For the first time ever on the Ohio University campus, local emcees will have the chance to perform with the big shots during Sibs Weekend Feb. 18.
Due to a high amount of interest, the Sibs Weekend event organizer, the Black Student Cultural Programming Board, decided to create an emcee contest that will determine who will open this year’s Sibs Weekend concert, featuring Dom Kennedy and Big K.R.I.T.
“We just had such an extensive response we had to come up with a way to decide who was going to be the opener,” said Winsome Chunnu-Brayda, associate director of the Multicultural Center and adviser for BSCPB. “We have a lot of talented students here and it would be a great opportunity for them to showcase their talent.“
Eleven emcees will compete to open the Sibs Weekend show: the five-man rap group Yizzo, Ryo, Corey West, J. Doze, Soham the Athenian, Jéan P, Teuro and o-Mitch, Tevin Weind, Da Real Henry Hill and the only female rapper in the contest, Autumn Perfect.
Dr. Akil Houston, professor of the history of hip-hop course at Ohio University; DJ A Roc, an emcee and OU alumnus; and Paul Meara, an OU student and staff writer for HipHopDX.com, will judge the contest. The trio will join the audience in deciding the winner of the contest during three rounds of songs and a 10-second freestyle rap battle between the final two rappers.
“It’s always nice to support the students and what they are doing on campus,” Houston said. “I think there are a few qualities that make for a great emcee, including the ability to read and excite the audience, to be creative musically and have something that is worth listening to. “
Angela McElrath, BSCPB public relations assistant and event director, said the judges were selected based on relevance, experience and knowledge of hip-hop music.
“They have been around for a while and have experience and know about hip-hop.” McElrath said. “We decided the contest needed some structure, which is why we decided to have judges.”
The acts will be judged based on creativity, lyrics, style and overall presentation.
With the long list of well-known local music artists with impressive talent, Seyi Odunavia, BSCPB president, said that the key to success is winning over the fans because they ultimately select the winner.
“Make sure to bring your people,” Odunaiya said. “The more people that are there, the more chance you have to win.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
