Hip-hop is not just a name. It’s not just a vibe. It’s a culture.

The Beats Rhymes and Culture club not only breaks hip-hop down into a dance, but exposes hip-hop culture’s original positive message to the public and brings communities together.

“The main thing we do is hold events to help promote real hip-hop and sway it away from its commercial stereotype,” said Vince Horiuchi, senior business management major and club president.

The Beats Rhymes and Culture club regularly has an attendance of 30 to 50 Sacramento State students each semester. They meet once a month to plan events and usually have open practices from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., which rotate from Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Yosemite Hall.

“We have disc jockeys, emcees, dancers, beat boys, poppers, graffiti artists and pretty much each element of hip-hop,” Horiuchi said. “We hold open practices for people at Sac State to go practice and work on their craft on a week-to-week basis. Anyone could come, there’s no experience necessary.”

The club works closely with organizations such as North Star and Zulu Nation, which promotes the same positive messages. The Beats Rhymes and Culture club also raises funds for charities such as the Sacramento Food Bank and Wind Youth, a homeless teen shelter. Money is raised through events the club sets up and a part of the ticket sales are collected for the charities. Canned food can also be collected, depending on the type of fundraiser.

“We’re really community-based and, whenever we throw events, we try to link the events to giving back to the community,” said Chris Cantos, senior business marketing major and club vice president.

Their next event is “Vortex,” from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the University Union Ballroom. Tickets can be purchased for $12 pre-sale on www.capitalroots.com and $15 at the door. Part of the proceeds will go toward Wind Youth.

“It’s going to be showcasing most of Northern California’s athletics and talents,” said Robert Lim, 28, senior business major and club treasurer. “We’re [also] doing fundraising for our club to raise awareness and fund events for our club in the future.”

The event will consist of hip-hop dancing, martial arts tricking (which includes performing flips), and break dance battling. Doey Rock, Boogie Monsters, Press Play and Second Nature are expected to make appearances.

“It’s a summer series and this is going to be the finals,” Horiuchi said. “There’s usually a Sacramento dance community that comes out which is the reason we did three different elements, so we could bring the three communities [hip-hop, tricking and break dancing] together at one event because everyone’s usually divided.”

Those who are interested in joining the club may drop by any meeting or practice. Inquiries about the club may be sent by e-mail to Horiuchi at: [email protected].

Jennifer Siopongco can be reached at [email protected]