KEXP at Iceland Airwaves, Day 2: Emmsjé Gauti

Next on the KEXP broadcast live from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is the boss MC of Iceland, Emmsjé Gauti. The stage name for Icelandic rapper Gauta Þeyr Mássonar) Emmsjé Gauti is reigning king of Iceland’s burgeoning hip hop scene. Though he’s only in his mid-twenties, he’s been rapping for half his life, cutting his chops in Reykjavik’s small competitive rap scene. He’s also a member of Icelandic rap groups 32c and Skábræður. He released his first song in 2002, but didn’t release his debut album Bara Ég until 2010. Poppy and humorous, the record had a very positive reception, and Emmsjé Gauti was even named best rapper in Iceland that year. His second album, ÞEYR, released in 2013, was a darker, more mature effort, showcasing the personal and artistic growth of the young rapper.

"Intro," from his more recent album ÞEYR opened the set with a chiming clock, diving into atmospheric backing music and dropping into super heavy beats. A skilled rapper, Gauti was spitting lightning fast rhymes before surprising us with heavy metal guitars. "Kinky" opens with auto-tuned vocals and a Bollywood-like feel interspersed with dub guitars.

This is a big production, with a variety of instruments and unique genre blends. Gauti himself is a hurricane onstage, moving almost as quickly as he raps, jumping on furniture, expressive in his interactions with the crowd and his band.

"Party Like It's Your Birthday" had more of a gangster rap vibe, with heavy drops and frantic, rapid rapping. "Strákernir," Gauti's recent single, had heavy guitars reminiscent of post rock, and a sing along from the crowd. It was definitely the biggest hit of the set.

"Nýju fötin keisarans" had a pulsing, electronic start interspersed with punching drums, dropping into heavy rock guitars with hints of metal and shoegaze. There was tons of movement onstage, with tons of exuberance from the band, and Gauti himself putting his whole body into windmill-smashing one of the drummer's cymbals. He finished his set with "Annakin" which begins with droning synths, maintaining under the heavy post-rock guitars.

Closing the night is Icelandic electro band GusGus, live at 1:30 PM PST/4:30 PM EST. Watch live here!