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Jay Z performs at Austin City Limits 2017

Jay Z

Photo: Gary Miller/FilmMagic

News
Jay Z Brought The Hits For ACL 2017 jay-z-takes-world-tour-austin-city-limits-2017

Jay Z Takes On A World Tour At Austin City Limits 2017

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Dropping hit tracks from a career stretching all that way back to 1996, the legendary lyricist reminded a packed Austin, Texas, crowd why he is one of the most honored rappers in GRAMMY history
Ogden Payne
GRAMMYs
Oct 8, 2017 - 10:57 am

For Jay Z, timing is everything. Throughout his two-decade-long career, his affinity for punctuality has trickled down to his fans, largely due to the extensive timepiece collection he often references, and the titling of his latest album.

Jay Z, Linkin Park Win Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Privy to this detail, festivalgoers at Austin City Limits 2017 sprinted across Zilker Park to ensure they did not miss the opening notes of his set, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. But as the official call time passed, it was apparent that for Jay Z fans, patience is a virtue.

At 8:27, the black veil covering the American Express stage dropped, revealing an oversized black balloon animal, shaped like a dog, sculpted by artist Jeff Koons. Shoulders swaying, Jay Z leisurely strolled to center stage, clad in a white T-shirt, black jeans, high-top Nikes, and his signature Roc Nation hat. As he scanned the crowd, a faint smirk appeared.

Jay Z at ACL 2017, Sculpture by Jeff Koons

As the quacking claps of his GRAMMY-winning song "Run This Town" underscored the deafening praise from the crowd, an unspoken pact was made: For the next hour and a half, Shawn "Jay Z" Carter called the shots.

While Shawn Carter may be a man of punctuality, Jay Z lives by his own rules. The two personas battle one another in an internal paradox that plays itself out in the rapper’s latest effort, 4:44, and oozed into his ACL performance.

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native used his set list to take Austinites on a round-trip flight across the world, beginning by lyrically listing his illicit activities in Marcy Projects to boasting about his aristocratic experiences in Paris. Songs of remorse and vulnerability were sprinkled in between his most popular cuts, including the GRAMMY-winning collaboration with Alicia Keys, "Empire State Of Mind."

At Jay’s behest, attendees across the park raised their arms and put their index fingers and thumbs together to form the immortal Roc-A-Fella diamond. Though the dynasty he built with former business partner Dame Dash is no more, Jay Z’s effortless mix of music and business permeated across cultures and prompted fans, some half his age, to commit his lyrics to memory. 

"His music grows with him," 21 Savage told GRAMMY.com of Jay Z's ability to stay relevant. "He ain't just rapping about the same thing he was rapping about when he first came out, so that’s what keeps it interesting, because as he grows as a man and does more stuff business-wise, he applies that to the music, so that's why I think he’s been able to grow like that and stay around."

"I told you [in] ‘96 that I came to take this s***, and I did!” Jay emphatically declared during his live rendition of "Heart Of The City."

At the time he originally recorded the track in 2001, the statement might not have been more than bravado. Now, his 21-year-long résumé confirms his spot atop hip-hop's throne. Since the release of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, in 1996, Jay has garnered 21 GRAMMY wins alongside fourteen No. 1 albums, selling more than 36 million units worldwide. Just days before his highly anticipated album 4:44 was due, he received the title as the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Who Are The Top GRAMMY Winners Of All Time?

"I remember when rap was said to be a fad," he wrote on Twitter. "We are now alongside some of the greatest writers in history."

Jay Z's point of view often came from that of a have-not, "from the school of the hard knocks." However, his rock-influenced production of “99 Problems” and emotional tribute to friend and collaborator Chester Bennington proved that his vast catalog resonates with people from all walks of life.

Jay Z at Austin City Limits 2017

As hundreds of thousands of fans piled out of Zilker Park, phrases of awe pervaded conversations. In years to come, many will study the Jay Z blueprint in the hopes to replicate his savvy and success, while pondering what the key ingredient has been to his 20-plus-year career in the music business.

As he once told Forbes, "The genius thing that we did was we didn't give up."

See All Of Our Coverage Of Austin City Limits 2017

21 Savage

21 Savage

Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images

Interview
Interview: 21 Savage On 'Issa Album,' Jay-Z 21-savage-issa-album-jay-z-business

21 Savage On 'Issa Album,' Jay-Z, & Business

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The "Bank Account" rapper talks about his debut full-length, lists his favorite ATL rappers and drops his hip-hop philosophy
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 12, 2017 - 11:32 am

At this point in the rich history of rap music, it's abundantly clear that there are many styles of the art form, with many more yet to be explored. The through-line is that successful rappers seem most confident at being one thing: themselves.

