Tomorrow night, Ohio University students and Athens residents can get a taste of an urban music scene right here in rural Ohio. Sponsored by the Hip Hop Congress, DJ Mick Boogie will present a night of hip-hop mixes at the Blue Gator.
Born and raised in the Cleveland area, Mick Boogie grew up playing the drums and the piano, giving him the skills he would need to become a DJ, he said in an e-mail. Now he is one of the most wanted DJs in the business, spinning parties for stars such as Lebron James, Jay-Z and Venus and Serena Williams.
Citing Jazzy Jeff, Funkmaster Flex and DJ AM as a few of his influences, Mick Boogie boasts a unique DJ style that uses hip hop and R&B as its base, which he fuses with everything from '80s music to reggae to rock. Several radio stations around Ohio play his music, and he works closely with hip-hop radio station Hot 97 in New York City, said Acie Middleton, the president of Hip Hop Congress.
The Hip Hop Congress decided to bring Mick Boogie to Athens for a new type of programming to showcase hip-hop culture. Many people believe the only way to make it big in the music industry is through recording and rap music, Middleton said, but Mick Boogie's visit will open the door to another outlet of music entertainment.
Middleton said he hopes having a DJ of Mick Boogie's caliber in Athens will encourage aspiring DJs to continue their art and will provide a networking experience for them. Middleton also said the Hip Hop Congress will hold the show at the Blue Gator to use the event as a community development vehicle.
A lot of parties around OU that are advertised to minority communities
they often are centered around Baker Center Middleton said. (The event will draw) people out of the university setting and bring them into the community of Athens.
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Caitlin Price
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