Pop it, lock it, beat it, drop it. Toprock, downrock, power move, now freeze.

These elements of hip hop choreography are about to be introduced to Sacramento State in one comprehensive event, Cap City Culture.

Cap City Culture is an exhibition of artists within the hip hop community who want to demonstrate their talents for their peers and colleagues. The exhibition consists of the different ways that hip hop uses music, dance and art in its culture. This means we’ll see talented DJs, MCs, break dancers, graffiti artists, rappers and more. Some participants are students, members of the hip hop club on campus and members of the Sacramento area’s hip hop community.

UNIQUE and the Beats, Rhymes & Culture Club are partnering up to bring this event to the Sac State campus to show students that real hip hop culture is a positive outlet for creativity.

The Beats, Rhymes & Culture Club’s purpose is “to promote hip hop culture through its music, dance and art,” according to the group’s mission statement. It also abides by the concept of “Meet One, Teach One,” the idea of introducing people to hip hop and what is has to offer. Cap City Culture is putting this belief into action, but on a larger scale.

Zenia LaPorte, UNIQUE programs adviser, said that Cap City Culture is the only event of its type that is hosted by UNIQUE.

“This event first came to fruition in 2007 between UNIQUE and Beats, Rhymes & Culture. They came to us with the concept, mentioning that these types of events are always well-attended, but the campus never hosts them,” LaPorte said.

This is the third time in four years that UNIQUE will host the event.

Kevin Reyes, president of the Beats, Rhymes & Culture Club, advised the club and UNIQUE on what should be included in the event. He had been to many similar events around the Sacramento area and talked to the coordinators about what aspects had been most successful. Reyes said the dance battles are always well attended and full of excitement because it is enthralling to watch the tricks and moves the dancers do. Reyes is satisfied with the elements and the format that will make up the event.

“(It is going to be) a giant exhibition of all different elements of the hip hop world. Dancers, MCs, DJs, (and) some people with graffiti art,” Reyes said.

Robert Lim, alumnus of the Beats, Rhymes & Culture Club, is most looking forward to the battles between talented participants.

“There will be exhibitions that are, what we in the (hip hop) communities, call “battles’ of DJing, MCing, beatboxing and breaking,” Lim said.

According to hiphopgalaxy.com, DJing is when a disc jockey uses different techniques to combine songs, sounds and music together. An MC is a “Master of Ceremonies,” also a free-style rapper. Beatboxing is a technique of using the mouth to make sounds similar to drum beats and rhythm.

According to Lim, a “battle” is when two or more people show off their skills in whatever genre they choose. A “b-boy battle,” for example, would be two breakdancers taking turns to show off their best moves and toughest combinations.

Both Reyes and Lim got involved in the hip hop culture for personal reasons and they are still loyal to the community today.

“I got into it when I was 11 or 12 years old. I was just bored at home. I do a particular style of locking which is a mix of breaking and popping. You don’t need a lot of space to do it,” Reyes said.

Reyes uses the locking technique in his own dancing, so he is most anxious to see the locking exhibition. For Lim, his involvement in the community was mainly supportive.

“I was fortunate enough to have friends that break to teach me and I noticed that I enjoyed it for my personal well-being. I continued to support my friends and community by attending competitions, facilitating practice locations and photographing the people,” Lim said.

Reyes is hoping that Cap City Culture will help change the negative perception that Reyes feels the public has about the hip hop world.

“(A) lot of events around Sacramento involve the different things that bring a lot of positive light on hip hop. If we bring it to campus, people will see the positive aspect of it. Rappers talk about gang shootings and drugs…people come to expect that from hip hop,” Reyes said.

Reyes hopes that those who attend Cap City Culture will come away with a positive experience from exhibitions of choreography, music and art. He also hopes that they too will involve themselves by joining a battle or bringing their art.

“People will just be able to come in and show what they have,” Reyes said.

Lim also aspires for the exhibition to positively impact the campus community’s feelings about this culture.

“(I want) to create awareness to the general public about what real hip hop is about. I hope to inspire people to be brave into getting involved in this creative culture that takes time to craft with dedication that will not just happen overnight,” Lim said.

Kayla Oliverio can be reached at [email protected]