21 Savage On Jay-Z's Ability To Stay Relevant

Enter 21 Savage. The Atlanta-based chartbuster with two No. 1 singles already, and a style — and swagger — all his own has been the man in-demand this year. Basically, if you haven't heard "Bank Account," or any one of Savage's collab hits with Drake, Post Malone or Future, you haven't been listening.

His debut full-length, Issa Album, just dropped in July, and it's all Savage — no features, no guests. But the rapper downplays this bold statement of standing on his own. "The way I look at it, it's just new music," Savage said of his latest release during a recent visit to the Recording Academy headquarters.

Issa Album also had the distinct pleasure — or perhaps challenge — of dropping the same day as Jay-Z's 4:44. Going toe-to-toe with Hova like that could not have been easy, but certain high-profile fans such as Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball gave 21 the edge. Ball said, "21 Savage's [album] is bumping more" than Jay's, causing quite the storm of reactions from the hip-hop and sports worlds. Savage's reaction to Ball's bold claim? Simple.

"That's how he feels, that's what it is. He likes it, that's his opinion."

But make no mistake, the young rapper has plenty of respect for Jay-Z.

"He grows, his music grows with him," Savage says of Jay-Z's ability to stay relevant. "He ain't just rapping about the same thing he was rapping about when he first came out, so that's what keeps it interesting, because as he grows as a man and does more stuff business-wise, he applies that to the music, so that's why I think he's been able to grow like that and stay around."

The album's first hit is also 21 Savage's biggest to date, "Bank Account." According to him, the process in the studio was a straightforward one.

"[Producer] Metro [Boomin] helped me make the beat and then he pulled it up and I started recording."

Savage and Metro have come up together, and both have become highly sought-after collaborators. Forbes recently even went as far as to suggest Metro might be "the next big star in hip-hop."

The raw bravado and fierce individuality behind 21 Savage's music has also helped him out on the business side. The deal he leveraged is remarkable, as he was able to stay independent with his label Slaughter Gang while landing distribution with Epic Records and keeping 100 percent ownership of his masters.

"I just go in with my best interest at heart," Savage says of the unprecedented terms he secured. "We went back and forth until we could get it to where I was comfortable. That's just the way it goes."

A native of Atlanta, Savage is quick to name his top five ATL rappers in the game right now: Future, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Migos, and Young Nudy. But Savage's style stands out, reinforcing his philosophy.

"I feel like the game just don't respect us like they're supposed to. Y'all want everyone in the rap game to rap like each other," Savage told Genius. "Respect all the music the same, just because a n***** is not lyrical, that doesn't mean that it's not a good song, or it's not good music. If everybody was lyrical, everybody's songs would sound the same."

This philosophy on hip-hop opens the door for 21 Savage to go anywhere he wants from here. His next move takes him on a 22-city U.S. tour that starts Nov. 16 in Austin, Texas, and includes an appearance at the first ever Rolling Loud Festival in San Bernardino, Calif. alongside Future, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rae Sremmurd.

While Savage’s lasting impact on rap remains in the balance, his infectious shot of success this year is undeniable.

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Miley Cyrus, photographed in 2017
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Solange at ACL 2017

Solange

Photo: Greg Noire/C3

Photo Gallery
ACL Fest 2017: Weekend One Photo Gallery solange-gorillaz-rhcp-relive-acl-2017-weekend-one-photo-gallery

Solange, Gorillaz, RHCP: Relive ACL 2017 Weekend One (Photo Gallery)

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With amazing sets by The XX, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Grace VanderWaal, and Zhu, look back on the first weekend of Austin City Limits 2017 in full color
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Oct 9, 2017 - 6:07 pm

The first weekend of Austin City Limits 2017 is officially in the books, wrapping up three days of amazing music.

Grace VanderWaal On Singing With Her Hero

Each day saw epic performances from the likes of Grace VanderWaal, Solange, Run The Jewels, the Gorillaz, Jay Z, and many, many more.

Take a look back at some of the best sets of the weekend with our exclusive Austin City Limits 2017 photo gallery.

