SXSW Day 5: A Legendary Finale

SXSW 2025 wrapped up its final day with a lineup that delivered nonstop energy and unforgettable moments. From AJ McQueen’s soul to Samara Cyn and Anycia’s ferocity, the Future of Music showcase set the stage for a thrilling close. Headliner Rema brought the house down with his bass-heavy Afrowave sound, while Houston legends closed out the night at Stubb’s ending the festival on a legendary night.

Selena Y Los Dinos Documentary Screening

Selena Quintanilla didn’t just break barriers—she shattered them, paving the way for both biracial artists and women in Latin music. While the Queen of Tejano already has a blockbuster movie and a hit TV show to her name, Selena Y Los Dinos dives deeper, offering an intimate look at her life through never-before-seen footage and heartfelt interviews. Told through the eyes of her loving family and bandmates, the film traces Selena’s journey from childhood prodigy to Cumbia icon, revealing the woman behind the spotlight. Tears were shed and hearts were full during this emotional screening—don’t miss the Netflix premiere coming soon!

FLOODfest

FLOODfest marked its 10th anniversary in style, bringing together a powerhouse lineup of this year’s SXSW standouts like Jasmine 4.t, U.S. Girls, Gurriers, and Cardinals—plus a show-stopping set from the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Over the past week, these artists have delivered standout performances, but FLOODfest tied it all together, serving festival-goers a rich and diverse musical feast. Even technical hiccups couldn’t derail the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who left the crowd speechless with jaw-dropping solos that proved nothing can stop them from bringing down the house.

Future of Music

Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase concluded SXSW 2025 with an incredible finale. AJ McQueen opened the event with his soulful lyrics, followed by Samara Cyn and Anycia, who energized the crowd and made it impossible for anyone to stay still. The headliner, Rema, took the stage with a bass-heavy performance that had everyone dancing to the entrancing Afrobeats.

AJ McQueen

AJ McQueen, the Midwestern rapper who “makes music for your soul,” opened the Future of Music hip-hop and R&B showcase with a mix of lyrical mastery and spiritual energy. His laidback beats and “god-body” vibe had the crowd locked in from the start. “I make soul music,” he said, “I give the people what they need—to make a better world. I don’t degrade women in my music. I speak life. And I rap good.” McQueen’s mission to uplift and heal through music and faith flowed through his performance of “Be Light” and “4:44 in Houston” from his latest album, Sorry Ma, I Was Distracted.

Samryn Cyn

L.A.-based rapper from Tennessee, Samara Cyn, took the stage shortly after McQueen, showcasing her latest album The Drive Home, about Cyn’s nomadic existence and open lifestyle. “What better way to tell my story than to start at the beginning,” Cyn said as she introduced the freestyle that started it all, “Green Eyes”. The rapper showcased her soothing soft voice on the track “Sinner” and “Rolling Stone”.

Anycia

After a fiery warm-up from DJ and producer Yo Bosco, Atlanta rapper Anycia stormed the stage with her razor-sharp lyricism, dropping bangers like “BACK OUTSIDE” and the viral TikTok hit “So What.” Her infectious energy lit up the crowd as she fired off quick-witted jokes and playful tangents, keeping everyone on their toes. One lucky fan even got the mic, rapping along with Anycia like they were part of the set. Both Samara Cyn and Anycia hyped up the night’s headliner, with Anycia teasing that fans might just “catch her in the crowd” during Rema’s set.

Rema

An electrifying intro clip hyped up the crowd before Nigerian sensation Rema, declaring “Africa is the future of music because it’s unique and it knows no boundary”. Rema, the first Black African solo artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone — and the first Afrobeats act to claim that honor — lived up to the moment. The nearly sold-out ACL Live erupted as Rema unleashed a wave of bass-heavy Afrowave, turning the venue into a full-blown dance party. he crowd was on their feet, vibing to hits like “Soundgasm“, “March Am“, the throwback “Dumebi” and of course his chart-topping anthem, “Calm Down“. It was the perfect high-energy finale to a week of unforgettable music.

Houston Legends

What better way to close out the week than with a taste of home? Houston legends took over Stubb’s for the Made From Scratch: Double Cup Edition show, hosted by Propain, delivering one last hit of H-Town heat before heading back. The lineup was stacked—DJ X.O., Erica Banks, Slim Thug, and Z-Ro brought the house down as the crowd threw up their H’s in tribute. The showcase featured tracks from Double Cup, the latest album packed with Houston royalty like Propain, Slim Thug, Lil Keke, That Mexican OT, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, and more.

As the final beats faded and the crowd dispersed, SXSW 2025 ended on a high, leaving behind a week of unforgettable performances and musical discoveries. From rising stars to legendary acts, the festival once again proved why it’s the heartbeat of the music world. Make sure to check out the rest of the festival coverage here.