Orlando, I could have taken this week’s publication to write on a new business, artist or venue but instead I wanted to break down a local disbelief. I have been in love with Hip Hop since the age of 12 and the discovery of The Sugar Hill Gang. Being a lover of the written word and its power, it was easy to fall in love with masterful emcees. Over the years in promotions, I have been blessed to meet and interview many talented Orlando artists. Unfortunately when it comes to the Hip Hop scene in Orlando, many have expressed that there is no true opportunities for emcees to get noticed. I have heard

many stories of how a person has talent but no chance to showcase that talent and gain the exposure that they need to “make it”, that “Orlando is not the place for Hip Hop”. When I hear this, it disappoints me because there is plenty of talent in the central Florida area that deserves the acknowledgment. And despite what they may believe, there are many chances for emcees to get noticed, if they are truly motivated to “get their grind on”.

Too many individuals claim to be an emcee but never get beyond their local porches because they lack the hunger

to make it happen. Also there HAVE been artists that have “made it” from Orlando area. The real shame is that a majority of these examples don’t claim Orlando as home and I hope to see that change. So it is with great pleasure and some help from friends, I present a current list of opportunities for an artist to network and get the exposure they crave…in my own way, I hope to help Orlando Hip Hop grow!

The first resource I would like to introduce comes from a very talented emcee himself. Ian “Sb da Anomoly” is one of the most masterful emcees of the written word I have had the pleasure to come across. Most recently he has published a book of his best poems call “Words of Anomaly” and has started to make his rounds on the spoken word circuit. His contest “The Anomaly 20 Man Rap Cipher Contest” is an outstanding chance that many emcees haven’t taken advantage of. It is a contest of 20 emcees that are split into 4 groups of 5. They will rhyme in a cipher to several instrumentals with either written or free styled verses. The top emcee will be chosen by 3 Judges and the winner of each cipher will move on the final cipher which will be comprised of 5 people. The final cipher will also consist of rhyming to several instrumentals and the 2 top emcees will be selected to rap about a random topic given by the judges. The winner is rewarded with $200

cash & a HD, high quality video of his selected track. To enter please email sbtheanomoly@aol.com or message him at facebook.com/sbtheanomolyfanpage.

Another opportunity is “Soul of the Lyricist Fridays” @ 174 Semoran Commerce Place Building B in Apopka from 9-2am. Developed by Joshua “Splitsoul” Rivera & Sb da Anomoly, it has grown to have a dedicated following each week. Each emcee has 6 minutes to shine and the first 5 emcees to show get a free promotional performance video shot & edited by Pelican Boyz TV and also free interviews and cipher footage shot and edited by Mattapan Dee! To sign up email: splitsoul33@gmail.com.

The best location recommendation I can suggest is Club 57 West. This venue has hosted hip hop events for years and is known as the spot to be to battle/network. Located at 57 W Pine St Orlando, it has hosted many battles and artist premiers. Last month wrote about Truth 407 whom had his mix tape release party there. Most recently it held the Gold Star Entertainment Hip Hop Showcase on May 30th and the Florida Music Fest featuring SouthernSeedz performing LIVE alongside Freeze Development. They also have many weekly events such as Sound off Sundays, which is an open mic weekly event where an emcee can showcase his battle skills against his/her peers. Check them out on facebook or www.club57west.com.

One of the biggest chances at large exposure is with our own Power 95.3 “Artist Spotlight”. It is a segment hosted by DomeoLive and MzMarina that helps get local (Orlando) artists a little bit of shine in the city. Domeo and Mz.Marina seek out the hottest artists, making the most noise around the city and they interview them (on camera), and then they will put together a short video, which they will put it up on Power953.com and their YouTube channel. It’s more or less if you have a buzz going, they have a platform to help you

get out there. In the past few months they’ve had artists such as P.I. Bang, 3tards, WesFif, and are currently looking for the month of July. To enter hit up Drew “DomeoLive” Haymen up on facebook or doemeolive@gmail.com or kylie.fitzgerald@coxinc.com. You can also follow them on Twitter @DomeoLIVE and @MzMarina.

Last but far from least, I have to shout out my own. TalkofOrlando.com offers many different promotional options from doing a photo shoot with feature article in the FlyerPromoNow publication, to tweet, text & email blasts that hit an audience of 8500 +. We also can feature your mixtape/cd on our website, which honestly has the highest promotional/entertainment internet traffic in Orlando. Feel free to hit us up at www.TalkofOrlando.com or talkoforlando@gmail.com

In summary, this is just a VERY small tidbit of the resources available to emcee’s in Orlando. There are no more excuses! I don’t want to hear “there is no Hip Hop opportunity in Orlando”. I have many more resources I wouldn’t mind sharing if you take your art/skills seriously, and I have given you great places to start…NOW RUN WITH IT!

ARE YOU THE

by Kris Kinville of Talkoforlando.com

Em cEE OppOrtun iti Es

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