a reminder to men that deep and true love is for them as well and needed especially in POC households. Denver Haylee jumped into the music scene after singing backgroundvocals for r&b singer and friend TiKA in 2017. Denver began producing her music on a flight back from an inspiring trip to Hawaii. Please visit listentodenver.com for music and show dates.
KNG - (@kng)
Akeem Rafeal Baker was born on January 26, 1994, in Brunswick Georgia. Akeem was born in a single parent household to Chassity, a protective service worker for the Ports Authority in Georgia. His father Rafeal is a graduate of Morehouse College. Akeem a scholar and athletic who graduated with a 4.0 from Brunswick High School in 2012 always had a passion for hip-hop music. Akeem always dreamed of becoming a medical doctor so he pursued his dream at his father’s alma mater Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia. Akeem completed his degree in Biology at Morehouse in 3 years. Akeem graduated cum laude and was already in the process of completing an early medical school admission program at Boston University School of Medicine. While in the process of completing the program Akeem continued to write music. After battling with the thought of entering medical school or pursuing his love for music he decided to live his dream of becoming a hip-hop artist. Akeem has taken on the name KNG which is an anagram for Know No Gates. Akeem believes that there is no limit to what one can achieve in life. And with hard work and dedication anything is possible. KNG has put out two projects. His first project was Pencil Shavings in the Ashtray released on his birthday January 26 of 2018. His second project Hungry Pains was released September of 2018. KNG also has a single “Tuff” that was released January of 2019. KNG has been compared to some of the greatest including J Cole and Kendrick Lamar.
Click HERE to vote!
Kilo Kavadi - (@kilokavadi)
Tyrone Londale Roberts (born May 20, 1989), known professionally as Kilo Kavadi, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Columbus, OH, Roberts first became involved in music earlier in his youth where he was known for freestyles and local battles. His debut album, "Dummiez", released April 2019 and has been streaming raqpidly led by current single, "Big Dreams".
Ahead of his time, Roberts is unlike any underground artists as he is only compared to established artist. Although Roberts is open to discussing a record deal, he has made it clear that he is in no rush to sign with anyone.
Click HERE to vote!
KVtheWriter - (@kvthewriter)
KVtheWriter is a rapper-songwriter, artist, and author hailing from St. Louis, MO. KVtheWriter, known for her nationally awardwinning poetry book “Of Magic and Madness,” started writing poetry in grade school. She participated in a number of poetry slams throughout high school, and hosted a number of poetry events in college.
After her first year in college, she tragically lost her father to gun violence, and started a blog to help process her grief. Several writings from her blog have gone viral including “Sins of the Father,” “Losing Your Dad when You’re a Daddy’s Girl” and “Black Girl Magic, Depression, and Harry Potter.” These blog posts have been featured in several online blog outlets such as ForHarriet, Thought Catalogue, and Bust.
A few years after losing her father, another gun related tragedy struck the writer with the loss of her older brother Tyrell “Rell Finesse” Thompson. KV, once again, dived into the world of writing as a way to cope with her loss. She started off writing songs using beats she found on Youtube. Over time, she honed her songwriting skills and began creating lyrics to R&B, Rap, Soul, Pop, and Trap instrumentals. In 2018, she caught the ear of her college friend and producer Eric “Blair the Machine” Humphrey. Together, they created the melodic and lyrical sound she has on her newest project “Love Sucks!”
Click HERE to vote!
Minus Gravity (@minusgravity)
Minus Gravity’s grind started back in San Antonio. After an impromptu water balloon fight, Mic Apollo and Sir Blaze became fast friends in middle school. Bonding over music (both flaunted their solo CDs around town), they began recording at Mic Apollo’s home studio. Joined by Rob Will in high school, they made waves locally under the name BDS Monstaz, landing a string of regional hits and cutting their teeth on stage.
In 2013, Mic Apollo and Rob Will went off to college in Atlanta and Sir Blaze joined—without actually enrolling. During 2014, they dropped out, packed everything, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams of making music. Touted by WorldStarHipHop, their single “90’s Babies” went viral and they found themselves in a production deal signed two days after arriving on the West Coast. After the deal’s dissolution and an epic four months living at hotspot hotel The Mondrian, Minus Gravity hit a rough patch. “We knew we were going to stay in L.A. no matter what, but we had to prove those words ‘no matter what’,” said Mic Apollo. “We went from a five-star life to sleeping in the truck and even on the streets.That’s where our journey really started.” Between hosting parties in the Hollywood Hills and countless performances, the guys released a string of fan favorite singles online, including “Too Much” [feat. Riff Raff], “Pull Up On You,” “Join The Team,” and more. By 2017, the tireless grind lead them to sign to a subsidiary of Capitol Music Group. Uncontainable energy, uncompromising drive , a breakneck pace mean Minus Gravity are here to stay. Climb aboard and join the team
Click HERE to vote!
A3C is a music, tech & culture festival and conference with over 30,000 attendees. Founded in 2005, A3C has grown from a local hip-hop showcase to become one of the most important events of the year. We connect, educate and inspire the artists, entrepreneurs and creatives that shape culture.
The A3C Festival (Oct 8-13) is a series of unforgettable concerts and experiences celebrating hip-hop's past, present and future at premier venues across Atlanta. The events highlight different elements of hip-hop culture and feature hundreds of artists, producers, DJs and creatives from around the world. Venues and schedule of events to be announced.
The A3C Conference (Oct 10-12) includes keynotes, panels, workshops, mixers and sessions featuring hundreds of innovators and thought-leaders.
Conference Tracks: Music, Tech, Social Justice, Film/TV, Marketing, Branding, Podcast, Content Creators, Style, Gaming and more.
