Musicians, Indie connoisseurs, and industry reps from around the globe dripped in to Austin to form a pool of multi-genre live music mash-ups that can only be called SXSW. Veterans of the music conference can quickly distinguish the repeat visitors from the hustle and bustle of young, eager talent just busting at the seams to make their mark on the world. As you pray to the music gods to give you the strength to endure the four-day pub crawl, you catch 30-45 minute sets from each genre of the spectrum. When you make it to the Afrofreque show, you know that it’s no mere showcase, but a glimpse of the spirit of true local Austin music.

To call them a hip-hop act serves no justice to the funk and soul elements that are perfectly crafted throughout their set. A paradigm of rhyme over a menagerie of supporting vocals, keys, and samples aligns the audience to stir an eruption of dance. Yes, yes, y’all. This is Austin hip-hop.

Afrofreque’s sound is reminiscent of The Roots, but only slightly. Add a mix of reggae, soul, funk, and old school hip hop and you can almost envision the picture. To get to hear them live would be the best description I could give. Once you add in some Prince and Nas samples, and a bit of wah guitars and funk-styled bass grooves, you can start to imagine what Afrofreque is all about. Their latest album release, Fresh Soul Frequencies, is sure to be the sound for the summer. Slick grooves and honest flow…. Austin hip-hop is alive. Afrofreque is a band to watch rise up over the next few seasons.