“Most musicians thrive on companionship. The camaraderie of bandmates can make even the bleakest gig worth it. But many rappers toil alone at their art—not unlike novelists—in lonely rooms, staring into computers, composing beats and/or laying down vocals. Venues have rarely existed in New Orleans where aspiring emcees can interact with a crowd and experiment with their fledgling rap performance. But the multi-media hip-hop artists involved in the Soundclash beat battle series have helped New Orleans’ underground rap scene flourish as of late, in part by providing more than a few solo acts with a compassionate community…”

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