Source: Indian Country Today Media Network
It was a massive competition between the best new hip hop acts from New York and L.A., and when all was said and done it was LightningCloud — a Native act from the left coast — who reigned supreme.
The finale took place at South by Southwest, the entertainment-industry mega-event that descends upon Austin, Texas annually and which concluded on Sunday night. On Friday, LightningCloud, the delegate from Los Angeles as selected by hip hop radio station Power 106, faced Brooklyn product Radamiz, who had earned his spot in the finals by winning the contest held by New York’s Hot 97.
The matchup was decided by text voting on Friday, and LightningCloud were announced as the winners following a performance by hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar. For their victory, the group, which consists of MC Redcloud, Crystle Lightning, and DJ Hydroe, will open for Lamar on tour, and received a cash prize of $10,000.
LightningCloud were one of several Native acts to play during South by Southwest — as detailed at AboriginalMusicWeek.ca, the list also included A Tribe Called Red, Samantha Crain, Angel Haze, and Yelawolf.
Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/03/18/lightning-cloud-win-battle-best-south-southwest-148235