Soundset 2015
Canterbury Park - Shakopee, MN
Photos by: Kiley Swenson
There is something about me, music festivals, and rain.
If I chose to go to Coachella I swear I could end California’s drought.
Instead I went to Soundset, the largest hip-hop festival in the country, located in Minneapolis. This was my first time in Minnesota, but I’m a lifelong Rhymesayers fan so fuck yeah I was stoked for this trip. Rain in Denver delayed my flight so I hit the ground running upon arriving in the Twin Cities.
There was no time to fuck around. I met my friend Kiley, who came down from Wisconsin to be the photographer for the show, we dropped our bags and smashed First Avenue for the pre-party. I was really excited just to be at First Avenue. The place is legendary. I mean… fucking Purple Rain for fucks sake.
We walked in while Fashawn was killing the stage. This is a hard working emcee whose effort has earned him a deal with Mass Appeal records. Dude at the age of 26 already sounded like a veteran on stage with those bars on bars on bars.
Prof and DJ Fundo headlined the show and did not disappoint. They ripped through a set of classics and sprinkled in some new gems that had the crowd of Gampos in a frenzy. In the middle of the set Prof took a short break to announce his upcoming album, which will be his first official release on Rhymesayers Entertaiment. Prof being Prof, he then proceeded to crowd surf on an inflatable raft with a camera strapped to his chest. The show went late into the night and we dipped out just in time to catch a drunken fist fight on the way back to the hotel.
It was officially time for Soundset.
We woke up to an overcast sky, grabbed some brunch downtown, and hit the road to Canterbury Park in Shakopee (which I still can’t pronounce). The weather was shit and there’s no nice way to say it. Wind, rain, and grey skies planted their heels and flipped the bird; as they say the show must go on.
We made our way through traffic, grabbed our press credz, and entered the park. The view from the entrance was something to behold. It stood atop a hill overlooking the entire park where we took only a brief moment to get a lay of the land before heading to the stage; we were a bit behind.
Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, and DJ Abilities kicked off a set at one of the side by side main stages. Their set consisted of solo joints, Hail Mary Mallon bangerz, and Abilities scratching like mad on the ones and twos. This trio was a proper start to what would be a jam packed day of hip-hop. The festival was just the one day and there were a lot of acts to get through so there was no time for fuckery. Sway jumped on stage and introduced the next act.
Dessa, the Minneapolis native, went hard into her set backed by her band. The crowd vibed with her but you could tell that the festival atmosphere made it difficult to have the intimacy one would get with a smaller venue.
Dessa gave no fucks.
She jumped down into the photo pit and rocked it with her stomach pinned to the barrier that was designed to separate artist from fanimal. Yes fanimal.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
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Nulla consequat erat ut tincidunt mollis. Quisque vulputate consequat consectetur. Duis eget nunc ac felis auctor commodo. Integer dignissim quam aliquam, pharetra est id, molestie ante. In turpis elit, feugiat accumsan fringilla eu, tincidunt et ligula. Quisque tempus auctor purus ac venenatis. Sed vehicula varius nibh, ac eleifend urna suscipit sit amet.
The rain relentlessly continued which caused a problem for our camera and clothing. We put on our ponchos and located a trash bag to MacGyver the shit onto the camera. Ok more like MacGruber the shit onto the camera but it worked so fuck you.
We embraced our inevitably moist fate and marched through the marsh of Canterbury Park.
Dilated Peoples finished off the second half of a solid set. Last year these bros signed to Rhymesayers and dropped the incredible album Directors of Photography. Their two decades of experience in the game showed on stage as they kept the heads knocking throughout the set. They were the most raw and quintessential hip-hop act on the bill in my opinion.
Yelawolf strutted out next. Yela has quietly built a strong following and a solid stage show where he combined a live band and DJ to blend a sound fitting of his cool Southern style. With the live band “Pop The Trunk” made my bones chill and ballz harden. The Lynyrd Skynryd of rap kicked ass for you, America.
On the opposite side of the park was the Fifth Element Tent. It was an actual fucking tent which was nice because the rain was ruthlessly face fucking my face.
I was wetter than your girlfriend at a D’Angelo concert.
We settled under the tent toward the end of B. Dolan’s set. He rocked the stage solo to the jam packed tent and spit his socially conscious and well bearded rhymes right in the face holes of the crowd. He nailed “Which Side Are You On?” then “Film The Police” and followed up with a track over a Castlevania instrumental.
