Tumblr ‘79 to 100′ Show @ Scoot Inn // SXSW 2016
by Jesse Menendez
For the past several years, the city of Chicago has ramped up it’s visibility at SXSW through it’s DCASE lead Chicago Made showcase. The initiative is aimed at introducing SXSW festival attendees to the music culture Chicago has to offer.
This years showcase featured, among others, Alabama born Chicago based rapper Mick Jenkins. Mick is currently enjoying great success from his follow up to the critically acclaimed release The Waters. Waves, his follow up, is a step forward for the thoughtful rapper and its popularity was evident in Austin, Texas. Mick hit the stage and immediately went into his song Alchemy. From that point on the crowd was his.
He engaged the audience with his trademark call and response of, “Drink more water!” The crowd was wavy and probably not taking Mick’s advice in lieu of other adult beverages.
What a difference a year makes. At last years SXSW, Mick performed at Hype Hotel to a respectable crowd. Some knew his music some didn’t. This year, at the Chicago Made showcase the people were there to see Mick. So much so that when Mick was done rockin’, the crowd bounced on to the next venue. What a difference a year makes.

#HSMSpotted - He’ll be singing lullabies pretty soon! Dad-to-be #JohnLegend belted it out on stage at #SXSW 🎹🎶 (at Houston Style Magazine)
GG: SF’s own amazing Thao Nguyen and the Get Down Stay Down at Barracuda. Amazing, wonderful, love her.
At SXSW this year, Richard Linklater, President Obama, Ellen Page, and more gave extensive talks.