South By was pretty much in full swing by Wednesday. There wasn't much happening in the morning so we caught up with Mobb Deep for an interview in the afternoon and then Adam and I headed Downtown where we planned to connect with Slaughterhouse and Machine Gun Kelly before the S.O.B.'s 30-year Anniversary Showcase that night.—Carl Chery (@cchery)

Wednesday March 14, 2012... 6:29 p.m.

After being stuck in traffic for nearly an hour, we finally made it to the Belmont and caught up with 2012 Freshman MGK.

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Wednesday March 14, 2012... 6:52 p.m.
We caught up with Slaughterhouse minutes before their soundcheck. We then went upstairs and interviewed Trae Tha Truth and Machine Gun Kelly.

Wednesday March 14, 2012... 8:00 p.m.
Word spreads that the Illmore Mansion is hosting dope after parties all week. Adam makes a quick phone call and we head there to pick up some wristbands. Shouts to Sascha Stone.

Wednesday March 14, 2012... 8:05 p.m.
On my way out I spot MC Hammer in the crowd. I go after him for a photo, but he mysteriously vanishes. I text Royce Da 5'9" and Crooked I's manager, Kino, and write: "I just saw Hammer at the Belmont. You guys are bringing him out during "Hammer Dance? lol"

Wednesday March 14, 2012... 8:10 p.m.
Kino calls me and asks, "Where'd you hear that about Hammer?" I explain that I saw him and just put two and two together. It turns out Slaughterhouse actually is planning to bring the legendary rapper out.

Wednesday March 14, 2012... 11:46 p.m.
By the time we get back to the Belmont, the place is at capacity. We bump into Kevin Delaney and Yelawolf 2.0 from Young & Reckless apparel.

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Thursday March 15, 2012... 12:19 a.m.
Miguel is the last of several singers to perform during the R&B portion of the night. His performance is just awkward and the audience—who mainly came to Belmont to see the likes of Slaughterhouse and 2 Chainz—look at him with raised eyebrows.

Thursday March 15, 2012... 1:45 a.m.
I get tipped that 2 Chainz is set to bring out Kanye West as a special guest. I still have a few minutes before his set is scheduled to start so Alicia from Reebok and I head to the green room upstairs to charge our phones.

Thursday March 15, 2012... 1:50 a.m.
Moments into the green room we notice that a security guard locks the door behind us. A few folks knock on the window, but he won't let them in. I turn to my left and see the homie Sha Money XL. I walk over to dap him up and then notice that 2 Chainz and Kanye West are right behind him. WTF?

Thursday March 15, 2012... 2:00 a.m.
Ten minutes later and we still haven't been kicked out of the green room—perhaps because we're talking to Sha. There's about a dozen folks in the room and they're all ignoring me. Some dude brings out two big bottles of Ciroc and I wonder? Should I push my luck and try to get some vodka?

Thursday March 15, 2012... 2:05 a.m.
I finally head over and get me some Ciroc, right behind Sha of course so he can let folks know I'm legit if there's any mix up. Meanwhile, 2 Chainz and Kanye are in the corner just chopping it up.

Thursday March 15, 2012... 2:10 a.m.
We head downstairs to make sure we get a good spot for 2 Chainz's performance. Knowing I'll be writing this diary, I try to take a flick of Yeezy on the low, but it comes out terrible. See for yourself.

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Thursday March 15, 2012... 2:20 a.m.
It turns out Chainz and 'Ye were right behind us. Cameras snap away as 'Ye takes flicks with Slaughterhouse and Hammer. It turns out Big Sean's here too.

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Thursday March 15, 2012... 2:50 a.m.
The show's coming to an end so I head to the bar for a quick drink and find $5 on the floor.

Thursday March 15, 2012... 3:56 a.m.
We leave to go to the Illmore Mansion and bump into Asher Roth. Adam had actually been texting Asher throughout the day trying to connect with him. The encounter ends up being arguably the most bizarre moment of the week. At some point, some random dude pops up by Asher out of nowhere and starts praying. We invite Asher to come to the Illmore with us, but he declines. "I'm just gonna stay here and get some steak and eggs," he says.

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Thursday March 15, 2012... 4:25 a.m.
We get to the Illmore.

Thursday March 15, 2012... 4:28 a.m.
Three minutes into the Illmore, I find $100 on the floor. Nice way to end the night.

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[Read Day One ofXXL's SXSW Diary, Here]

[Read Day Two of XXL's SXSW Diary, Here]

Stay tuned to see what XXL‘s editors were up to on Day Four of their SXSW journey.

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