Rockin’ out

It goes without saying that, beyond hearing the odd Eminem or 50 Cent track played on the local pop-radio station, Maine doesn’t usually offer much in the way of hip-hop music. Especially here in the Bangor area. And especially live.

But casual and devoted hip-hop heads alike will have a rare opportunity when Queen City Entertainment and MaineHipHop.com partner to bring the first Grab the Mic MC Battle on April 16 to Ushuaia in Orono.

The Friday night event will pit more than 25 real- live MCs from Maine, Boston, Rhode Island and even Canada against each other in frenetic freestyle-rhyme battles. The night’s winning rhyme-slinger will walk away with hundreds of dollars in cash and other prizes, courtesy of local sponsors.

Things will kick off at 9 p.m. with up-and-coming Portland MC Bad Manerz as host. Selecta JL and DJ Big (representing the Team All-Star Productions crew from Boston) will be providing those crucial beats for contestants to rhyme over. Competing MCs from Bangor will include King Blaze, ZahZen, Bobby Brainstorm and Concept.

Despite longtime popularity elsewhere, and even being introduced to the better part of America last year via Eminem’s film “Eight Mile,” this kind of contest is unprecedented north of Portland according to Sean Smith, head of the Bangor-based Queen City Entertainment.

Smith is co-producing the event with the help of Braden Biddings and his company MaineHipHop.com, a web-based network for enthusiasts.

Smith says he hopes the Grab the Mic Battle in Orono will help relieve some of the stigma associated with hip-hop on a local level, as well as bring fans and aspiring MCs from different regions to have fun and showcase verbal skills.

“This is taking hip-hop back to the way it was,” Smith said, “before MTV, BET and all the bling-bling.”

Admission is $10 for those between 18 and 20, and $5 for those 21 or older.

Those interested in competing can contact Smith at 478-9727, or log on to www.mainehiphop.com for more information. George Bragdon can be reached at gbragdon@bangordailynews.net.