No Castlevania isn’t the newest, hottest producer. It’s an old school Nintendo… you know what, just google it with your young ass.
Where are your parents?
Speaking of parents… Father was the next one to hit the Fifth Element stage. Father hails from Atlanta and crashed on the scene behind hits like “Look At Wrist.” A sea of young and rowdy Soundsetters crammed in to dance and sing along to Father’s songs. Everyone, including Father himself, was smiling and in good spirits. All the people around me introduced themselves and made friends (shoutout to Dior). The environment was exactly what you would hope for at a music festival. No fighting or shoving, it was all love bro bro.
We took a quick break and ate rain soaked sandwiches. It was time for the final push of big headliners.
Ludacris hit the stage looking, smelling, feeling like a million bucks. His confidence on stage is undeniable and his catalog speaks for itself. The hits smash one after another and his vibe was fun and entertaining. The crowd was dancing and screaming the lyrics word for word. Smiles for miles.
Kiley and I needed a break from the rain to switch out some gear so we headed to the Essential Elements Tent. The elevated breakdance floor made for a nice setup to catch the B-Boys and B-Girls in action. Everywhere you turned at Soundset there was talent. From the breakers, the emcees, skateboarders, graffiti artists, fashion designers, it was an endless stream of art.
It was beautiful.
It was what I hope heaven looks like, for a G.
We jumped back over to the main stage just in time for Big Sean. This dude, despite being new to the game, has amassed an array of hit songs that I know you know and you know I know you know. He had the most elaborate stage setup that was backed with lit up screens and fog machines. He had the audience amped up for “Mercy” and finished the set with “I Don’t Fuck With You.” Everywhere throughout the park people were screaming that shit.
Next up was the other big Sean. Atmosphere are heroes in this town and for a good reason.
Slug, Ant, and Plain Ole Bill took the stage on their home turf and made quick work of it. Slug made a comment about how everyone was in the rain and mud all day and we all looked shitty because of it. He followed that up with, “make some noise for your shitty fucking friends” and the place went nuts. Atmosphere dipped into twenty years of independent hip-hop history to build a solid set for the faithful Soundset crowd.
Not gonna sit here and act like I didn’t tear up during “Flicker” because I did.
B. Dolan and Dem Atlas joined for a freestyle session and stuck around to help close out the set.
Ice Cube is a motherfucking legend.
He is one of the biggest names in rap, ever, period. I was hyped to see this dude. I have been listening to him for damn near thirty years and this was the first time I had seen him perform live. He was joined on stage by WC and they got into classics going all the way back. From N.W.A., to Westside Connection, to solo joints, Ice Cube showed us why he is a certified rap God.
Ice Cube even joked at his own expense about people thinking he is “too Hollywood” to do shows like this but his performance shut up any and all haters. He still had the stage presence, energy, and fervor of any rapper out today. I want to know the secret with my old ass. Cube bounced around covering the entire stage, crip walked, and pretended the mic was a blunt that he was rolling and smoking.
Today, indeed, was a good day.
The final headliner was J. Cole. This bro took the rap world by storm and his live show was no joke.
A full band with DJ and singers? J. hit the stage ready to do work.
His demeanor was confident but not cocky. He didn’t seem nervous or over anxious he was just… cool. He seemed like the dude you would want to chill in a bar at a booth and have a few drinks while talking about life. When he went into “Wet Dreamz” and had the crowd screaming the words with him.
Face to the drizzle he knew that he has 30,000 people in the palm of his hand.
The sentimental track “Apparently” was fitting of the dark skies and rain. The moment felt so authentic and the music hit the crowd right in the feelz. J. Cole closed down the largest hip-hop festival in the country with grace and style.
He put 30,000 heads to bed.
I closed out my Soundset experience at the First Avenue after party. It was a Rhymesayers all-star showcase and then some. Dem Atlas, Brother Ali, Evidence and Babu, B. Dolan, and many more partied all night. I wandered around backstage to shove pizza in my pie hole.
This was my first experience traveling to cover a show and leaning against a wall watching Evidence and Babu perform “Mr. Slow Flow,” I realized how epic the weekend really was for me. I saw some of my all-time favorite acts and some new ones. Artists and rappers that I have looked up to my whole life were right there performing songs that I love.
Drenched and smiling with my 30,000 shitty fucking friends.
These are the moments that I live for.
This is hip-hop.