Rakim To Perform @ AC3 Festival In Atlanta

“Considered by many to be the greatest rapper of all time, Rakim’s hip-hop legacy is bulletproof. Scores of MCs have come and gone in his time — in fact, a whole generation has come and gone since his last album, 1999′s The Master. After more than a half-decade of delays, his long-expected work The Seventh Seal is finally due Nov. 17, according to the rapper’s camp. (Fans have every reason to be skeptical of that date, but we got Only Built For Cuban Linx…Pt. II so anything’s possible, right?)

In its efforts to become “the South by Southwest of the hip-hop industry” (in the words of organizer Brian Knott), the event has expanded its size and scope for its fifth year. It now features nine stages over three nights, plus graphic arts, film and fashion events.

The musical lineup is heavily weighted toward both old-school artists such as DJ Premier, Diamond D and Buckshot, and those with the old-school mentality, including People Under The Stairs, Kidz In the Hall and 9th Wonder. Being that rap festivals tend to focus either on what’s very current or what’s very old, A3C should compellingly split the difference.

Rakim promises to perform both old tracks and new ones, but he remains concerned with being relegated to hip-hop’s oldies circuit. Though he identifies with the true school tag, he bristles at being characterized as old school. “I know I’ve been out for a while, but I feel that what I’m spittin’ is today,” he says. “I don’t feel that it’s old school. I feel I can be just as futuristic as any other rapper that’s out today.”- Creative Loafing