arts, books and music

Young musicians expand New Orleans’ hip-hop sound at Buku

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The Buku Music + Art Project took over Mardi Gras World for a 7th year with big national names like Lana Del Ray, Dog Blood, and A$AP Rocky. The lineup, however, did not skimp on local talent across musical styles. Performers like Tristan Dufrene from the Cut Off, Thou and Kevin Gates from Baton Rouge, and $uicideboys from New Orleans, showed how Louisiana creates quality music in many contrasting genres. Malik Ninety Five and James Seville—two 23-year-old rappers from Gentilly New Orleans who also performed at the festival—are striving to show the changing definitions of the city’s hip-hop sound. Malik Ninety Five

Malik Ninety Five, who recently released his first album Tragedy Under the Sun, does not want to be limited by the traditional sound of New Orleans hip-hop.

arts, books and music

Buku Music & Art Festival at Mardi Gras World on Friday and Saturday

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The 2019 Buku Music & Art Festival of electronic, hip-hop and indie rock music is this weekend at Mardi Gras World. The festival runs 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. It will impact the Irish Channel and anyone using Tchoupitoulas Street to go downtown or to the Crescent City Connection. Heavy vehicle traffic may cause delays in neighborhoods surrounding Mardi Gras World. No street closures are anticipated, but traffic congestion is expected along Convention Center Boulevard, Henderson Boulevard, and Tchoupitoulas Street from Orange Street to Calliope Street.

arts, books and music

BUKU 2018 Lineup: MGMT, Bassnectar, SZA and more

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The 2018 BUKU Music + Art Project released the first of three lineup announcements this morning (Nov. 7). Headliners and notable acts include Bassnectar, MGMT, SZA, Alison Wonderlan, Smino, and more. The 2018 festival is scheduled for March 9-10 at Mardi Gras World, 1400 Port of New Orleans Place. Other performers include Isaiah Rashad, Borgore, Sylvan Esso, Flatbush Zombies, Mura Masa, Bishop Briggs, Hippie Sabotage, Honey Dijon, Soulection, CloZee, and Jade Cicada.

arts, books and music

Buku sets the stage for new artists to showcase talent

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The 2017 Buku Music + Art Project came to a close on Saturday, March 11. The annual two-day festival, which takes place at Mardi Gras World on the banks of the Mississippi River, featured local, national, and international acts both large and small. The festival hosted primarily electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop artists, but carved out a set for New Orleans-based rock duo Caddywhompus. According to guitarist Chris Rehm, they like sticking out amongst the other acts in a festival line-up. “We like to have variety, different people coming out for different things.

arts, books and music

Buku Music + Art Project finishes day one (photos)

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The 2017 Buku Music + Art Project held its first day of performances on Friday, March 10 at Mardi Gras World. The day’s performances included rappers Lil Dicky, Lil Yachty and Travi$ Scott, and EDM artists like Zed’s Dead and TroyBoi. New Orleans rapper Juvenile made a surprise appearance after scheduled performer Young Thug was not able to make it to the festival at the last minute.

arts, books and music

BUKU Preview: Ambré Perkins

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R&B Singer and New Orleans native Ambré Perkins will be performing her first festival show and first live performance of 2017 at this year’s BUKU Music + Art Project. Perkins said she looks forward to playing in front a broader audience that may be seeking to hear artists they’ve never known prior. “It’s very open-minded usually,” Perkins said. “So people go there and they’re open to new artists. Actually, that’s probably what they want to see the most, artists that they’ve never heard of and to experience something different.”

In looking to perform at another New Orleans stage for the first time, Perkins said the city musically influences the sounds she picks and the way she approaches melodies and cadences.