James Vincent McMorrow At ACL 2017
Solange, Gorillaz, RHCP: Relive ACL 2017 Weekend One (Photo Gallery)

See All Of Our Coverage Of Austin City Limits 2017

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Kat Dahlia

Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage

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ACL 2019: 7 Rising Artists To Watch austin-city-limits-2019-7-rising-artists-watch

Austin City Limits 2019: 7 Rising Artists To Watch

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Here are several rising artists to add to your rotation from the Austin City Limits festival
Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
GRAMMYs
Oct 14, 2019 - 10:47 am

When it comes to music festivals, you pay for the headlining acts and leave with newfound emerging favorites. Over the course of two weekends, Austin City Limits 2019 gave festivalgoers more than enough chances to check out both sides of the spectrum, with both major-label marquee names and a heaping handful of up-and-comers. From Kat Dahlia to Pink Sweat$, here are several rising artists to add to your rotation from Austin City Limits 2019. 

Kat Dahlia
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Jessie Reyez, Alessia Cara, Kali Uchis

Dahlia is one of those genre-defying indie artists who has grown into her skin in front of all who are smart enough to keep tabs. The Cuban-American singer, who performed at the BMI stage at ACL weeked two, established a strong pop foundation with My Garden in 2015, whose titular track earned a spot on the Billboard 200. After a hiatus, Dahlia's re-introduction this year makes a case for taking a reprise to find the right wave to ride. Her new tracks, "Dime Si Te Llego" and "Mojada," spotlight her bilingual roots and lead towards seemingly effortless, airy urbano. It’s the kind of music that requires ample personal space for your arms to sway about freely. 

Pink Sweat$
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Omar Apollo, Mac Ayres

David Bowden has earned recognition in the music industry and beyond with just two bite-sized EPs. But, of course, he’s surely more than willing to take new membership applications for the pink gang (as he calls his fans). Sporting a baby pink vest and a pink in-ear monitor to match, he poured his soul out with a sultry, interactive performance. The Philadelphia native’s voice needs little instrumental support, and is a treat for solo over-ear headphone listening and outdoor group belting alike. His eclectic sound is due to his own musical tastes. "I feel like my ears are always eclectic to catchy things, but just different sounds," he said.in an interview with the Recording Academy at ACL. 

Koffee
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Mr Eazi, Burna Boy

Anything but a larger-than-life set is unlikely coming from this 19-year-old. If you’re a person who leaves the house, you’ve likely touched noses with someone as the sound of "Toast" filled the room. The Jamaican reggae and dancehall queen (born Mikayla Simpson) is a must-see and, being that she doesn’t yet have a collection of songs to her name, definitely one to keep an eye on. Safe to say standing still while listening to this multi-talented teen is nothing short of impossible.

Tierra Whack
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty

This 24-year-old rapper is just getting started. But with a GRAMMY nomination and covetable spots on best end-of-year roundups and Pitchfork’s best-of-the-decade list, she’s accomplished more than most. Her 15-track debut pronounced her an unparalleled, refreshingly quirky addition to the hip-hop spectrum. The collection, Whack World, which clocks in for a total of 15 minutes, proves that longer isn’t always better—a notion she doubled down on with her live ACL setlist. At one point during her performance on weekend one, she took a dive into the crowd. "Not your average girl/He needed swag and I provide it," she sings on "Hungry Hippo."

Diamante Eléctrico  
 

Diamante Eléctrico at the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards

For fans of: Jorge Drexler, Juan Pablo Vega, Monsieur Periné 

Though this trio from Colombia has always been a delight, with hundreds of live shows and a Latin GRAMMY for Best Rock Album win in 2017, their latest shift towards funk and a more experimental sound feels like the final stage of their artistic metamorphosis. Their latest album, Buitres, is a dreamy concoction. This is one of the very few Latin acts that made appearances both weekends.

Yola
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Johnnyswim

For country music fans, Yola is a breath of fresh air. Adding a pinch of pop and a cup of soul to the classic guitar kick, this singer/songwriter’s sound is sweet and timeless. The U.K. artist made her official debut with Walk Through Fire. She followed that up with a booked schedule filled with impressive live performances at SXSW festival, Music Midtown, Newport Folk Festival on Rhode Island, and last but certainly not least, opener sets on Kacey Musgraves' tour. 

