A hip-hop, freestyle battle usually involves one MC tearing down another.
This Saturday it will be a little different at Spring Breakz 2004, said Cyrus Gould, planner of the event.
During the freestyle battle, Gould will hold up cards with political words on them and the MCs will have to rhyme about that topic.
"Hip-hop can be a powerful way of expressing political views," Gould said. "Sometimes more so than writing an essay or reading a political book, because youth can relate to it more."
While local hip-hop jams usually involve break dancing competitions, Spring Breakz will have a political MC battle, a DJ scratch battle, three performances, a skate park and a Brazilian dance performance by Capoeira Pegadas.
Phillip Torres, who performs as Flux, will be entering the MC battle as well as performing in the newly founded hip-hop group, Garbage Pail Kidz.
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"This is different," Torres said. "In a battle, you're both displaying how tight you are. There hasn't been too many MC freestyle battles like this one. It's going to work a different part of the brain. It's like a pop quiz."
After the MC battle, the Garbage Pail Kidz, a group that incorporates a lot of underground hip-hop styles with a jazzy female vocalist, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Its members include Flux, Durt E. Spoons, Rose, Oki, DJ Sez and Phen.
"We're a group from different areas, and we collaborate, and all of these styles mesh," Torres said. "We write about topics that everybody goes through and we say it how it is. We're outspoken."
In addition to Garbage Pail Kidz, Dirtheadz and DJ B-Phonic will also be performing at the event.
The scratch battle will involve local DJs scratching records on turntables to see who can create the best beat routine. Shakedown of 89.9 KUNM's Street Beats will judge the scratch competition and Durt E. Spoons will judge the MC Battle. Participants can sign up at the door for the battles and will get in free. Winners will be awarded $100 to $200 for each battle, depending on how many people show up, Gould said.
Gould said he wanted to bring together the skateboarding youth with the local hip-hop scene.
In the morning, participants can bring their skateboards and skate worry-free. Thanks to Silver Board Shop and Nag Rails, a mini-skate park will be built outside for the day.
Gould said it was important that Spring Breakz was an all ages event.
"I wanted to have a daytime event so it was more compatible for all ages," Gould said. "I think it's cool when young kids come in. I've even seen kids bring their grandparents."
Torres said that the local music scene here is on the level of talent in big cities.
"These events are to share that talent," he said.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the UNM group United Students Against Sweatshops.
What: Spring Breakz
When: Saturday at 2 p.m.
Where: Heights Community Center 323 Buena Vista Dr.
Price: $5
