The New York rapper whips his three-foot-long glow-in-the-dark hair back and forth during a short but memorable set at NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's in Austin, Texas. Watch the entire performance.

You can downloadit for free on his Soundcloud page.">

Le1f's new mixtape is called Fly Zone. You can downloadit for free on his Soundcloud page.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

With his braids flying through the UV light, Le1f was the perfect follow to Karen O's performance on the Stubb's mainstage.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

His 3-foot blond extensions didn't stay in a bun for long.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

Strike the pose.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

New York rapper Le1f (pronounced "Leaf") performed on the indoor stage at NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's in Austin.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

Le1f was equal parts rapper and dancer during his short set.

Adam Kissick / for NPR

Le1f performs at NPR Music's 2013 SXSW Showcase at Stubb's.

Adam Kissick for NPR

Backed by only a DJ, New York rapper Le1f and his three-foot blond braids proved an apt counterpart to Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O, who'd finished performing on the nearby Stubb's main stage just minutes earlier. He performed with confidence, command and occasionally avant-garde fearlessness, but also kept an eye trained on a desire to entertain, above all else.

A rapper whose boundless, arty individuality pops out over every jittery beat, Le1f stands out in virtually every possible way: He punctuates his dextrous, funny flow with growls, squeaks and bits of joyful conversation. He whips his glow-in-the-dark hair back and forth, and moves on stage like a dancer — all lithe, coiled energy and imminent shirtlessness, with aggression that never overwhelms his playful demeanor.

Credits

Producers: Mito Habe-Evans, Robin Hilton, Amy Schriefer; Technical Director: Kevin Wait; Event Coordinator: Saidah Blount; Assistant Producer: Denise DeBelius; Videographers: Christopher Farber, Katie Hayes Luke, A.J. Wilhelm; Audio Engineering by Metro Mobile; Production Assistants: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Ryan Smith; Special Thanks to: Stubb's and South By Southwest; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

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