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Athens hip-hop veterans and newcomers to perform at closing show of historic residency

Athens Banner-Herald - 6/29/2021

Jun. 29—Unprecedented in frequency and scope, the month-long Hip Hop Pit Stop concert series at Live Wire Athens has made history on the local scene each week during June. Held every Wednesday, the events have been a virtual who's who of artists, deejays, and vendors from Athens hip-hop past and present.

ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment, the Athens-based independent entertainment company that has co-presented each of the free Pit Stop concerts with Live Wire, will take over the venue for the final event of the series on Wednesday, June 30 from 8 to 11 p.m.

Athens hip-hop mainstay Curtison Jones, who performs under the name Caulfield, is scheduled to co-headline the show with Camilla Sims, who received the first-ever Emerging Black Artist grant for her work under her stage name, Convict Julie.

Jyshohn Lyryc, Nony1, Clark County, Young Mo, Tech Da Don, and Foreign are also on the bill for Wednesday, which will feature sets by Athens hip-hop veterans Tony B and DJ Chief Rocka.

"There's never been anything like this," Jones told the Banner-Herald on the way to Savannah to perform in last weekend's HalfAth Music Event. "I hope it will open up a lot more opportunities for hip-hop downtown."

Established in Athens in 2006, ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment (ALE) has been a consistent driving force of production and support behind many of the hip-hop scene's biggest events and most well-known artists. With a combined 20 years of music industry experience, ALE's board of directors haven't just watched Athens hip-hop grow, they've also contributed a lot of time and energy towards fostering it.

After the Live Wire residency ends, ALE's plans for 2021 include the release of Volume 2 of the Classic City Wax vinyl compilation, an album of protest music by local artists entitled "Now Is the Time: Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater," and a monthly networking event anticipated to begin in August.

Sykes, who came to Athens in 2001 after serving in the United States Marine Corps, is one of the co-founders and standing board members at ALE. Sykes told the Banner-Herald that he has enjoyed seeing the Hip Hop Pit Stop work as a platform for showcasing local artists, and is excited to be part of the finale.

"Everyone in the lineup draws a great crowd," said Sykes. "Whenever ALE throws something big, it's always gonna be dope. We're professionals, but we're also just here to have fun with the audience."

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