Written and Posted by Israel Lerma
Photography Credits: archivedbyollie
For the first time ever, I attended SXSW 2026 with my two fellow DJs and now good friends, Chloe and Steven :)! Being in downtown Austin, while so dispersed, there was so much happening everywhere, from movie screens, innovative lectures, clubhouses, and most importantly, concerts everywhere. As the city is so diverse, from its people to its venues, there was always something for everyone's liking. And what better way than to highlight my biggest passion, hip-hop, and whose is about to start running it
Don Toliver
On the first day we arrived (Friday), the first show I actually saw was none other than the future of hip-hop, hailing from Houston, Texas, Don Toliver. Before the show, I was fortunate enough to be in the Billboard Interview with Don Toliver, a one-hour interview in an intimate audience of 40 people, sitting next to my friend and upcoming rapper, MoscatoJ. In this interview, Don revealed his thought process on how he created Octane, the idea, the influence of the observatory, and why he created it there specifically. He also discussed his relationship with his mentor, Travis Scott, how they are more than business partners, and how Rosary, the song featuring La Flame on the album, was made in one day, before the album's release. Lastly, he also mentioned that he was already in the creation of his new album and that new music is coming soon (so cool hearing that first, I might add)!
Following his first show post-Octane, in the heart of Austin in Waterloo Park, Don came on and put on the best performance of the whole festival. He came the banger intro of the album E85, playing an altered guitar intro to introduce the song. Being in general admission, the crowd already started getting crazy, as people had already started moshing and forming circles. People were screaming the lyrics like crazy, as we were getting a taste of the ethereal night to come. Following that was Body, the song that sampled Justin Timberlake's famous Rock Your Body. Again, people went ballistic as Don's voice and the iconic sample with the filthy bass had them hyped. The live guitar playing also made the song more atmospheric, but Don's voice, especially, and stage presence is what had the crowd floating. In just two songs, I went from being in the middle to being near the barricade!
Another song I want to highlight is Gemstone, which is as beautiful as its name. Sampling Malaguena by Stan Kenton, this song's trumpets just hit differently live. Like, whenever the first beat of the song played, people started getting ready to jump and push. When the famous four count of the bass started hitting, everyone was going crazy, and the person next to me even fell. The rest of the song was great, as Don strikes a good balance between keeping the crowd hyped and focusing on his voice and stage moves.
To close his set and celebrate the 6th year of his debut, Heaven or Hell, Don concluded with After Party. When the trumpets started playing, we all knew we had to celebrate its anniversary together. With an altered live guitar intro and improv, Don sold the last song, singing his heart out, as fire and smoke filled the screen. Everyone was enjoying and singing along to this classic song.
BigXThaPlug.
Lastly, I want to discuss another up-and-comer of the hip-hop game, BigXThaPlug. Coming from Dallas, Texas, he is a current legend notable for his deeper, raspier voice. BigXthaPlug's set felt really authentic, as he grabbed the Austin City Limits venue by the collar, and turned it into his. The bass of each song was shaking everything, and what made it work was how comfortable BigX was in his own element, proving he belongs in the rap game. He raps with that heavy, blunt, deep voice that cuts through the noise, and makes him so special to hear live.
What I liked most was the little human moments in between: him talking to the crowd and the ladies, laughing and admiring the crowd's reaction of us all, while keeping the show still goinggg.
He played "The Largest", where the beat knocks immediately, and BigX comes in sounding confident before the song even starts. It's that heavy, confident delivery in which every bar feels like he's stamping his own name on the line of what is hip-hop. The hook is one of the catchiest ever, something that was screamed out by the people around me. I really appreciate the songs and his rap style, as they don't try to be complicated; they simply hit the mark and encapsulate a simple yet powerful rap that sells. Even the songs where he doesn't rap and hits a country stick, sound quite good, as it genuinely surprised me hearing that vibe coming from a man his size. 
The last song he played was the most notable, as it brought out a seven-year-old fan on stage. Ending off with Texas, it feels personal, ending with as we jointly feel the pride, hometown energy vibe that united us all in the room. The way he rides the beat is pretty grounded, a little more chest and oomph in the voice. It's not just a song about a place that made him who he is, but it feels like he's carrying the whole state with him, as he and Don are quite doing! The hook feels like something you scream out loud, being from the place we love, making us proud to feel like a Texan.