Every year at South by Southwest, there is one cancellation that hits hard. In 2008, it was Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2, someone I’ve always wanted to see because he rarely tours the States. This year it was Jamaican dancehall phenom Terry Lynn. The great thing about Austin, of course, is that many of these artists eventually return.
Terry Lynn make her better-late-than-never Austin debut this Friday, playing a free show (with free beer to boot) at the Independent @ 501 Studios. Lynn is a cross between M.I.A., Sister Nancy, and Eazy-E. She spits ghetto realism over techno-infused dancehall, painting a bleak picture of Kingston’s concrete jungle that makes Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock” seem like a lullaby. This video for “The System,” from her album Kingstonlogic 2.0, is extra real.
Friday’s show celebrates new release It Was Written. RSVP required.
This article appears in June 19 • 2009.
