The city of Austin will be growing another festival with the aid of a local Hip Hop collective and a few rap legends. On May 20-21, the hip hop organization known as the College of Hip Hop Knowledge will be holding its inaugural Rhyme Time Fest.

The event will be 2 days of hip hop from local acts as well as rap legends Afu-Ra, Abstract Rude, Aceyalone, & Myka 9. The latter 3 also form the group Haiku D’Etat.

The event will take place at Kick Butt Coffee Music & Booze, where CHHK has been known to put on many successful events. Co-founder of the group, Michael Pereida – also known as “ Big Mic” – says the decision to select these acts as the two headliners was a no-brainer.

“We’ve brought in Afu-Ra & Haiku D’Etat because of their love & passion for Hip Hop & how they have represented it throughout their career, “ explains Pereida. “AFU on the East Coast & Haiku on the West Coast. They continue to do so through their art to this day.” The Austin rapper believes the choice lines up with what he and his co-founder and fellow artist, Jason Anderson-Ebener – better known as “Jsun The Prophesor” – are the foundation to what the organization was built upon.

“Our mission statement at College of Hip Hop Knowledge (CHHK) is Community, Unity & Opportunity. We are striving to instill this throughout the ATX Hip Hop scene to increase the visibility of the talented artists we have here.”

Afu-Ra and Aceyalone are two staples in hip hop that have been around for a long time. Afu first got into the rap game by making an appearance on Jeru The Damaja’s song, “Mental Stamina”, from the album, The Sun Rises in the East. He went on to release his debut album, The Body of the Life Force, in 2000 which featured the Billboard-charting singles, “Whirlwind Thru Cities”, “Defeat” and “Mortal Kombat”. He went on to release other projects and work with numerous producers, including the legendary DJ Premier.

Aceyalone has been holding down the underground West Coast rap scene for just as long. He started out as a member of Freestyle Fellowship and Project Blowed, one of the earliest open mics dedicated strictly for hip hop. In 1995 he dropped his debut album, All Balls Don’t Bounce. He followed that up with A Book of Human Language, Accepted Eclectic as well as Hip Hop and the World we Live In. In addition to his solo career, Aceyalone has been known for working with Abstract Rude and Myka 9 to form the group, Haiku D’etat. They released their self-titled debut in 1999 and made a 2nd project in 2004 entitled, Coup De Theatre.

Founded by Pereida and Ebener, CHHK is a consortium of artists with the goals of curating quality hip hop shows in Austin and fostering the principles of community, unity and opportunity. They have put on shows at various venues across the city including Kick Butt Coffeehouse, Flamingo Cantina and Tellers.

The festival will have 2 stages, one inside & another outside. On Saturday, May 20th, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude and Myka 9 will be headlining; on Sunday May 21st, Afu-Ra will be the featured performer. Tickets are now on sale for general admission and V.I.P.

Tickets are available here: Discounted Early Bird Tickets Available Now!

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