Upcoming rap battle giving local artists industry exposure
Music executives from Sony and iHeartMedia will scout local artists at "Who's the G.O.A.T?", a rap battle Saturday evening at Dance Fire Studio. News10 caught up with event organizers and some of those competing artists.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Music executives from Sony and iHeartMedia will scout local artists at "Who's the G.O.A.T?", a rap battle Saturday evening at Dance Fire Studio. News10 caught up with event organizers and some of those competing artists.
Organizers said they’re looking for the G.O.A.T. – or the Greatest Of All Time. On Saturday, starting at 6:00 P.M. Champagne Events will host its first competition in a three-part series. CEO and CFO of Champagne Events Sibbie LaVoz explains.
“We are trying to find who is the G.O.A.T. of upstate New York and then the second competition will be downstate New York in New York City. And we’ll find out who the G.O.A.T. is there and then we’ll have a third and final competition where the two go head to head,” said LaVoz.
“It’s a competition to help inspire artists but also bridge that gap between upstate and downstate New York,” said CEO and Founder of Campagne Events Jalani Woodson.
He said the purpose of the event is to bring the New York state music community together to help local artists break into the industry.
“People telling their own story of what they’ve experienced, their life traumas. Them falling in love, them falling out of love,” said Woodson. “It’s their way of venting and for someone else to hear it and understand ‘Oh that’s what they’re going through? I’m kinda going thru the same thing’ and it helps them heal.”
“I’ve been at my house practicing like it’s the BET awards,” said Isaiah “Zay” Casper, a competing artist.
3rd and 4th place prizes include 1 week of radio play on iHeartMedia’s “Rough Ryders Radio”. As well as a photo and video shoot. First place will get 5 weeks of radio play and Sony distribution.
“This is something we are planning to do every year. so if you like it this year then you should be ready for next year’s,” said LaVoz.
“You should listen to what I’m sayin’, I’m goin up I’m feelin amazin’. My music has my life changin’,” said Noah “FaxoHxzrd” Persons, another competing artist.
In addition to the music executives, celebrity guest rapper Cory Gunz will also be in attendance, sharing his experience and inspiring these unsigned artists.