LITTLE ROCK — The premise of the second annual Arkansas Hip-Hop Showcase is simple: For the second year, it's time to decide who is the best rapper in the state of Arkansas. Rah hoWard laid claim to the inaugural title; now it's time for round two.
Twenty-nine entrants from across Arkansas entered year two of the competition, and, after an initial round of judging, 12 Natural State hip-hop artists will appear at The Village on Saturday to contend for the title of best rapper in the state.
The winner will walk away with $300 cash, free studio time from Joker Ent., a $50 gift certificate from Rock City Kicks, and features on Disciplinary Actions Vol. II and Conduit's The O.D. hip-hop concert showcase. Second place is $200 cash, and third place is $100 cash.
The intent of the showcase is to provide the winners with something tangible instead of empty promises, said Epiphany, a local hip-hop artist and promoter, and one of the event's organizers.
"When they leave the stage they will have their money in hand as well as a great show," he said. Beyond selecting a top rapper in Arkansas for 2010, the show is also intended to provide attendees with a memorable hip-hop show.
"Front to back it's going to be a good show," Epiphany said. "It's going to be a really, really good hip-hop show. The pool of hip-hop artists in Arkansas has grown. Anybody who wants to find some hip-hop to listen to will find it here. There's a wealth of talent. Some well-known acts and untapped gems."
Here's a list of who's up for the title of best rapper in the Natural State:
Bully Gang
The Little Rock duo individually goes by the names of Bmore Mike & Blaze B, two hip-hop "brothers" who trade their rhymes of feel good music on tunes such as "Numba 1."
Joe Average
Joe Average's "My Happy Song" might at first sound like a novelty hit. It is not. It's definitely different sounding, with Average slippery rhyming over a simple, recurring beat, but it's the central Arkansas rapper's rhymes in between the hook that stand out.
Big Drew
Drew Deezie, aka The King of The North, is preparing for the release of his latest mixtape, It's Tha King, in the fall, but is out to remind listeners that he is "Cold, like the winter," on "Cold."
BG Whyte
The Pine Bluff artist has been signing R&B and soul since 2005, but goes hip-hop with a mixture of the blues with his "Last 2 Dollars," reminding hip-hop fans that the key to pimping is to keep it simple, man.
The 4X4 Crew
The Little Rock hip-hop quartet is Burna Boi, SJ, DJ Fatality and Truuf, and while Truuf is currently in the Army, the outfit continues as they have since forming in high school in 2005: a group of rappers backed by a DJ. Expect The 4X4 Crew to drop Back on My Crewish as their next release.
JG
JG is the story of a "Jewish guy [who] found more in common with the hip-hop culture than you would expect." A freestyler since high school, JG is currently working on the mixtape Definition of Brotherhood and Lil Rock Built album.
Southwest Boaz
Southwest Little Rock born and raised, and a McClellan High School grad, Southwest Boaz first rose to fame as the official hype man and artist under last year's Arkansas Hip-Hop Showcase winner Rah hoWard.
Da Saw Squad
The Little Rock duo trade rhymes about having "Nuthin But My J's On" and find a female voice to sing the hook on their "I Will."
J3
Little Rock rapper J3 is only 22 but is already spouting the truth with authority but avoids profanity on his Southern rap. J3’s upcoming album is simply titled The Truth Hurts.
M&C
The Pine Bluff duo splits their hip-hop duties, with Obrennan "Magnum Magillicutty" Moss handling the producing and Ced Adams handling the lyrics, but the two team up to present street music with reality-based lyrics in the live setting.
Sean Fresh
A fixture of the Little Rock hip-hop and R&B scene, Sean Fresh is mainly known as a singer, but proves he has the rap skills with his "Knock Em Out" and big-beat "The Conversation."
R.A.
Born in Hot Springs as Rasheed Jamal Washington, Washington shortened his name to Remember Alwayz or just R.A. Influenced by hip-hop greats such as Outkast and Tupac, the 23-year-old’s hip-hop music is a little eccentric but catchy, such as on the pop meets rap "You Got It."
See the show:
The second annual Arkansas Hip-Hop Showcase is Saturday at The Village. The 12 rappers will be allowed 10 minutes apiece to show their skills, and will be judged on five criteria: a panel of judges will vote based on originality, lyrical cohesiveness, production and showmanship, and the audience will have a fan support vote.