David Shabani

Part of SXSW 2023

This event took place on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:45 PM UTC.

Venue: Empire Control Room. Born to Congolese parents in Paris, Shabani immigrated to Canada before launching alternative hip-hop artistry in Texas. In an area where the music culture is expansive and rapidly accelerating, Shabani’s sound keeps pace by blending compellingly personal lyrics with high-energy backbeats and the smoothness of soul and R&B. The result dually satisfies the late night thrill seeker with club pounding rhythms, and the idle listener with lyrics that flow in a story-like format. Influenced by Kid Cudi, Kaytranada, Lupe Fiasco, and Childish Gambino, Shabani identifies with the outsiders of hip-hop. The independent artist has more than 50 original songs available on all major music platforms and has established himself with appearances at iconic festivals like SXSW, ESPN X Games, and So What Music Festival, and performances at home and abroad supporting artists like Ashanti, Shwayze, D Smoke, Black Joe Lewis and more with his band, The Nu Leopards – a name that pays tribute to Shabani’s Congolese roots.