Open mic night packs Soroptomist House

Despite a late start and rumors that University Police would cancel the event, more than 200 people attended Wednesday's open mic and disc jockey showcase at the Soroptomist House.

"Because the police have preconceived notions that hip-hop encompasses tension, they tried to shut this down," Makell Murphy, program consultant, said.  "But the power of the voice, the voice of reason prevailed."

"Battle of the Beats," sponsored by Program Council, attracted emcees, disc jockeys, break dancers and spectators for a night of rapping, spinning and breaking.  All elements of hip-hop were represented except for graffiti art.

"I came to listen to the DJs and emcees showcase their skills," John Andrada, junior astrophysics major, said.  "So far, it's a cool turnout and I'm enjoying myself."

As people slowly filtered into the backyard of the Soroptomist House, the first two emcees opened the night with their freestyle skills.  Freestyle is impromptu rapping.

"In the pop scene, hip-hop is kind of weak," George "Scarecrow" Olarte, one of the first two emcees, said.  "But I feel that the underground is taking over almost and that's what this is."

The evening's music was provided by J.Rocc and DJ "What?!" from the Beat Junkies, with a special appearance by DJ Rhettmatic, from the hip-hop group Visionaries.

"This should be a chillin' event," DJ "What?!" said.  "We came to provide the instrumentals for the emcees to get busy."

The spring night invited a slight breeze, increasing the chill factor, but the event's host, Dr. Oop, heated up the crowd by announcing the open mic competition.  A total of 14 emcees competed.

"I've been rhyming since 1992," emcee Kamali Jones said.  "I love the positive vibe that Hip-Hop gives."

After 14 different rhyming styles and a showcase of various breakdancers, only three emcees remained standing.

"I've been dancing since I was 13 years old," Limzer Lagrimas, now 19 and sophomore graphic design major, said.  "I can express what's in my mind through dancing."

The crowd seemed to favor an emcee known as Jon, but the other two, Steve and Zemerah, did not go down without a fight.

Zemerah hyped the crowd for a while, throwing her fist in their air, only to be immediately knocked to third place because of a friendly battle that developed between the two male emcees.

Steve and Jon went from rhyming about why their style is better than the other's to rhyming about why the other's style is lame.  They got in each other's faces and insulted each other with cleverly thought up phrases and puns.

Jon raced away with most of the crowd's support by calling Steve an imitation Eminem and another Vanilla Ice impostor.

After all the lyrical ammunitions were exhausted, Jon walked away victorious.  He won a $75 gift certificate to the Warehouse music store.

"I wasn't going to battle," Jon Anchata, open mic champion, said.  "It started only as an open mic, but things got a bit heated.  As an emcee I got to come in and show him what's up."

The night ended with people gathering in their own separate circles for more freestyling or breaking.  Smiles were the only expressions on people's faces, giving a positive energy.

"It's great that a lot of people come out to experience Hip-Hop culture," Jerneye, emcee, said.  "I'd love to see an event happen like this continue, but on a grander scale."