Catharsis

San Antonio-based artist Chris Conde‘s love for the artistry of hip-hop began with the slam poetry of Saul Williams. From that pivotal moment in their youth, the spoken word became their medium to express the emotional intensity swelling within, from dealing with rejection and hatred toward their queerness, to drug and alcohol addiction.

Years later, with renewed commitment to recovery and embracing self-acceptance, Conde weaves the rhymes of their experiences as they navigate beyond traditional hip-hop soundscapes. From their 2019 debut Growing Up Gay, to their newest release, the thunderous Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay, the power of the personal narrative resonates as the ultimate healer.

Conde celebrates their new LP with a release show this Saturday, September 18, at The Little Darlin’, 6507 Circle S Rd., with special guests Third Root and DJ Isis Payne. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this free show, and the SIMS Foundation will be on site with information about providing access to mental healthcare and substance abuse services for the Austin music community.