ATL Untrapped: Critic’s Picks for May, 2026

Each month, critic Joshua Robinson surveys a selection of performances that reflect the breadth of Atlanta’s contemporary hip-hop and R&B landscape. May’s picks highlight major touring acts, rising voices and hometown mainstays shaping the current sound of the genre.

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Upcoming Critic’s Picks

CRITIC’S PICK: FattMack

Wed. May 13
FattMack
Center Stage

Throw whatever you think of when you hear about a new rapper coming out of Mobile, Alabama, out the window. FattMack is different. McKenzie “FattMack” Haynes is a 21-year-old artist who follows the Southern Hip-hoptradition of deeply personal lyricism and embraces rap’s current melodic, genre-bending sound. His latest body of work “McKenzie” arrived at the tail-end of 2025, and his upcoming headlining McKenzie Tour, which was supposed to support the project, has already sold out across all 10 dates. Fortunately, resale prices are not too high, so if you want to see the Mobile, Alabama breakout star and potential 2026 XXL Freshman kick off his forthcoming tour at Center Stage, secure your tickets while you still can. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: Don Toliver

Tues. May 19
Don Toliver
State Farm Arena

Cactus Jack signee Don Toliver continues to ascend higher and higher with each new album, and his latest full-length effort, “Octane,” is no different. The Houston-bred singer and rapper’s fifth studio album arrived late January, and it marked his first-ever Billboard 200 chart-topper. Now that fans have had a few months to learn the music, Toliver is embarking on the first phase of his Octane Tour, a 32-date trek across North America with the assistance of two of Atlanta’s most prominent rappers of the decade: Cactus Jack’s SoFayGo and the ever-eclectic SahBabii. Although it takes place before Memorial Day weekend, Don Toliver’s upcoming show at State Farm is the perfect arena tour to kick off the summer, so get your tickets before they sell out. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: Jay Electronica

Thurs. May 21
Jay Electronica
The Loft

Although he signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation back in 2010, critically acclaimed rapper Jay Electronica didn’t really start releasing solo projects until this decade, which he kicked off with the Grammy®-nominated, Jay-Z-assisted “A Written Testimony.” Last fall, Jay Electronica blessed his listeners with even more music, including the three mini albums “A Written Testimony: Leaflets,” “A Written Testimony: Power at the Rate of My Dreams,” and “A Written Testimony: Mars, the Inhabited Planet.” Now, the enigmatic New Orleans artist is on the road for a rare headlining tour, The Nineteen Day Reconnaissance, with opening support from DJ Kelly Green + Landon Wordswell. If you’re a Jay Electronica fan, you will definitely want to be in attendance when the Nineteen Day Reconnaissance Tour hits the Loft on May 21. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: Birthday Bash

Sun. May 24
Birthday Bash
State Farm Arena

Birthday Bash, Atlanta’s annual jam-packed celebration of hip-hop, is back a little earlier than usual this summer, so make sure it’s on your radar for late May rather than early June. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Birthday Bash as well as the 20th anniversary of the iconic Hip-hop movie “ATL,” and that is why perhaps no one is better suited to headline this year’s festivities than Atlanta’s own T.I. In addition to honoring the film in which he starred in alongside Lauren London and Big Boi, T.I. is riding high of the 20th anniversary of fourth studio album, “King,” and his relentless new Pharrell-produced single “LET ‘EM KNOW.” Just in case the opportunity to see T.I. in a landmark year of his career isn’t enough to sway you, Birthday Bash will, of course, feature plenty of local fan-favorites and special guests, including 2 Chainz, Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, Travis Porter, Pastor Troy, YK Neice, and Kilo Ali, among many others. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: Concrete Boys

Tues. May 26
Concrete Boys
Center Stage Theater

Since the start of the 2020s, Lil Yachty has been curating and developing one of Atlanta’s most promising artist collectives for his up-and-coming Concrete Rekordz label, an imprint under Quality Control and HYBE America. Collectively known as Concrete Boys, Yachty’s new rap outfit currently consists of artists Draft Day, Dc2Trill, Camo!, Honest, and Rio Amor, the group’s DJ. Back in March, the surging rap outfit unleashed “It’s Us Vol. 2” before hitting the road for a 27-date North American tour in support of the record. After selling out shows in Atlanta, Toronto, Houston, and Los Angeles, four more dates were added to the tour, including the new grand finale, which will be a much-deserved homecoming stand at Center Stage. Come congratulate the Concrete Boys as they close out a successful tour. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: James Blake

Wed. May 27
James Blake
Tabernacle

We are living in trying times, and many critics, music fans, and artists all have ideas on what the role of an artist is in these moments. Should they switch gears into politically charged music? Or should they provide sonic escapes for listeners who are just trying to get by on a day-to-day basis? Well, James Blake’s newly released seventh studio album — as well as his first-ever independent full length — approaches that issue by just delivering the truth. “Trying Times” is melodic, somber, beautiful, moving, groovy, glitchy, and at times, just straight up weird. It’s an amazing assortment of what has made James Blake so captivating throughout his career, and furthermore, it’s an endearing companion piece to the trying times that we are pushing through every day. His show at the Tabernacle later this month feels mandatory. — Joshua Robinson
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Earlier This Month

CRITIC’S PICK: Kid Cudi

Wed. May 6
Kid Cudi
Lakewood Ampitheatre

Scott Mescudi has been one of hip-hop’s most consistent creative forces since his debut album, “Man on the Moon,” in 2009. Seventeen years later, he is showing no signs of stopping. Less than a year removed from his 11th studio album, “Free,” Cudi is already teasing a new, as-of-yet-untitled record. While the prospect of more new music is surely exciting for fans, the Cleveland, Ohio, native is stoking hype for the project anymore by embarking on a 33-date North American tour with opening support from me n ü, Dot Da Genius, A-Trak, OutKast legend Big Boi, and British singer-activist M.I.A. With a lineup this stacked, ticket prices as low as $32, and an open-air venue as iconic as Lakewood Amphitheatre, Cudder’s forthcoming show “Rebel Ragers” show is a no brainer. — Joshua Robinson
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CRITIC’S PICK: Che

Sat. May 9
Che
Tabernacle

Teenage rap sensation Che is one of the leading voices of hip-hop’s post-Playboi Carti generation. Over the last few years, the Atlanta rapper, producer, and singer-songwriter has been bubbling with projects such as “closed captions,” “Sayso Says,” “Rest In Bass,” and “Rest In Bass: Encore.” All that hard work has earned him a headlining tour powered by Monster Energy. In a couple of weeks, Che’s 28-date Bass Killa Tour will be coming to a close, but not before he hits Atlanta for an exciting night at the Tabernacle. Don’t wait until the 19-year-old phenom fully blows up — see Che’s ascension for yourself. — Joshua Robinson
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For more critic-recommended concerts, performances and cultural events, explore CL Recommends.

Explore more:
• Music Critic’s Picks
• More from Joshua Robinson
• All CL Recommends