Protextor Reps “Austin”

Single premiere by Weird City Hip-Hop Festival organizer

“Some people think doing a song that reps Austin is corny,” acknowledges local rapper Adam Protextor. “Of course it’s not corny when it’s for Compton or New York. Subconsciously they feel Austin doesn’t deserve it.”

The MC, who recently hung up his P-Tek moniker to work under his surname Protextor, thus unveils the first track from his forthcoming full-length Shift, appropriately titled “Austin.” A dissertation on the local rap game, its author addresses homegrown hip-hop:

“They said a rapper can’t get no love in Austin.
These fans and audiences only watching these rock bands.
And goddamnit, good luck gettin’ into the bars with it.
It’s blues, indie rock, or honky-tonk, and that’s all kid.”

On another level, “Austin” serves as a partial autobiography for Protextor. It chronicles his arrival from the Midwest in 2010 and grassroots musical path, which coalesced around the weekly Austin Mic Exchange night he hosts at Spider House. He moved here as an unknown and now co-produces the town’s only dedicated hip-hop festival, Weird City.

While the new disc’s initial track never sounds like a brag, the Space Camp Death Squad member’s story represents the potential of the local scene. Accordingly, his verses meet frustration with optimism:

“Everybody acting like there’s a loose screw in this ship.
Me coming here from Iowa – that’s the stupidest shit.
So don’t make a move to Houston again because even you should admit,
There’s an opportunity or two loose in this bitch.”

The beat comes courtesy of Ian McKinney, aka Egon, who previously collaborated with Protextor on 2013’s DPS/LP2 and has gamer cred for composing the Octodad theme. Shift, Protextor’s third LP, arrives right after Weird City in September.

Expect info about Weird City’s 2015 lineup and location on social media tonight after organizers treat early bird ticket holders to a secret in-person lineup/venue reveal. We won’t divulge where the second annual fest will be held, but suffice to say it’s a unique, off-the-grid spot that’s not a regular concert venue.

Here’s “Austin” by Protextor:

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Protextor
Protextor’s Fleshlight-Funded Video
“Safe consensual sex is hot”

Kevin Curtin, Jan. 3, 2017

More by Kevin Curtin
The Austin Chronic: Ground Game Texas Vows to Keep Fighting for Decriminalization
Executive Director Catina Voellinger responds to Ken Paxton’s crusade to recriminalize marijuana in Austin

May 16, 2025

The Austin Chronic: Proposed Bill Would Mark “A Step in the Right Direction” for Medical Marijuana in Texas
On the table: easing of operational pains for dispensaries and allowing for THC inhalers, but critics still see much room for improvement

May 2, 2025

KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

Protextor, Adam Protextor, P-Tek, Austin Mic Exchange, Weird City Hip-Hop festival, Ian McKinney, Egon, Octodad

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle