Staci Russell
SXSW showcase: Friday, March 19, Victory Grill, 8:50pm
If hip-hop is a man’s world, nobody told Staci Russell. The 21-year-old singer is the leading lady of Austin’s burgeoning female MC scene, proving her mettle by going toe-to-toe with some of Texas’ biggest rappers, including Z-Ro and Gerald G. Matching up is made easier because of Russell’s absolutely insane amount of swagger, but she’s also used to trading rhymes with the boys. She always consumed the ladies, like Gangsta Boo, MC Lyte, Salt ‘n’ Pepa, and Trina, but Russell learned how to rap from the boys, listing Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Pimp C as her guides. Last year’s The Diary Part 1: In the Spotlight earned her a Southern Entertainment Awards nomination for Indy R&B Artist of the Year, and just last week she dropped Part 2, a collection of past hits. Her debut drops this year. Ladies’ nights may never be the same.
This article appears in March 12 • 2010.