WPTS-FM Hip-Hop Week festivities commence

Today kicks off the celebration of “WPTS’ Hip-Hop Week,” which will feature daily events… Today kicks off the celebration of “WPTS’ Hip-Hop Week,” which will feature daily events showcasing aspects of hip-hop music. WPTS-FM, Pitt’s student-run radio station, aims to shed light on the local hip-hop scene by focusing on the promotion of local artists and MCs.

“WPTS plays more local hip-hop than any other station in Pittsburgh,” said James Gardiner, WPTS station manager. “WPTS thinks of itself as the home of local hip-hop, and with all the events we have planned for Hip-Hop Week, it is hard to argue that claim.”

Today’s commencement will feature WPTS’ DJ Karazmatik as he DJs from noon to 3 p.m. outside the Union.

The Union’s student lounge, Nordy’s Place, will host Rhyme Calisthenics Tuesday night from 7 to 10 p.m. Rhyme Calisthenics-in game-show format-will highlight local MCs and rappers.

“It will be like ‘Whose Line’ meets ‘Family Feud’ meets ‘Wild ‘N Out,'” said Marcus Harris, host of the nightly 7 to 9 p.m. hip-hop show.

Two events will take place on Wednesday. WPTS will again DJ outside the Union during the afternoon from noon to 3 p.m., and a special live show will take place in the evening.

Harris is particularly excited for Wednesday night’s festivity, a hip-hop edition of the live show with four local MCs: A-Jaxx, Charon Don, Jasiri X and Nova. Pitt students have the option of tuning into the WPTS show on 92.1 FM or sitting in on the live broadcast.

The first 20 people who arrive at the station, located on the fourth floor of the William Pitt Union, will get to listen to these Pittsburgh performers in person.

Friday will conclude Hip-Hop Week with the State of the Union Show. “This will be a big show,” promises Harris. Gardiner echoes its importance as “the culmination of the whole week.”

The State of the Union Show-WPTS’ last event of the school year-will mix the talent of WPTS’ own DJs and personalities, performances featuring local top hip-hop groups Formula 412 and Eviction Notice and Pitt’s own Max M. Ill and the Future.

Pre-sale tickets for the State of the Union Show will be available at the Union box office, $8 for Pitt students and $12 for non-Pitt students.