DAY 1: Cee-Lo Green, Killer Mike, Troy Carter, James Andrews, Kelechi, Dave B, Scotty ATL And More Shined At “Hip-Hop’s Annual Pilgrimage
With expertly curated panels and mentorship sessions, live podcasts, showcases featuring some of the best new talent and the “Welcome To Atlanta” dinner, sponsored by ChooseATL, the first day of A3C offered attendees a taste of everything the festival plans to offer over the next four days.
A3C partnered with SMASH’D Labs and Comcast to present a conversation about the intersection between Tech & Culture with industry vets James Andres, Troy Carter and Marlon Nichols. Following the panel, Troy shared how impressed he was with the conference.
Following the full day of panels and interviews, A3C partnered with ChooseATL for the Welcome To Atlanta dinner, which drew a crowd of government and industry luminaries, including Atlanta mayoral hopeful Michael Sterling. During the evening, A3C presented international star, Cee-Lo Green, with a Cultural Innovator Award, while Killer Mike received the 2016 Social Impact Award.
The Loudermilk Conference Center was buzzing all day with aspiring executives and artists jumping at the opportunity to learn and network with some of the biggest pioneers in the music business.
One of the most popular sessions of the day was an intimate conversation with Organized Noize about the early days of the Dungeon Family.
Following a standing-room-only keynote interview at A3C 2015, Ryan Leslie returned to the conference to offer a master class titled “Conversations – Your Most Valuable Currency.” The class was just one of many A3C Conference sessions this year which break away from the traditional panel model to offer attendees a more personalized experience
The final day of the 2016 A3C Conference saw two music legends dropping jewels on not just their own careers, but also the business of music. Hundreds gathered as Master P spoke with music critics Maurice Garland and Branden Peters during the special A3C Conversation aptly titled, “There Is No Limit.”
DAY 3: The Conference Closed And Festival Grounds Opened. **Highlights Include, Rick Ross, Royce 5’9″, Master P, Too $hort, Bad Boy’s Hitmen Reunion, Ari Lennox, And The Shawty Lo Tribute
The evening continued with the BET Music Stage, with performances by Rick Ross, Stalley, Royce 5’9″ and more.
DAY 4: Mass Appeal and A3C Brought Back 1996 with Def Squad, Bun B, Too Short, And Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
credit: Richard Martin
DAY 5: 2016 A3C Festival Came To A Close After 5 Successful Days Of Panels, Workshops, And Performances. Mystikal closed out “Master P’s No Limit Boys & Friends,” which included additional performances by Silkk The Shocker, Snootie Wild and Rico Richie.
Mystikal closed out “Master P’s No Limit Boys & Friends.”
Masego stole the spotlight during the afternoon’s “It’s Lit” show, which also featured fellow buzzworthy newcomers Alex Wiley, Jerreau and Cousin Stizz.
credit: Vickey Ford
DAY 5: 2016 A3C Festival Came To A Close After 5 Successful Days Of Panels, Workshops, And Performances. Mystikal closed out “Master P’s No Limit Boys & Friends,” which included additional performances by Silkk The Shocker, Snootie Wild and Rico Richie.
On Sunday, A3C also celebrated Savage Fam Productions and Soul Food Cypher’s success in setting a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Team Freestyle Cypher, which now stands at 24 hours, 26 minutes and 46 seconds.
“The opportunity to be a part of this world record is amazing,” states Mike Walbert, Executive Director of A3C. “I’m in awe of what Savage Fam Pro and Soul Food Cypher have done and am just honored they decided to do it with A3C. The A3C Festival & Conference is the perfect platform for the cypher. Maybe 48 hours next year?”
Stories from the Frontline of Urban Music, Arts and Culture 