April 19–26, 2001

beat box

The Beat Box

Hip-hop happenings.

As part of National Poetry Month, The Walt Whitman Arts Center celebrates with a performance by Day of The Poet founder Kevin O’Neill. After the Slam Master throws down, he’ll host The Second Annual Walt Whitman Slamber Party — "a pajama-clad (PJs optional) poetry slam fest of nocturnal, vernacular combat." DJ Razor Ramone handles the tables and a cash purse of $75 will be up for the taking. Fri., April 20, at the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, Second and Cooper Sts., Camden, 856-964-8300, 7:30 p.m., $6.

Code Blue! Code Blue! Relax and unwind on the dance floor at the all new "The Blue Light Special." Straight outta work, immerse yourself in nu-jazz, funk, soul, trip-hop, house and classic hip-hop. DJs Junior and Midnight rock the wheels. Fri., April 20, Aqua Lounge, 323 W. Girard Ave., 215-769-5114, 6 -10:30 p.m., $3.

The Rutgers University Student Community of Hip-Hop (RUSCH) will be holding a hip-hop seminar mixing entertainment and educational forums. Panelists include PNB Nation president Roger McHayle, GrandWizzard Theodore, DJ Jazzy Jay, TVT Records’ Bryan Leach and more. Also be prepared for lyricism by the Arsonists, Punchline and Wordsworth. Sat., April 21, 2 -10:30 p.m., at the Cook Campus Center on the Rutgers University New Brunswick Campus, free! Contact Mary Nichols at 732-373-8607 or shortmary@ureach.com for more information.

Yes, it’s another Arrakis Records jam, but this time New York underground cats The Masterminds headline the show. The Ground Control recording artists — Oracle, Kimani and Epod — embody the spirit of indie hip-hop. Support! Support! It’s not all about that deal with Def Jam. Also performing are Kenneth Masters, Dept. of Rec., Briz, Digs Dark Lighter and Job Core. DJ Low Budget plays selecta for the evening. Sat., April 21, Philadelphia Fire Bar and Grill, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. - 2 a.m., $5.

Say what? This is the hip-hop section, well yesh but reggae & dancehall occasionally make the cut. Join the Shotgun Squad for that ill downtown dancehall with a delicious side of hip-hop for Shotgun Love. With DJs Mizery and Cosmo at the helm, be prepared to work it out on the floor. Sun., April 22, 9 p.m., Silk City, Fifth and Spring Garden Sts., 215-592-8838, $5.

—Ainè Ardron-Doley

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