​

Welcome to Round 3 of Vox Pop, your weekly video emcee showdown. In the spirit of keeping the entrants of this contest on their toes, we're going to throw the first of what is sure to many curve balls.

Today we introduce the Vox Pop Hall of Fame. Rappers who win for three weeks straight--like JMack, who has already emerged victorious in our first two weeks of competition, has a chance to do this week--will graduate to a list that will be showcased in some sort of Dallas Observer-sponsored way (more on that in the near future). That'll be a few rounds down the road, though, so lets get into the meat of Round 3...

JMack and his challengers were charged with creating a video that explored the topic of their favorite movie. And, yes, we're gonna make our defending champ earn his way into our Hall of Fame like any honorable artist would. So that means we're adding an extra challenger for our current holder of the Vox Pop belt to make a three-person battle royale...

After all, we're all about organic growth and change here at Vox Pop--so be sure to let the voice of the people be heard.

JMack's playing for a spot in the Hall. The other two are playing for a shot to defend next week. Stakes is high. Let's check the videos after the jump...

More >>

​Welcome to Round 2 of Vox Pop, DC9's way to give back to the hip-hop community.

First off, we'd like to start by saying thanks for all of the input that we got last week, in our first round of competition. Let's keep this thing building, though. And that being said, let's do our best to keep the comments section constructive. (As JMack mentioned in last week's comments section, keep in mind that we might want to show this to our families. OK?)

Now let's get into Round 2.

This week's installment pits our defending champ JMack, against some fresh blood in the form of our challenger Yung Rick. Our emcees explored the theme "Spring is coming" to combat the bold snap that we've all been hating lately.

So which lyricist warms you up? JMack comes back with some more theatrics, while challenger Yung Rick took a more conventional approach, confident enough in the merits of his wordplay and swagger to take the close-up head-in-a-box approach.

Check the submissions after the jump.

More >>

Pop goes the Vox and the Vox goes Pop?

​This week, for the first go 'round of our new weekly, online hip-hop battle competition, both of our top performers--JMack and AnonymousCulture--chose to go the a cappella route with their submissions, opting to let the merits of the lyrics stand on their own without a backing beat.

Bold move.

But last week's Valentine's Day theme sure seemed to get both of our emcees going, as each offered up rhymes about pining to win the affections of a special Valentine. Check out this week's contestants' submissions after the jump.

Oh, and next week's topic? "Spring Is Coming!" But, before you go and film your entry, be sure to go back and read the rules first. Then go ahead and send your submissions right here.

More >>

​Attention Dallas-area emcees, free-stylers, and rappers of all shapes and sizes: DC9 at Night is on the lookout for the best lyricists in North Texas.

Today, we launch a new weekly feature called Vox Pop, or voice of the people.

The concept it simple: Each week, we'll host two videos from area emcees looking to show their prowess and we'll pit the two submissions against one another. Then DC9 readers will watch, listen and select a winner.

The winner will be invited back to play again the next week. The loser will go home.

Oh, now, as for the rules? They're pretty simple, too. Check them out, after the jump.

More >>