Rap for cash in Battleground freestyle contest
Got skillz? If you rap, deejay, beatbox, breakdance, paint graffiti or perform some hip hop-related art you could cash in at Battleground, a new monthly talent competition.
Starting Nov. 7, Battleground will go down the first Saturday of every month from 8 p.m. to midnight at Raw Vibes, a new art and performance space in St. Petersburg. Emcees can compete for $100 in a monthly freestyle rap contest. Beginning in December, deejays, dancers and other performers can compete for a separate $100 prize.
Battleground is organized by husband and wife duo Pedro "El Poeta" Jarquin, above, and Sarah Weatherbee. Jarquin, a longtime staple in Tampa Bay's spoken word scene, will host the showcase. Weatherbee, a glass artist, will design a microphone-shaped trophy for the first rapper to win three battles in a row. The emcee will keep the trophy until someone dethrones him or her.
To enter the freestyle contest, contact Jarquin or Weatherbee.
-- Dalia Colon, tbt*
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Our 2010 Ultimate Local Music Guide was our biggest to date, featuring 180 bands, singers, rappers, DJs and artists across all genres.
In 2009, our Ultimate Local Music Guide spotlighted 150 of Tampa's Bay's top artists. To celebrate, we launched Soundcheck -- the blog you're reading now!
Our 2008 Ultimate Music Guide featured the 10 best local bands, 130 more artists that we love, a SXSW photo gallery by Giddy Up Helicopter and more.
In 2007, we profiled nearly 100 of the Bay Area's best music acts. See who was hot back then. Chances are, you're still rocking out to them today!
Why would anyone voluntarily attempt to see 50 concerts at 50 different venues in a single summer? Jay Cridlin shrugged and thought: