Lyricists can display their talents and lyrical styles through an open mic and freestyle battle Thursday at Battle of the Beats.
Battle of the Beats, presented by the University Student Union Program Council, started at Cal State Long Beach in 2000. Due to the lack of funding and a low number of participants, the event lasted until 2004 before it was discontinued.
Five years later, Tristan Wynn, a senior journalism major, and Sheena George, a senior biology major, worked together to bring Battles of the Beats back to campus for another round.
The competition is set up as a tournament with an open-mic MC, or microphone controller, battle, where pairs of contestants will battle for 30 seconds at a time until the last MC remains. The winner of the event will receive five hours of professional studio recording time at K-Beach Radio.
Wynn said he is hoping to have 20 performers and about 300 to 400 people attend.
“[I] want the MC to wow the crowd and find a winner that deserves the recording time,” he said.
Power 106 Disc Jockey E-Man of will spin records to entertain the audience during the event.
Guest judges from CSULB will base the competition on a combination of factors: originality, style, flow, audience response and stage presence.
Mario Chheng, a senior communications major, is one of the contestants. He said he is excited that DJ E-Man will be hosting the event.
“I am honored to be the opening act for the event,” said Chheng, since the competition will be making a comeback after five years.
The performance is free for CSULB students and $5 for non-CSULB students. It will be held Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the USU Ballrooms. Free food and drinks will be provided. “I Love Hip Hop” shirts will also be sold at the event.
Those interested in signing up can see the USU Program Council up to 30 minutes prior to the event outside the USU Ballroom or call 562-985-5342.