In the heart of the city that never sleeps, SNIPES continues their 50 Years of Hip Hop celebration led by the iconic Ice T and with the help of Beats Rhymes & Relief. A spectacular three-day performance in Times Square, NYC! As we celebrated half a century of Hip Hop’s enduring legacy, we didn’t just engage with the community; we ignited a cultural explosion right at the epicenter of city life.
The Battle Royale, a magnificent 3-day Arts & Culture exhibition, wasn’t just about entertainment; it was a heartfelt effort to support the “For The Culture” fund. Across these three days, we immersed ourselves in art, engaged in enlightening panel discussions and workshops, and witnessed a thrilling single-elimination tournament. This tournament aimed to crown the Kings and Queens of the 50th Anniversary across five performance-based elemental categories: DJing, MCing, Graffiti Art, Breaking, and Beatboxing.
Our vision was clear—to celebrate, uplift, and honor every performance-based element of Hip Hop. We brought together the most talented artists, dancers, and musicians of today to compete for the coveted title of King or Queen of the 50th Anniversary. Times Square transformed into a haven, educating and empowering NYC’s youth. The streets of this iconic location bore witness to an unforgettable fusion of art, culture, and celebration.
The climax of this remarkable event featured the top 8 contenders from each of the five elemental categories. Judges and committees carefully ranked and placed them, setting the stage for epic showdowns.
The Emcee Challenge: Hosted by the legendary Corey James Gray, contestants faced judgment based on Musicality, Technicality, Originality, Showmanship, and Crowd Response.
The Graffiti Battle: Hosted by the renowned graffiti artist and historian, David “Chino” Villorente, artists were assessed on Lettering, Technicality, Originality, Ingenuity, and Coloring.
The Breaking Battle: Produced by the legendary Bboy and Olympic committee member, Nemesis, Breakers showcased their Technicality, Originality, and Showmanship.
The Beatbox Battle: Hosted by two-time World Beatboxing Champion, Kaila Mullady, contestants exhibited Musicality, Technicality, Originality, Showmanship, and Crowd Response.
The DJ Battle: The Godfather of turntablism, Grandmixer DXT, presided over this thrilling contest, focusing on scratching, beat juggling, and mixing.
The festivities commenced with a heartwarming celebration that embraced the community, competitors, and artist alike. Stay tuned for more game-changing moments as SNIPES and Hip Hop continue to redefine culture and inspire generations to come. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X for more news about our latest activations and to stay updated on our future initiatives.
Written by Parker Hargens
