Cory Graves
This Week, Lecrae Rose Up.
Each week, we take a survey of the local music scene and try to determine which acts in town are really putting in work and seeing it pay off. Which bands have the most intriguing shows coming up? Which bands are getting the most press around town? Which bands have accomplished the most notable feats of late? Based off these criteria, our music writers submit a list to be weighted and compiled into a master list revealed each week in this here space. We like to think it's fairly revealing. Check out our previous Buzz Rankings here.
While there are plenty of folks out there still trying to figure out whether Lecrae is a quote-unquote Christian rapper or just a rapper that happens to be Christian, the one thing that is certain is that the locally-tied artist is hip-hop's undisputed king at the moment.
And, just after selling 1.4 million copies of his latest record in just a few weeks' time, Lecrae returns to town for a performance at Verizon Theatre this Saturday night as this week's reigning Buzz Rankings champ, too. It marks the first time he's landed in the top spot — and, more impressive, just the second time he's ever appeared anywhere in our rankings since we've been keeping track.
Just behind the rapper is local hard rock trio The Phuss, which will this week release its third full-length. Aside from a couple of favorable reviews for that album, the band played a couple Dallas shows this week, including Sunday's turn at Index Festival and tonight's tour kickoff show at Three Links.
Speaking of Index Festival, several acts earned their spots in this week's rankings after appearing at that one. Some of those include Sudie, Sam Lao, Bummer Vacation, Son of Stan, Bethan, Booty Fade and Oil Boom, just to name a few.
Other big performances this week include Sarah Jaffe's upcoming appearance at this weekend's Smoked festival, Rigor Mortis and Jenny Robinson's respective album release shows, Erykah Badu's guest spot at an OutKast show last weekend and The Riverboat Gamblers' turn at the Double Wide's big anniversary shindig this weekend.
Elsewhere, The Outfit released a new video, Neon Indian turned in a TED Talk, Kelli Douglas became the fourth North Texan selected to compete on the current season of The Voice, Sara Hickman joined the North Oak Cliff Music Festival lineup and most everybody else was nominated in some form or fashion in this year's Dallas Observer Music Awards.
(Also receiving votes this week: Somebody's Darling, Daniel Markham, Cleanup, Buffalo Black, A.Dd+, Goodnight Ned, TEAM*, J. Rhodes, Patriot, Wild Party, Casey Donahew Band, Gabriel Mendoza, Blessin', Larry g(EE), Blake Ward, Datahowler, Dark Rooms, Sugarfoote and Company, Pinkish Black, Northern National, Moonbather, Fou, Matt Hillyer, Orgullo Primitivo, Plunge, Nite, Lily Taylor, Lord Byron, Bad Mountain, Dustin Cavazos, Power Trip, War Party, Gollay.)
