Lyric League Cypher Brings Austin Hip-Hop Together for Big Mic

On August 15 2026, CHHK and The Punchline Academy brought the Lyric League Cypher to Flamingo Cantina in Austin, powered by Shade 45. The night ended up meaning a lot more than just another hip-hop show. The event was dedicated to the late Big Mic, co-founder and leader of CHHK (College of Hip Hop Knowledge), who helped put the event together before his passing.

I got there a little late, and Born Soul was already onstage going crazy in the cypher. Right away, I could tell what type of night it was. This wasn't a room where you could hide behind a catchy hook, these were real lyricists.

Throughout the night I caught quick freestyle performances from artists like Ideal Collective, MC Spy and Kizer. Spy and Kizer, who perform together as Bad Newz Bexarz, had some hilarious punchlines and great chemistry. Kizer was also going back and forth between DJing and performing, which was impressive to watch. The entire night felt like an Austin hip-hop reunion. I ran into people I've known from different eras of the scene, including my homie and ATX rap veteran NuffxSaid, who I hadn't seen in a while. There were artists, supporters and people who have been part of Austin hip-hop for years all under one roof.

Now, I do have to say this...it was hot as balls inside Flamingo Cantina. There were also a lot of cords across the stage, and I saw a few artists almost trip over them. Hopefully that's something they can tighten up next time. Those were really small complaints compared to how good the night was overall.

The most important part of the show came when CHHK took the stage with The Dropouts band. Evita made sure everybody hanging outside knew they needed to get their asses back inside, because this set was for Big Mic.

At the front of the venue, there was a memorial table filled with pictures of him and a place for people to donate to his family. I also saw people hugging and crying who appeared to be family members or close loved ones.

Once CHHK started performing, you could really feel his presence. They had one of Big Mic's fitted hats hanging from a microphone stand. When his part came in the music, they just let the beat ride as if he was there in the physical still. That was powerful. Even though Big Mic wasn't physically there, his energy was definitely in the building.

The rest of CHHK stepped up and delivered a great performance. Mic Trey stood out to me as one of the stronger lyricists in the group, and Big Tree immediately commanded the crowd with his energy. J Sun was rocking the blinged out CHHK chain, and it was shining hard on stage. The group has a lot of different styles and personalities inside the group, which is part of what makes them interesting. I might even go as far as calling CHHK the Wu-Tang Clan of Austin. Not because they sound like Wu-Tang, but because everybody brings something different to the table while still feeling like one unit.

Casino ATX wasn't able to make the show, which gave Evita a chance to joke that maybe he got taken out by some Taco Bell lettuce. Even during an emotional night, there were still moments of laughter and celebration. That's what I appreciated most about the event. It didn't feel like everybody was just there to mourn Big Mic, It felt like everybody was there to celebrate what he built.

I can speak personally about the type of opportunities Big Mic created. I once had a conversation with him about wanting to get involved with an event as a judge. He didn't just tell me he'd keep me in mind, he actually made it happen and gave me the opportunity to guest judge alongside Casino ATX and audio engineer Abstract. That always stuck with me. Big Mic was somebody you could tell what you were trying to do, and if he saw a way to open a door for you, he would. CHHK has been creating those types of opportunities for Austin artists for years through shows, community events, back-to-school drives and more. Bringing something connected to Shade 45 and SiriusXM to Austin through the Lyric League Cypher was another example of that.

I stayed at the event as long as I could. I probably missed the first hour and the last 30 minutes, so this isn't meant to be a full play-by-play of the night, just my experience. From what I saw, it was a great night for Austin hip-hop.

I hope the Lyric League comes back. I hope CHHK keeps pushing forward. And most importantly, I hope they continue creating the type of opportunities Big Mic clearly cared about providing. I'm pretty sure he's proud of what happened inside Flamingo Cantina that night.

LONG LIVE BIG MIC!

-Derek "D-Sick" Moore

Rap Nerd Media

Check out CHHK: https://www.chhk512.com/

Learn more about the Punchline Academy: https://www.thepunchlineacademy.com/