There are massive festivals, and then there is Sziget festival in Budapest, Hungary. For six days every August, the leafy and breezy Old Buda Island welcomes more than 400,000 party-goers who are there to live in the moment and dance like there is no tomorrow on its 266 acres. While a lot of people come to see big-name headliners like David Guetta, Diplo, Macklemore, or Florence and the Machine, there are more than 50 stages at Sziget, which means there is something for everyone.

LiFTED spent a good part of a week at Sziget, and got to check out a wide range of acts, including one of our favorites [and LiFTED 50 member], Kazuo. The Japanese-American MC said he was nervous before his set, but it didn’t seem like it once he hit the stage. As a solo performer at the dropYard Stage by Bolt, which was where a lot of the Hip Hop for the festival was, Kazuo held it down like a veteran and played mostly new songs from his just-released album KAMI!

Kazuo reps Japan, but he’s also spent a lot of time in New York City, so as soon as he steps on stage, you can feel the Hip Hop bursting out of him. Highlights included ‘BANZAI!’ for his double-time raps and crowd participation, as well as ‘METROCARD!’ where he talks about getting over by skipping turnstiles. Overall, Kazuo was happy his music sounded so good on the big speakers since he did all his mastering, and by the end of the show, a respectable crowd was there to enjoy his feel-good energy.

Kazuo said, “I went from small open mics in New York City, clubs in Tokyo, to now performing at a huge music festival in Europe! I can’t believe this is my life!”

While this was Kazuo’s first festival show, it definitely won’t be his last.

Check out Kazuo’s album KAMI! below.