By Tai Saint Louis
This summer rappers from around the globe will gather in Atlanta for a one of a kind competition, offering the emcees the chance to battle for up to one million dollars.
The World Series of Hip-Hop will be hosted at the Georgia World Congress Center August 5-9, offering signed and unsigned rappers the opportunity to compete in a bracket style tournament in three levels, to be judged by a panel of some of the most respected names in Hip-Hop.
"This is like a Hip-Hop lottery,” said legendary Queens MC Roxanne Shante, the official spokeswoman for the World Series. “You have to be in it to win it. Most people get in the industry to make a million dollars. But very few make one dollar. Here's a chance for them to make $1,000,000.00 in one night!"
World Series of Hip-Hop contestants will be divided into three age-based divisions.
The Heavyweights, ages 25 and up, will compete for the million dollar grand prize, with the three runner-ups receiving up to $100,000 in prize money.
Artists aged 21-24 will compete for the Middleweight grand prize of $500,000; while those 18-20 are up for $250,000.
The first two days of the contest will see over 200 cyphers take place over the course of 8-10 hours each day, leading up to the semi-finals and finals on the third day.
The event will be hosted by New York DJ and MTV personality Cipha Sounds and rapper-turned-radio personality Monie Love.
“I've spoken to established artists who are signed," said the event’s organizer Furqaan Clover. “They have told me that $1 million is enough to go into battle. Even known rappers can use that kind of money…the competition is going to be stiff. An unknown rapper can become an overnight millionaire in the Heavyweight category."
As tough as the competition, will be the judges, as competitors face a panel of legendary, world-renowned judges consisting of Big Daddy Kane, Dana Dane, DJ Red Alert, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Just Ice, K-Solo, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, MC Lyte, Positive K, MTV’s Sway, Superlove Cee & Casanova Rud, and the Ultramagnetic MCs.
The World Series of Hip-Hop will also feature a Dance competition, where crews of varying sizes will compete for up to $500,000.
The largest prize will be up for grabs in the Dance Troupe category, for teams of six or more dances.
Squads, groups of five or less dancers, will compete for $250,000. Soloists also will battle in the Individual Breakdancing category for $250,000.
The event is open to the public at an admission cost of $10.
“I can't wait to see some unknown rapper, really shame some industry rapper,” Roxanne Shante continued. “I can't wait because I know it's going to be the biggest thing in Hip-Hop history. It's going to change some rapper's life. Plus, I love a good battle."