atypicalLIVING covers… Trip The Lights: Beat Root Grand Championship

Funny thing happened on the way to Trip The Lights: I actually had a class to go to. Obviously, that was the least of my concerns, as I was trying to get through that to get to the real reason for the Leap Day, Trip The Lights: Beat Root Grand Championship.

And what an event it was! Six of Hawaii’s illest producers went toe-to-toe for the ultimate prize: The Beat Root King of Kings title. Ques?, Opposite, Laels Beats, STU, Humdrummin, and Sentr1c. All vied for the crown through the traditional 6-4-2-1 Beat Root format. The formula had a twist, however, as the first round consisted of the producers’ first beat, along with a remix of Tropea’s “The Bratt.” That part of round 1 wasn’t judged, though it was safe to say that through crowd participation Laels definitely took that round.

Props to DJ Memoir for the video.

Anyway, I was going to do some straightforward coverage of the event, but when you got Honozooloo in the house rocking the spot, that kinda let me be a little bit more… ummm… “creative” with the coverage.

So, seeing as how Vitamin Water was one of the principle sponsors for the event, I decided to have a little fun. In no way is the coverage here a promo for Vitamin Water, but… if anyone there wants to hook a homie up with a couple cases, you know where I can be reached.

So, props to Aaron from Honozooloo for the legit coverage of the event and props to everyone who decided to be a part of my little experiment for the evening. And props to the unnamed bottle of revive Vitamin Water for being so cooperative in the shots.

OH! And extra props to whoever it was that drank the said bottle of Vitamin Water in the green room. I just walked outside for a second to take flicks of the blackbook winner. I returned to the bottle opened and half drank, which kinda killed the shots for the rest of the night. Oh well, at least I got what I wanted to get out of it.

The night also featured performances by The Perfect Median, Rhyme Da Old Man and Hidden habitats (Timer, Omega6, and DJ Bumblebee).

The battles were hot and heavy between all the producers. With Sentr1c, Laels and Ques? making it out of the first round and Opposite making it out of the second chance round. After some close calls, Ques? came out on top as the Beat Root Grand Champion. The night was finished off by the Sideroad records crew of Joe Dub, Factor, Def3, Kay the Aquanaut, and Forgetful Jones.

Anyway, you can check out the atypicalLIVING coverage/promo on the atpicalLIVING flickr page.

You can also check out the excellent Honozooloo coverage here.

Finally, you can check out all the latest from the lightsleepers here.

Finally (again), congratulations are in order for the Omo family for welcoming baby Koltrane into the world. Props to Kav and Chels for their newest addition!

Trip The Lights Blackbook Battle

In addition to being the Greatest Night in Hawaii Hip-Hop History, the Grand Championship round of Trip The Lights: Beat Root will also feature the most epic blackbook battle in recent memory.

The word for this battle is “Primo.” SO, get to work and bring our completed pieces to Trip The Lights this Friday night for judging. The winner, from what I’ve heard, will be getting the dope prize pack from the fine folks at ArtPrimo, so you know the writers are gonna be gunnin for that prize pack.

Once again, the Greatest Night in Hawaii Hip-Hop goes down this Friday night at rRed Elephant. Doors open at 8PM and the full array of rRed Elephant’s cafe will be available. Also, I just so happen to walk by the place and I guess they now serve selected beers and wine as well, so something for everyone this Leap Year day.

The event is all ages and it’s $10 at the door. So, come early and rock out all night long.

For more, check out the lightsleepers website.

Special thanks to Prolifik, Skull Candy, Easy Music Center, ArtPrimo, in4mation, Vitamin Water and XPRMNT for support the Hawaii scene.

Trip The Lights: Beat Root GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

This is IT, you guys.  The final Beat Root (for now) goes down this Friday night, the 29th (leap year!) .  Four of the past winners (Opposite, Ques?, Lael’s Beats and Sentr1c) will be vying for the Grand Championship title with two of the most consistent competitors in the Beat Root series (S.T.U. and Humdrummin).  The title of Hawaii’s best beatmaker is on the line and thes guys will be giving it their all at rRed Elephant.

BUT!  That’s not the only thing going down this Friday night.  Oh no, because the lightsleepers have packed this night to the gills with an amazing array of performers.

Look for performances by Hawaii’s own and the Bay Area’s finest Joe Dub and the bulk of Canada’s hip hop scene with Factor, Kay the Aquanaut, Forgetfull Jones, Def3 and Kirby Dominant coming along side the ride.  Also performing are some of Hawaii’s illest, Rhyme Da Old Man will be throwing down, as well as Grip H and Juan P aka the Perfect Median and Showdown in Chinatown winners from the Hidden Habitats, Timer1 and DJ Bumblebee.

On top of ALL THAT, there’s also going to be art installations by The Starfish Guy, KOAK, Shaun Castro, Stanstill, Nicolai and a whole bunch more.

PLUS!  There’s also gonna be a blackbook battle based on the word “Primo,” sponosred by Art Primo.

I don’t know how they’ll be able to get everything in before 1am, but I’m hoping they do.  This is gonna be the greatest night in Hawaii Hip-Hop history.  No doubt in my mind.

Props to in4mation, XPRMNT, Prolifik, Skull Candy, Easy Music Center, Art Primo and Vitamin Water for making this all possible.

For more information, check out the lightsleepers website.