Brighton’s original open mics/open decks hip hop jam

by Kode : 30/01/08



This is an archived page...
Please visit www.myspace.com/slipjamb

What's it all about?

Since 1998 Brighton has played host to a remarkable hip hop night called Slip Jam:B. Put simply, it’s an open mics/open decks jam session, providing a forum for deejays and emcees to get on stage and show the crowd what they can do. And when we say "open mics/open decks", we mean it - anyone’s welcome. There’s no vetting of candidates or signing up in advance; people just turn up on the night and get involved. Originally started by a couple of hip hop fans by the name of Ben and Andy, it was passed over in early 2001 to Nonconformists' Kode and Richie Cunningham alongside Mr Clean.

So what makes Slip Jam:B so special? Well, first off, how can a monthly freestyle jam NOT be special?!! For hip hoppers in Brighton, it’s a vital event. Ever since it began it’s been an integral part of the city’s hip hop scene, as much for the crowd who come to watch as for the performers who come to do their thing. And, the venue has a decent sound system – something that’s often missing in live hip hop.

From long-established Brighton veterans to first-timers, the city’s emcees come down to show off their latest rhymes, drop some freestyles or have a battle. For those who know each other the battles often involve low-down and dirty (but still friendly!) personal attacks, while occasionally a new cat will take it a bit too seriously and try to bring the aggro… but in general it’s all taken in the appropriate spirit! Of course, it’s not all freestyling – many emcees come down to spit their latest verses, bringing some more complex lyricism than most freestyles include.

Deejays old and new come to drop some party tunes, show off their cuts and juggles and spin beats for the open mic. There’s always a pair of decks set up for the mix plus another deck and mixer for scratches, so there’s plenty of room for scratch specialists and club-style mixers as well as the all-rounders. For the open mic, the more experienced deejays work with the emcees, dropping in a few choice cuts between verses and letting the beats run so the emcees can speak their piece.

Less frequent visitors are the beatboxers… They may be in short supply, but when they come they always get a good response from the crowd, whether it be showcasing their own particular style or dropping beats for the emcees to rhyme over.

On top of the jam session, every month has a live performance by one of the local crews, showing off their own tracks to the crowd. Again, the organisers have an open policy on who can appear – if you’re making tracks, you can request a booking and (subject to an often-long waiting list you’ll get one. For many of the up-and-coming new crews, this is their first opportunity to get their name on posters and flyers around the city.

For the participants it’s also a regular place to hook up with their peers, meet new people, arrange collaborations, and check their skills against the competition. Many emcees have made their first, or near-first, appearances at Slip Jam:B, and gone on to improve their skills for all to see. There’s also been a large number of collaborations between emcees, deejays and producers, and a good many friendships made.

Brighton is blessed to have a night like this. It’s regular, it’s unpretentious, the sound system is good and it’s free to get in. If you’re an emcee, deejay or producer, or just a hip hop fan, you should make sure you’re there.

When’s it on?

Slip Jam:B is on the first Tuesday of every month, from 8-11pm. It's open to over 18's, but bring photo ID - security will want to see it.

Where is it?

FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 WE ARE AT OUR NEW VENUE - THE HOPE!

It’s in Brighton, East Sussex, upstairs at the Hope pub on Queens Road. The pub is between Brighton rail station and the Clock Tower - click here for a map.

How do I get involved?

Just turn up! If you’re an emcee, just get on stage during the open mic and you’ll get the mic in due course. If you’re a deejay, speak to whoever’s on the decks. And if you want to get booked for a live performance, give a demo to Kode, Richie Cunningham or Mr Clean (one of us can always be found behind the mixing desk).

If you haven’t been down to participate before, it’s also worth speaking to Hinesy, the host, when you arrive.

What happens when?

The night always runs something like this:

8pm – open decks deejay session:
Deejays spin tunes, show off cuts and juggles, etc.

9pm – open mic/decks session:
Emcees drop verses and freestyles, and maybe battle… (deejays need to spin quality instrumentals for this).

9:40pm – live performance:
The 1st featured act does their thing.

10pm – open mic/decks session:
As above!

10:20pm – live performance:
The 2nd featured act does their thing.

10:40pm – open mic/decks session:
As above!

11pm – close.

Contacting us

If you want to get in touch, send an email to Slip Jam:B - but put something meaningful in the subject line, otherwise your message might be filtered out as spam!



Mr Clean


Kode


Richie Cunningham