Kendrick Lamar – 2013 SXSW Must-See Artists

SXSW has a ton of hip-hop artists on the schedule, but if you can only see one, why not check out the best? Newcomer Kendrick Lamar topped MTV's annual Hottest MCs in the Game list, beating out established veterans like Nas, Drake and Kanye West.

Lamar has been praised for his thoughtful and creative lyrics and a heavy dose of soulful backing music, as heard in 'Poetic Justice,' a song the Aftermath Records artist performed with a full band on both 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Late Show With David Letterman.'

The 25-year-old created a lot of buzz for himself at last year's SXSW, so this year's appearance could be viewed as a victory lap for the rapper, whose debut 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' debuted at No. 2 in October. Lamar has three shows lined up in Austin on March 13, 15 and 16.

Watch Kendrick Lamar Perform 'Poetic Justice'