Soundset 2010

For the past two years, I have been threatening to go to Soundset. Unfortunately, the price tag has prevented me from attending in the past. The ticket is only $35, I just happen to be a financially challenged and terribly irresponsible individual.

Fear not.

This year, armed with a serious camera (not mine) and a badass attitude, I managed to shimmy into the festival on behalf of our beloved Tastemakers. Rejoice! Soundset is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Allow me to explain.

The hip-hop festival is put on by Minneapolis-based record label Rhymesayers Entertainment. The concert is an outdoor, two-stage festival in Minnesota, and, contrary to popular belief, it does get warmer than ten degrees here. The event is an 11 a.m. to sundown party with quick 45 minute to hour-long sets, one after the other, on two different stages; more than 35 artists perform in roughly 10 hours.

It ruled. Not to mention the fact that there was also a ‘€œlive art’€ graffiti wall, a b-boy dance tent, low rider custom car show, skate competition, and hydraulic car hop contest.

As a hip-hop fan, and music fan in general, it was rather overwhelming in the best possible sense. Even with just two stages, I found myself having to decide which show to see and which to miss; do I want to go see local boy Cecil Otter on the Fifth Element Stage? Or recently signed Rhymesayers artist Freeway & Jake One on the Main Stage?  P.O.S?  Or Alabama’s noise maker Yelawolf?

There was plenty of fresh talent (check out Ice Rod, the dude is ridiculous) and plenty of seasoned rap superstars like Redman and Method Man, a duo I would never pay to see, but I’m really glad I got to see live. I have to give it to them, they have a pretty wild show and they are true entertainers. Legendary producer 45 King was DJing in the b-boy tent.  Sound familiar? Probably not, but he produced ‘€œHard Knock Life’€ for Jay-Z. I know, sweet, right?!

The festival closed with Twin Cities’ son Atmosphere as the sun set over Soundset. It was a lovely day filled with a smorgasbord (yea, I said it) of great music and entertainment. Soundset 2010- GET SOME.

Check out some of my festival highlights HERE.