It’s a hot Tuesday night in Atlanta. In the depths of the Apache Cafe, DJ Scizzahands is on the decks and Dres tha Beatnik has command of the mic. In spots like Apache, DJs battle with their fingers, B-boys and B-girls show their moves on the floor, and MCs throw their battle hymns in the air. This year’s A3C Independent Hip Hop Festival was no different.
Three years ago, local label ArcTheFinger came up with this idea to combine local independent and underground hip hop with talent from all over the country. This started when local hip hop acts like Collective Efforts, started opening up for popular acts across the country. This gave them some exposure and got other talent and fans interested in groups they had never seen or heard of before. ATF then decided it was time to put together a night, or nights that would combine the art of true culture, beats and ryhmes and expose Atlanta to very underrated hip hop talent.
One group that has been part of the hip hop fest for all three years is Alpha Noise, consisting of members: KEL, Jay Qwest, and DJ Scizzahands.

KEL was very excited to see all the acts that played. He said that “ATF made a smart move by cutting the acts down some and giving everybody a little longer to play. It let the crowd get to know the acts they didn’t know a little more and also enjoy the acts they did know.” He’s enjoyed being a part of the festival for all three years and watching it grow. “It’s refreshing to be around so many cats that are in the same mindstate as you. All the artists are moving in the same direction, we are all trying to get to the same place we’re just using different means (sounds, styles,etc) to get there. And having a grip of “indie” hip hop acts all collect in Atlanta, the center of the mainstream right now, and show that there is a different movement happening, is dope.”
There were so many amazing acts to hit the stage this year: Collective Efforts, Hangar 18, Cool Calm Pete, Sol.illaquists of sound, INTELLEKT, Giant Panda, Kenn Starr, etc. All gave incredible performances. Hangar 18 even made a surprise appearance on Thursday and Friday. Hangar 18 said that they got a great welcome from everyone at A3C. They were the first act to play on two nights. They said, “We were completely blown away by the Sol.illaquists of sound. They were unbelieveable.” They would also “like to thank everyone at ATF and A3C who put the event together and showed us a great time. We look forward to working with them again and thanks ro all the people and artists who came out.”
Overall, the A3C Independent Hip Hop Festival was a great success and fans and listeners, as well as performers cannot wait until it happens again next year!