DJ JIMMY JATT AND MODENINE 'WOWED' AT STR8 UP HIP-HOP B.I.G TRIBUTE

Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt

 The March edition of Str8 Up, Hip-hop was indeed a major gathering of Hip-hop heads and intellectuals who sought to experience firsthand the place of lyrics in that music genre and they were not disappointed.

The niche urban monthly event, which held last Thursday at Koga Studios, Oregun, Ikeja, witnessed the veteran DJ, Cool DJ Jimmy Jatt and Modenine at their best as they treated the crowd to the lyrics in hip hop.

Modenine

Themed Lyricism 101, the edition was aimed at appreciating the importance of lyrics in Hip-hop and remembering the works and immense contributions of Christopher Wallace also known as Notorious B.I.G.

  

Thus, DJ Jatt slammed classics of the late rapper which brought back cherished memories. Many were seen bopping their heads to the beat, moving on their seats and rapping along.

 

Andre Blaze

The event was hosted by brilliant orator and Hip-hop enthusiast, Andre Blaze who fed the hip-hop hungry crowd to an amazing Notorious B.I.G history and gradually took them into the world of lyricism.

Dolapo

In the same vein, there was a previewed session from Modenine’s latest album, Alphabetical Order. The multi award winning rapper’s performance was no doubt the best of the night, almost all in attendance got on their feet and rapped along with the veteran as he performed some of his timeless hits and his new single, ‘Let It Go’.

Butafly

The crowd was also treated to almost all the Hip-hop elements which includes mesmerizing B-boy stunts, captivating spoken word by Dolapo, live graffiti by Uprizn, energetic performances by Butafly and Five Mics and superb DJ’ing by DJ OZ.

A major feature of Str8 Up, Hip-hop, Emcee battle, was tightly contested by highly talented emcees but finally won by upcoming rapper, Yung Soss, whose style was unquestionably unique.

Five Mics

Now Muzik En.Core is planning yet another Str8 Up, Hip-hop edition for April. The theme will be announced soon.

Str8 Up, Hip-hop! Celebrate the art form, live the culture!

Battle Emcees

Yung Soss

Graffiti Art by Uprizn

Break Dancers

Uprizn

HIP-HOP TOOK A STAND AT ‘STATE OF THE UNION FORUM’ OF STR8 UP HIP-HOP

The Panelists

It was indeed an enlightening session for Hip-Hop lovers and enthusiasts who gathered on the 23^rd of January 2013, at the re-launch edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop, a monthly urban networking event for Hip-hop heads and intellectuals. The event which was themed ‘State of the union forum’, focused on a critical breakdown of matters arising from “There Was A Country” by renowned author, Chinua Achebe. 

The interactive session which was produced by Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with POP and Beat 99.9fm had as panelists; MI Abaga, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Elajoe and Pamela Braide .

Andre Blaze 

Spoken word artist, Sage, opened the event with a special presentation of a mind blowing poem. Brilliant orator, Andre Blaze who was the host of the event, held the audience’s attention with well prepared, thought provoking questions thrown at the panelist for elaborate discussion. 

Among the pertinent issues deliberated on, were; challenges of distribution, scarcity and piracy of books, decline in reading culture, importance of ethnic identity to the Nigerian youth and the role of the Hip-hop community in nation building. Most importantly, excerpts from ‘There was a country’ were itemized and extensively discussed. 

There was no shortage of information as the panelists made superb use of personal experiences, real life examples and illustrations to drive home their points which no doubt will remain glued to the hearts of the attendees. The youths were encouraged to learn to read and improve on their reading culture because the foundation of everything is the ‘written word’. They were also advised to harness the availability of e-books, since knowledge acquisition will make them stronger and better humans in any society they belong to. 

  

'State of the union forum’ edition of Str8 UP Hip-hop was a successful event and a testimony to the claim by some experts that “Hip-hop is positively linked to intellectual growth”. The panelists and everyone present lauded Now Muzik En.Core for such a noble initiative.