What is The Rapathon?
The Rapathon is a 24-hour cipher that features over 100 rappers who rhyme non stop with no vulgarities. For the past two years we have assembled over 200 rappers to partake in our most significant event of the year. The Hip Hop Culture Center has been successful in gathering a diverse group of rappers including children and adults for this cause.
Rappers are selected for their ability to freestyle for 90 seconds continuously and then aggregate to form teams of 8. Once teams are established each individual is responsible for 1 minute and 30 seconds of performance as the microphone circulates throughout the team. The technique H2C2 developed to guarantee consistency has helped us build and manage a strong foundation of artists. We encourage professionalism, team work, and dedication to the art form. As a contingency, each rapper has a backup partner who covers them in case of errors including negative content or poor delivery. The Rapathon is hosted by freestyle experts who make sure the rap cipher is not broken.
The History
May 11, 2007, H2C2 staged its First Annual Rapathon, a non-stop 24-hour cipher (without cursing or foul language) beating the previous world record held by MC Supernatural by 16 hours. Rappers were selected for their ability to rhyme 90 seconds each continuously and then placed into groups. As a contingency, each rapper had a backup partner who covered them in case of errors including negative content or poor delivery.
With an hour extension the 2nd Annual Rapathon took place in May 2007, featuring 100 rappers who rhymed for 25 hours non-stop. The best performing team was awarded with a music video directed and produced by Ralph McDaniels. Mr. McDaniels is an entrepreneur and visionary who created Video Music Box. Once the music video was completed, it was premiered on his legendary program.
In October 2008, H2C2 hosted “The Impact of Women in Hip Hop”, an exclusive event honoring women who have leaped across barriers and blazed a trail in the Hip Hop industry. Our 1st annual tribute to induct female legends officially into the Hip Hop Culture Center featured our first all female Rapathon (30 female MC’s rhymed continuously for 2 hours). The female MC’s had the opportunity to perform in front of celebrity honorees such as Roxanne Shante, Sha Rock, and MC Lyte.
The 1st Annual Rapathon was shot in High Definition by Turner Entertainment Group, a division of Time Warner and supported by schedule of promotional announcements and PSAs on Hot 97 radio. Garnering global attention, H2C2 has had MC’s from Sweden, Lithuania, and Cuba participate in our annual Rapathon. Working with international artists has enabled us to promote a positive brand in Hip Hop that is both performance driven and interactive. We’ve even elected two Rapathon alumni to go to China on a recruiting trip this coming April to give more diversification to the event.
As an organization H2C2 has demonstrated the ability to work with 100 plus rappers at once in creating this amazing event. This year with our 3rd Annual Rapathon we intend to break our own record and hit the 26 hour mark.
Qualifications:
As an emcee you must prove you can rhyme for 90 seconds straight without cursing, work well in a team, and follow directions. Although participants are divided into groups everyone gets their individual time to shine, so bring you’re A game! The Rapathon is a true Hip Hop experience that requires a lot of effort so we’re looking for emcees with great lyrical skills, stage presence, commitment, and good attitude.
Date of Event:
Starts: Saturday, May 30th, 2009 @ 6:00pm
Ends: Sunday, May 31st, 2009 @ 8:00pm
Audition/Rehearsal Dates:
Monday, May 4, 2009 – 6-8pm
Thursday, May 7, 2009- 6-8pm
Saturday, May 9, 2009- 3-6pm
Tuesday, May 12, 2009- 6-8pm
Monday, May 18, 2009- 6-8pm
Wednesday, May 20, 2009- 6-8pm
Wednesday, May 27, 2009- 6-8pm
(Final Prep Rehearsal)
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