Justice-impacted artists performing at SXSW Music Festival this week

Every year the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, features some of the best new artists from around the country—and around the world. Performing at this year’s festival are several artists with lived experience of the criminal legal system in this country. Here’s a look at those artists:

Consumables
“Consumables are a raucous NYC-based art punk quartet with philosophical ambitions. Their debut album, Infinite Games, is colorful and exploratory, all the while remaining conceptually focused on themes of alienation and the search for control amid waves of randomness and disorder. The band is made up of Kyle Crew (vocals, guitar), Miles Fox (vocals,bass, synth) Hector Guillen (drums), and Dylan Joyce (guitar).

“Consumables are known for their explosive live performances. Crew is tall, confident, observant, like a watchtower atop a stage where everyone and everything is moving. This commanding presence translates to the album’s rollicking opening track, ‘Keys to the Cell,’ a reflection on Crew’s six month incarceration in an Arkansas jail on pot charges. This song is raw and optimistic, reveling in possibilities and horizons. It lays down the aesthetic gauntlet for what’s to come: ‘screaming sirens came and went / everything’s a game of chance.’ What follows is a smartly sequenced collection of thematically bound rippers pulling from post punk, synth-pop, garage, psych, and classic American indie.”

E.i. the King
“E.i. the King’s life is a testament to transformation and redemption. Emerging from a past filled with crime, drug dealing, robberies, and violence, E.i.’s early years were marked by chaos and over 14 years of incarceration in both juvenile and adult facilities. Yet, it was during his time behind bars that E.i.’s life changed forever. Encountering God and committing to a life of faith, he discovered purpose in the midst of imprisonment.

“Now a nationally recognized artist, E.i. the King uses his music and story to inspire others, focusing on prison, jail, and street outreach. Known as one of the most influential voices in the prison system through inmate tablets, E.i. has collaborated with icons like Project Pat, earned a public cosign from Timbaland, and empowers the same street culture from which he came. His incredible comeback story continues to resonate, proving that change is possible and purpose can be found in the most unexpected places.”

Yoshi Vintage
“Angel Miller, known as Yoshi Vintage, is a rising Hip-Hop artist from Flint, Michigan. She’s been performing since age 8, impressing American Idol judge Randy Jackson, who called her a future ‘beast.’ Inspired by her incarcerated brother’s rap dreams, Yoshi carries his legacy while representing Flint. After a close friend’s passing, she made the bold move to Los Angeles, arriving homeless but determined. A chance to rap for Post Malone sparked momentum, leading her to connect with industry figures like Tiz, Python P, and Northstar. In 2018, she signed with Pakk Music Group, earning co-signs from Ab-Soul, Rapsody, and Punch (TDE). Her project 48458 pays homage to her Michigan roots, and her single ‘Alpha’ showcases her creative direction. With a raw, gritty sound reflecting her experiences with homelessness and gang violence, Yoshi continues to build her fanbase. She has performed nationwide, appeared on Revolt TV, and was recently featured on Netflix’s Rhythm and Flow (Season 2).”

Zayytee
“Zayytee is an up-and-coming artist hailing from El Paso, Texas, whose raw and unfiltered lyricism reflects the depth of his journey. Known for his sharp punchlines and intricate metaphors, Zayytee uses his music to share his testimony, candidly exploring the struggles he’s faced with addiction, incarceration, and the countless trials that have shaped him.

“His style is a fusion of vulnerability and authenticity, delivering powerful messages that resonate with anyone who’s ever faced hardship or fought to overcome their circumstances. With a deep-rooted connection to his Texas roots, Zayytee is committed to representing the Lone Star State as a true emcee who stays loyal to his craft and himself.

“Zayytee’s mission is clear: to leave an indelible mark on the hip hop world, not only as a skilled lyricist but as an artist who never compromised his truth. His resilience shines through every track, making him a voice that speaks to the heart of the struggle and the power of staying authentic, no matter the odds.”