Hip-hop’s biggest day in Indianapolis — Chreece — arrives Aug. 29, and it will be one for the history books. Rico Nasty will be the first woman headliner. Michigan City, Indiana’s own Jorjiana and Oakland, California-native Ovrkast round out the top acts.
This is Chreece’s 11th year, and the single-day celebration draws hundreds to Fountain Square, where 70 artists will perform across eight venues. You can check out performance times and locations using this schedule.
You’ll also spot Indianapolis-based veterans like Sirius Blvck, Austin Je, DisTinct and Rusty Redenbacher. Look out for festival newbies like MyNameisChaos, Grandace and D’Vyne.
Last year, on Chreece’s 10th anniversary, we created a timeline that tells the festival’s year-by-year story through memories, photos and videos. Use it to refresh your memory or get familiar with all the moments and musical acts that brought us here.
Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to.
Festival fits
At festivals, fashion is part of the spectacle. The outfits are often just as expressive as the music, with festival goers dressing for a particular vibe. Avant garde silhouettes, crop tops, graphic tees, statement bags, unexpected accessories, denim and upcycled pieces all become part of the visual experience. Even unpredictable weather can feel like a nonfactor in the effort to get a look off.
At my first Chreece in 2024, I interviewed attendees about their outfits, including a local fashion designer carrying a cassette purse and a graphic designer wearing pink graffiti-covered baggy jeans. I’m still finalizing my outfit plans, so stay tuned.
Rico Nasty
The first Rico Nasty song I heard was “Smack A B*tch.” It was my junior year of high school and up until that point I hadn’t heard anything like it before. The song was loud, unnerving and intoxicating. My sisters and I would play the song around our parents and in the car at full volume, daring anyone to disapprove in between our uncontrollable laughs.
I got a chance to watch her perform as an opener on Playboi Carti’s King Vamp tour with some friends at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 2021. I was hoping to see her receive Hoosier hospitality after the cruel treatment she experienced while on tour with Playboi Carti. Luckily, she was given a few roses by the Naptown crowd and had a great set to usher in the second opener, Ken Car$on.
I expect the Chreece crowd will be even more respectful and rap along to her hits in the HI-FI Annex. I’m excited to hear “Poppin,” “Tia and Tamera,” “Dirty” and “Countin’ Up” live. And, of course, some songs from her new album “RX.”
R&B gets to shine
Rap is its own genre, but it has a sacred and foundational relationship with R&B. Think of pretty much any Mary J. Blige feature from the 1990s: Jay Z’s “Can’t Knock the Hustle” and Method Man’s “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By.” Hooks that are etched into your memory.
Though the sonic relationship has tapered off in popularity, the genre’s identity is still important.
I’ll make my way to see the LayLo, rebel noire and the accomplices, Kayliah Love, Tavonne and the Sutherland Collective and Emma Gabriel perform during Chreece.
Rap as a universal language
Rap has taken stars like Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole and Drake all over the world.
At Chreece, not all rappers on stage will do it in English. A few multilingual artists are on my radar after I watched their vignettes on Chreece’s Instagram page.
Audry Funk, Bronx-based and Mexican independent emcee, cruises over reggae, soul, funk, reggaetón and cumbia beats. You can catch her set at the HI-FI Annex.
Don Fuego is an Italian-Moroccan-Belgian rapper and artist based in Belgium. He primarily raps in French, and though I can’t understand what he’s saying, it sounds great. He’ll be playing at the Atomic Bowl.
Lastly, Facevsit (pronounced “Face versus it”) is California through and through. The Los Angeles-based Ecuadorian, independent Latino hip-hop artist and entrepreneur is known for his Spanglish wordplay. He’ll also be playing the Atomic Bowl.
The People’s Village
Every year, local vendors and community organizations set up tents and tables along Virginia Avenue. This year, Chreece’s organizers are taking it up a notch. Festival goers can also check out The People’s Village, a new public gathering space that offers shade, seating and family-friendly activities. It’s open from noon to 8 p.m.
Epicurean Indy will bring its international food festival to the area, featuring over 30 international vendors representing countries including China, Vietnam, Bulgaria and India. Chefs and artists will sell their food, drinks and art to the public.
Mirror Indy will also be among the vendors at The People’s Village, inviting Chreece visitors to subscribe to our newsletters and handing out fans to keep you cool. Stop by and say hello!
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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