7:00 pm Hip-Hop Culture Talk 

Artistic Advisor D. Jones, moderator
Da Beatminerz, Hi-Tek, D. Prosper, M-1, and DJ Crabrangucci, speakers 

8:00 pm Hip-Hop Battle Royale with DJ’s Da Beatminerz and DJ Crabrangucci  

Omaha’s best dancers will compete for the top spot while DJ’s play the best Hip Hop of the 90s. Free event. Registration required to compete – available at ticketomaha.com. 

Preliminary round, Friday, March 24 7:00 - 9:00 PM 
Semi-final round, Friday, April 21 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The first two rounds will take place at BeAmbi & Company Creative Studios at 5801 N. 90th Street Omaha, NE. 

Da Beatminerz are a hip-hop duo from Bushwick, Brooklyn, and are known for their dark, gritty sound that is very popular with the underground hip-hop scene.  The duo is composed of brothers Mr. Walt and DJ Evil Dee, formed in 1992, making their production debut with Evil Dee's group Black Moon, on its debut single, "Who Got Da Props?" The duo produced the entirety of Black Moon's acclaimed debut album, Enta Da Stage. In the late 1990s, da Beatminerz expanded its client list, producing popular hip hop artists such as Afu-Ra, Black Star, Eminem, Flipmode Squad, M.O.P., De La Soul, Mic Geronimo, and O.C.  In 1996, they appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Fat Joe. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine. Their single "Take That," became a hip hop hit in 2001, hitting the Top 5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. In the new millennium, the group has crafted beats for artists such as Akrobatik, Big Daddy Kane, Black Moon, Boot Camp Clik, Craig G, Dilated Peoples, Jean Grae, KRS-One, Naughty By Nature, and Wordsworth. Currently, Da Beatminerz are running their own internet radio station. They are currently set to produce the entirety of Black Moon's next LP, 'Dark Side Of The Moon'.

Hi – Tek - Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American rapper and record producer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli.

D. Prosper  a poet, Derick was responsible for hiring music producers and engineers for Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Xzibit, and many more.

M - 1 is an American rapper, songwriter, and activist from Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for his work as one half of the hip hop duo dead prez with stic.man.