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.

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.”

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