Following on the success of the sold-out 1st Annual Hip Hop Karaoke Championship at Highline Ballroom, Hip Hop Karaoke, New York's most popular hip-hop event, presents the 2010 Hip Hop Karaoke Championship at New York's Irving Plaza on January 29th. The event will feature 12 of Hip Hop Karaoke's best battling it out for cash prizes in front of celebrity judges.Throw away any preconceived notions of the stereotypical karaoke night. Hip Hop Karaoke is not "Ice Ice Baby" over a fake beat in the back of a bar. There are no bouncing balls or cheesy screens. Hip Hop Karaoke takes the traditional concept of karaoke and transforms it into the complete emcee experience. This is the opportunity to grab a mic, get up on stage, and perform to a diverse, enthusiastic crowd. Hip Hop Karaoke uses only the original instrumentals and the hosts ensure that every participant, from the seasoned hip-hop veteran to the casual fan, stays on track.
Over the past month, the organizers held two Regional Championships in Brooklyn and Manhattan, with the highest-scoring competitors advancing to the Championship. At the Championship, performers will pick from Hip Hop Karaoke's eclectic song list of over 300 classic and current hip-hop songs. After three rounds, one person will emerge as Hip Hop Karaoke Champion and winner of a $1,000 cash prize. Last year, Prince Paul, Dres from Black Sheep and Video Music Box's Ralph McDaniels brought their vast hip-hop knowledge to the judges' table and this year, expect similar legends to bless the stage in January. Hip Hop Karaoke will be announcing this year's judges soon.
Started in December 2004, Hip Hop Karaoke has given thousands of people the opportunity to witness, and participate in, this unique celebration of hip-hop. Hip Hop Karaoke has been visited by such luminaries as Jeru the Damaja, Pete Rock, Rhymefest and Big Daddy Kane (among many others) and has spawned affiliates all over the globe. Everyone from XXL to Spin to Village Voice to New York magazine has sung HHK's praises and one look makes it easy to see why it's New York's most popular hip-hop event.