Mahalia
 

GRAMMYs

For fans of: Jorja Smith, Ella Mai, Summer Walker 

Signed to Atlantic Records at the age of 13, this young artist will envelope you with her honey-bathed voice, while her lyrics unleash relatable words of love and heartbreak. Her debut album, Love And Compromise, is a testament to her capabilities. She even stopped by backstage with the Recording Academy to share some details on who helped shape the album. If you managed to catch her at ACL's Honda stage this weekend, you can officially say you were an OG stan before she becomes a headliner. 

5 Texas Artists Who Rocked Austin City Limits 2019

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Alesia Lani at ACL 2019

Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images

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5 Texas Artists Who Rocked ACL 2019 5-texas-artists-who-rocked-austin-city-limits-2019

5 Texas Artists Who Rocked Austin City Limits 2019

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From Kacey Musgraves to Gary Clark Jr., a sonically and racially diverse array of artists put their best notes forward at ACL 2019
Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo
GRAMMYs
Oct 13, 2019 - 4:14 pm

There’s no place like home, and, over the last two weekends, several Texan artists represented their hometowns at Austin City Limits Festival 2019.

Reflective of the state itself, a sonically and racially diverse array of artists put their best notes forward, even if the weather, which began in the upper 40s on Friday and warmed to a high of 79 on Sunday, was a little moody. With the exception of Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who missed her allotted set time, each artist proved to be a standout act in one of the country's greatest music hubs. Some would say it was all “a big dream,” as R&B artist Alesia Lani describes it. 

Here are a few names, both familiar and on the rise, who rocked the stages at Zilker Park.

PNTHN
 

GRAMMYs

Hometown: All over Texas

Following in the prevalent trend of doing away with vowels, this eight-man rap collective’s name is pronounced “pantheon.” Earlier this year they told Complex they’re “a group of gods coming together.” Amongst them is a graphic designer, a photographer and several producers. This year at ACL gives the Texas-based group a chance to let the audience decide for themselves. 

Kacey Musgraves
 

GRAMMYs

Hometown: Golden

"The sky is finally open, the rain and wind start blowin'… You hold tight to your umbrella, darlin’ I’m just tryna tell ya/That there’s always been a rainbow hanging over your head." Is that a Kacey Musgraves song, or a description of this crisp year at ACL? Let’s say both. The country-pop singer's show, lacking in neither hand clapping nor yee-haws, was one of the festival’s most awaited acts. The 2019 Album Of The Year GRAMMY winner dazzled and serenaded the audience in her golden-hour slot.

Alesia Lani
 

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza The Recording Academy

Hometown: Austin

This year marked Alesia Lani’s first time performing at ACL. The Missouori-born R&B loyal who grew up in Austin, Texas took a moment to chat with the Recording Academy, telling us of the city's artistic nature, “With Austin, there's so much room for opportunity... There's so much room to grab your goals and get out there and talk to people." Beloved by locals, the soul singer hopes being in Austin will shed light on the authentic work she’s doing. In 2015, she, along with GRAMMY winner Gary Clark Jr., earned a spot of The Austin Chronicle’s list of top 10s. Her upcoming work, she shares, will differ from her prior two albums. As she sings on "Along the Way,” from 2017’s Resilient, she’s figuring it out as she goes.  

Dayglow
 

GRAMMYs

Photo: Kahlil Levy

Hometown: Aledo

19-year-old Dayglow (Sloan Struble) is so good at making dreamy bedroom pop he’s reportedly decided to take a bet on it, leaving college in Austin behind to pursue a more long-term musical career in Nashville, Tenn. This will perhaps be the first time the Texan ops to live outside the state, and this year will forever live on as his first festival performance. The entirety of his debut self-produced and the self-released album was recorded in the bedroom he grew up in. 

Gary Clark Jr.
 

Gary Clark Jr.

Hometown: Austin

Gary Clark Jr., signed to Warner Bros Records, is ahead of his time. In 2014, he won a GRAMMY for Best Traditional R&B Performance and was nominated for Best Rock Song. At 35, he’s shared the stage with the likes of Beyoncé and the Rolling Stones. His latest LP, This Land, is already a conversation-starter, with fans taking the liberty to nominate him for awards that won’t have a list of potential claimants for months to come. In the meantime, Clark tells KVUE his only plans on the horizon at the moment are to "ride off into the sunset with my family and go hide out for a second." Needless to say, those who got to see his nine-song set over these last two weekends were in for a treat.

The Aces On How They Stay Healthy On Tour & Why They Love ACL | Austin City Limits 2019

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.