With 2023’s SXSW events officially behind us, it’s time to look back on all the madness, chaos, and (above all) fun that went down in Austin, Texas last week. And no shortage of those memorable moments came via Fresh Pair co-host and all-around icon, Just Blaze. Backed by Twelve Rivers Realty and the video game company he cofounded, Brass Lion, Just went all-in this year with a four-day, three-night takeover of Native Hostel, including a live taping of UPROXX’s Fresh Pair with co-host Katty Customs and Texas hip-hop legend Bun B, sponsored by our partners Los Siete Misterios mezcal, STEPN, and WAGMI Beach.
Night one of the takeover opened with Just Blaze throwing a party in the Native Hostel ballroom which quickly turned into one of those nights that feels like it only happens in the movies. Over the course of more than seven hours (!!!), the superproducer was joined on stage by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli, Bun B, Redman, Jadakiss, Freeway, Beanie Seigel, and eventually even Dave Chappelle.
I mean… just look at this scene:
Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to be there that night? Who wouldn’t have been geeked when Dave Chappelle pushed away his (incredibly tough-looking bodyguards) and waded into the crowd for photos? Or when Redman came out spitting absolute fire with the same intensity and speed he had on his fastball in ’99?
The next day, Native Hostel, Brass Lion, and Twelve Rivers hosted Fresh Pair for their first on-the-road live taping, sponsored by Los Siete Misterios mezcal and STEPN. Katty Customs brought some killer fits to present to Bun B while he opened up about everything from his early hits to working with Jay-Z. That taping was followed by a cocktail party hosted by Los Siete Misterios who also set up a tasting table to sample their full line of mezcals while DJ Buck Rodgers spun and scratched, the crowd danced, and tacos circulated.
Later that night, Blaze hosted another party at Native Hostel’s Ballroom, inviting DJ Natasha Diggs and L3ni of Soul in the Horn with a late-night appearance by special guest DJ Pee Wee (you know, Anderson .Paak) to close out the evening.
Photos from the live taping of Fresh Pair:
