Second annual Hip-Hop Jam comes to SUB

by Cindy Lewis

Daily Lobo

Some think hip-hop culture has been given a bad rap.

Cyrus Gould and his crew, Ultra High Frequency, along with United Students Against Sweatshops, plan to disprove that negative reputation with the second annual Breaking Hearts Hip-Hop Jam tomorrow in the SUB Ballroom.

"This event will work to shed a positive light on hip-hop culture and give an alternative to 'bling-bling,' mainstream hip-hop," Gould said. "We want to show people it's not all about the money."

The show will feature several artistic aspects of the local hip-hop scene including breakdancing, freestyle rhyming, beat boxing and graffiti art. There will be several contests, or battles, like a three-on-three b-boy battle, a one-on-one b-girl battle and a canvas art contest.

There is no limit on submissions of canvas art and winners will receive $50 to $100 cash prizes.

Rudy Montoya, who plans to enter the b-boy battle, said hip-hop has had a positive impact on his life.

"Hip-hop and breaking has kept me out of trouble," he said. "After I got into hip-hop, I found something to live for."

DJs Heavy Rotation and Epee will be spinning a mix of old-school breaks, funk and underground hip-hop throughout the night.

In addition to hip-hop, Breaking Hearts 2 will capture the energy of the reggae scene and skateboarding community.

Local reggae favorite Mystic Vision, a group that always creates good vibes and dancing feet at UNM events, will perform.

Several professional skateboarders from student-owned Silver Board Shop will strut their skate stuff on a mini-ramp.

Gould said he hopes that by combining the talents of three sub-cultures, the event will bring in a diverse crowd. Last year, about 200 people attended Breaking Hearts at the Television Poetry Studio, but Gould hopes that number will double this year at the SUB.

"I chose the SUB as the venue because it has a large capacity, brand-new facilities and I know a lot of college kids will go," he said.

Although the event will attract a younger crowd, Gould said he hopes people of all ages will attend. To promote that, senior citizens and kids under five will get in free.

"I encourage all age groups to go because I think it's important to expose them to positive aspects of youth culture and make it more of a community and family-based event," he said.

In addition to providing entertainment on a Friday night, Breaking Hearts 2 will benefit the community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit United Students Against Sweatshops, a UNM organization that works to raise awareness about labor rights and conditions.

There will also be several vendors and other non-profit organizations at the event including a New Mexico Public Interest Research Group booth and a voter-registration table with a raffle for those who register.

"It (Breaking Hearts 2) is a really amazing way to bring people from the UNM community and the Albuquerque community together to raise awareness about voting and labor issues in an environment that's entertaining," said Marisol Enyart, president of USAS. "It will fuse different aspects of society into one event where everyone can come together and feel empowered.

What: Breaking Hearts

Hip-Hop Jam

When: Friday 6 p.m.

Where: UNM SUB

Price: $7

Ticket Info: Tickets at the door