Since beginning with a couple hundred people gathering in a small parking lot on a Monday night, Cincinnati, Ohio’s Scribble Jam has become one of the biggest hip-hop festivals in the world. Competitions at the four-day festival in the hip-hop elements of rap (emcee), beatbox, production, B-Boying (break-dancing) and DJing have become a proving ground for many of today’s hip-hop stars. Then unknowns like Eminem, Rhymefest and Sage Francis built their reputations amid the fierce competition.

Battles have become so prestigious and competitive that some cities around the country have begun to host preliminary rounds, including New York, San Francisco and now Indianapolis. The first-ever Indianapolis preliminary competitions in emcee and production will be held Aug. 30 at the Emerson Theater. The finals in Cincinnati will be held from Oct. 23-26.

Slapface Entertainment’s Joe Adams, who is responsible for bringing Scribble Jam to Indianapolis, says that it’s important to give local performers the chance to prove themselves in a marquee event. “It means that good opportunities are coming to Indianapolis,” Adams explains. “This will help out a lot of our artists who are unknown, getting them a fan base by participating in the emcee and producer battles.”  

The skill level will be high, with many out of town artists making the trek to Indy, assuming they can earn an easy qualification against unproven talent. Adams thinks that “These will be the best prelim battles that any one will see.” But he’s not ready to predict a winner. “There are also a couple 16- to 17-year-old kids that could be the next big thing. You never know; there’s so much good competition for this.”

Of battles past

One of the organizers of the national Scribble Jam, Kevin Beacham, recognizes the value of having major hip-hop events in the Midwest. “It’s been a great experience watching it grow into one of the most recognized and respected hip-hop annual events worldwide,” Beacham says. “I think it’s an amazing thing to have such a key hip-hop event take place in what many would consider an unlikely place. I think that is inspiring to people everywhere that building something successful is possible anywhere.”

The emcee battle remains the marquee event, with a $10,000 prize attracting top talent. Beacham is hard-pressed to pick out a favorite Scribble Jam battle moment. “That’s a hard one; there’s been so many over the years,” Beacham says. “The most instant memory is the Juice and Eminem battle from ’97, because Juice was already well known as a freestyle expert and Eminem was virtually unknown. Juice was just consistent line by line with great lines and presence while Eminem didn’t have the consistency there, but just every time he had these incredible lines that blew your mind. It was impossible to choose.

“However, I think the great moment in Scribble battle history was P.E.A.C.E. battling Dose One,” Beacham continues. “Just the way he acted it out, dropping the mic and just rapping very intensely in his face. Then at the last possible second, he grabs the mic and says he will make him “Fall like a tree.” On cue, he drops to his back and hits the ground pretty much exactly when the clock stopped. That was beyond amazing.”

When asked what he looks forward to most about Scribble Jam, Beacham answers, “Just connecting with the people. Everyone from the artists to the fans. People come from all over the world to experience this and I appreciate that more than I can express. I never thought about that when doing it all these years, I just wanted to throw a great event that as a fan I would love to come to.”

Some of Indy’s top local hip-hop acts will be bringing their work to the crowd between battles Saturday night, with the Mudkids, Twilight Sentinels, The Philosophy and Twin Monster slated to perform. A panel of local hip-hop celebrities will be on hand to help judge the competition.

Scribble Jam is all about the love of hip-hop culture, so expect a peaceful time at the Emerson, according to Adams. “It is nice to have hip-hop come back to the Emerson, an all-ages venue,” Adams says. “Everyone throws hip-hop shows at bars. Kids these days are getting all these negative messages. If they could get exposed to some real hip-hop maybe they wouldn’t think it was cool to be out acting the fool like they do. Hip-hop can really have a good message.”

WHAT: Scribble Jam Indy
WHERE: Emerson Theater, 4634 E. 10th St.
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 30, 4:30 p.m. $10, all-ages