JMBLYA 2017 RECAP

The highly anticipated JMBLYA music festival, put on by Scoremore Shows, took place this past weekend at the Circuit of the Americas race track in Austin, Texas. Only 5 years from its infancy, JMBLYA has officially risen to the upper echelon of festivals, garnering the attention of Central Texas hip hop concert go-ers and selling out both its Dallas and Austin shows with a total attendance of 50,000 people. This remarkable result was due in large part to the big ticket names on this year’s lineup as well as many up-and coming artists. The event was headlined by three time Grammy award winning artist Chance the Rapper who won Best Rap Album and Best New Artist followign the success of this critically-acclaimed mixtape, Coloring Book. Other notable names were DJ/Producer and founder of Dim Mak Steve Aoki, Gucci Mane aka “Guwop”, and chart topping rap group Migos.

The show kicked off with some good performances by R&B Rising Artist 6lack, Memphis-based rapper Young Dolph, DFW’s own Snow tha product, rapper/singer/songwriter Pell and DJ Mr. Rodgers. Atlanta-based hip-hop artist YFN Lucci, who was scheduled to perform at this event, was a no show. Out of the day time performances, Lil Uzi Vert gave the most spirited and daring performance, at one point climbing the stage pillars in the middle of his performance. Migos came up next and performed many hit songs from their recently released album Culture, most notably the song “Bad and Boujee” which lit the crowd on fire.

As the night went on, the sun went down giving the crowd a break from the heat and allowing the magnitude and visual experience of the stage to really take hold. Chance The Rapper gave an intimate, exciting and almost church-like performance, going back to some of his most notable songs from all his past mixtapes and pausing intermittently to explain his thoughts to the crowd and get them involved. Steve Aoki brought a different dynamic as the only EDM artist on the lineup and left his mark with his signature caking of fans. Many of this year’s artists have collaborated with one another in the past which offered many opportunities for joint performances. Migos were present in both Steve Aoki and Gucci Mane’s sets and Steve Aoki remixed various artist songs into his set. Gucci Mane surprised the crowd by bringing out Houston rap legend Bun B..

The event in Austin also saw a few Austin-based celebs including Vince Young, former National Championship Quarterback for the University of Texas. Also in attendance was UT alum and Indiana Pacers Forward Myles Turner. What happened offstage at JMBLYA has caught a lot of attention on the internet as Chance the Rapper, Quavo and Offset from Migos, Myles Turner, and a few more played a game of knockout basketball backstage as a crowd gathered and figures around $100k were being thrown out.
Overall the lineup was dynamic and well blended, with each artists offering a unique and exciting experience. The JMBLYA pulled off a unique and exciting event that will surely have fans excited to return in 2018.