SXSW Live Shot: Joey Bada$$

Past both an annoying drizzle and the inept patron handling at the entrance of the historic Scoot Inn, you were in for a dope rundown. The Mass Appeal-sponsored, Nas-hosted Live at the BBQ showcase boasted a strong lineup, including Fashawn and Prhyme, Royce the 5’9”’s collaboration with DJ Premier.

Joey Bada$$ (Photo by David Brendan Hall)

One notable addition to the lineup was New Orleans enigma Kevin Gates, whose street smash “I Don’t Get Tired (#IDGT)” rang true in a buoyant live-wire set. His curious inclusion wasn’t the last oddity of the night. The bridging over into Joey Bada$$ was made seamless with Boston DJ/producer/host Statik Selektah, a pro controlling the ones and twos.

Mississippi wordsmith Big K.R.I.T. made a brief appearance to hype up his Cinematic Music compatriot Bada$$, with his entire Pro Era crew in tow. The latter’s excellent performance was crowned with spirited deliveries of “Waves” and DJ Premier-produced “Paper Trail$,” wherein the young Bed-Stuy Brooklyn rapper spits a twist to an old adage: “They say money is the root of all evil. I see money as the route of all people.”

Both the SXSW website and the schedule at the door listed a “special guest” closing the festivities: no-show Georgia trio Migos. Bada$$ shut down the stage in their absence with excellent call-and-response, encouraging the crowd to mosh during crowd favorite “Survival Tactics.”

Complete SXSW Music coverage at austinchronicle.com/sxsw/music