Wondering who to see? Looking for a approach to keep away from the wooks? New Times could not be capable of assist with that latter concern, however we’ll greater than oblige for the previous. As the crusty raver lots put together to descend upon Sunshine Grove, scope out our picks for the perfect acts at Okeechobee Music & Art Festival 2023.
Baby Keem
He could also be Kendrick Lamar’s protégé, however there’s far more to Baby Keem than that. The LA rapper’s 2021 album, The Melodic Blue, was a success with critics, and he even gave King Kendrick a run for his cash on ferocious tracks similar to “Range Brothers” and “Family Ties,” which comprises at least three beat switches and gained a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance” final yr. Okeechobee is often fairly good at placing on rising rap acts, and none are rising sooner than Keem. 9:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, on the Be stage.
Big Boi
It’s Big Boi. He was one half of Outkast. If you missed them on their high-profile reunion tour practically ten years in the past, which is able to in all probability by no means occur once more given Andre 3000’s emotions on the matter, that is the subsequent smartest thing. It’s not simply the subsequent smartest thing however a terrific factor in and of itself. Despite not releasing an album for a number of years now (his final was 2017’s Boomiverse), Big Boi’s catalog of hits and options is deep. He will play “The Way You Move,” on the very least. Get able to encounter a hip-hop legend. 7:50 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on the Be stage.
Coki
There’s the dubstep you already know — the Americanized, EDM-ified, Skrillex/Zeds Dead/Illenium variety. Then there’s the unique variety. Fashioned by the producers of South London to mirror their environment, UK dubstep is darker and extra atmospheric however simply as bass-heavy, and Coki is certainly one of its chief practitioners. One a part of the legendary Digital Mystikz with Mala, who collectively created the style’s greatest-ever tune, “Anti War Dub,” Coki can also be accountable for the scene’s most iconic tracks, together with the earth-shaking “Spongebob.” When you come out of a set by this legendary producer-DJ, you will have a complete new perspective on a large style. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on the Aquachobee stage.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Some musicians transcend time and area and enter one other dimension of cool completely. Earth, Wind & Fire are a kind of acts. Your mother and father cherished them. Your grandparents in all probability cherished them, too. Now it is your flip. How are you able to deny the band’s cosmic disco-funk energy? The hits depend themselves: “September,” “Fantasy,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “After The Love Has Gone,” and “Let’s Groove.” If you miss this efficiency, you’ll remorse it endlessly. 9:20 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on the Be stage.
JPEGMafia
Hip-hop can be in a greater place if extra rappers had been as unapologetically themselves as JPEGMafia. This is a man that has launched covers of “Call Me Maybe,” a tune referred to as “I Might Vote For Donald Trump” in 2016, an album titled All My Heroes Are Cornballs that begins off with a harsh noise interlude — you get the image. What we are able to count on from this unpredictable artist is power, particularly on drum-‘n’-bass-sampling tracks like “BALD!” throughout his dwell efficiency. 8:45 p.m. Sunday, March 5, on the Now stage.
Lil Yachty
A couple of quick months in the past, Lil Yachty boldly, heroically did the not possible: He took the wock to Poland. No one anticipated it. No one requested for it. No one even knew they needed it, that it was even essential. But he did it anyway. The wock… to Poland. Then, late final month, he doubled down on this unpredictable streak by dropping a psychedelic rock album with a horrific AI-generated album cowl. And it was really type of good? Well, Anthony Fantano (AKA the Needle Drop) preferred it, a minimum of. Honestly, the rapper swerves when others drive straight. It simply begs the query: What will he do subsequent? 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, on the Be stage.
Nia Archives
One of the enjoyable new faces of jungle that is been taking on TikTok, Nia Archives might be ruff, however she can be candy, with high-energy membership bangers like “Baianá” and a mix of R&B with the hyperactive style on “Forbidden Feelingz.” Her nostalgic but up to date tackle the uptempo style has earned her loads of acclaim, together with DJ Mag‘s coveted “Best Breakthrough DJ” award. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, on the Here stage.
Princess Nokia
“With my little titties and my fats stomach/I may take your man should you finna let me.” We are a number of years from that bracing, humorous declaration of female energy and physique positivity. However, Princess Nokia’s phrases in “Tomboy” nonetheless really feel as daring as they did in 2016. The New York City-bred rapper preceded a wave of daring feminine voices in hip-hop, together with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, whereas taking affect from the likes of Nicki Minaj and Azalea Banks. Yet in a now-crowded subject, she continues to refine her personal distinctive voice on albums like 2020’s double-pack Everything is Beautiful and Everything Sucks and her upcoming EP i really like you however that is goodbye. 8:45 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on the Now stage.
Sama’ Abdulhadi
Originating from Ramallah, Sama’ Abdulhadi lived her youth on the mercy of the Israeli Occupation Forces, rising from the wrestle to turn out to be one of the crucial in-demand DJs on the earth and a beacon of Palestinian artistry. Now based mostly in France, she detailed in a current DJ Mag profile how techno allowed her to channel her anger and trauma, saying, “Techno saved me.” Her bracing tackle the style would possibly prevent, too. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on the Jungle 51 stage.
Turnstile
Last yr, Turnstile blew the fuck up. After a strong decade of grinding within the hardcore punk scene, they skilled one thing loads of bands covet, and few obtain: outrageous success on their very own phrases. The band’s fourth album, Glow On, gained rave evaluations and led to packed exhibits from Brooklyn to Milwaukee and Orlando. Turnstile even acquired a Grammy nomination, remarkable for a band of their style. Okeechobee is your probability to see the band of the second. 7:40 p.m. Sunday, March 5, on the Be stage.
Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival. Thursday, March 2, via Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Sunshine Grove, 12517 NE 91st Ave., Okeechobee; okeechobeefest.com. Tickets price $349 to $2,979.