3 Years Strong...

From its humble beginnings in the summer of 2009 on the Queen Street sidewalk in front of KOPS Records, The Cypher has come a very long way. Starting out with the simple idea of giving hip hop emcees an outlet to get some mic time, The Cypher is now looked to by many artists as the place to sharpen and hone their talents and skills, network, have fun, express themselves, practice their rhymes, and has become a staple event in Toronto’s hip hop community.

For the past three years, The Cypher has continually grown and evolved both in scope and size, providing a plethora of opportunities both for creators of hip hop music and fans of hip hop music and culture alike. From monthly events where anyone in attendance is free to join the cypher and pass the mic around, to cyphers and jams in parks and street festivals around the city, to organizing and promoting large concerts showcasing the likes of J-Live (Triple Threat Productions), Jeru the Damaja (Gang Starr Foundation), and Stalley (MMG), The Cypher continually stands for the manifestation and proliferation of hip hop as an idea, a cultural movement, and an art-form. The addition of lyricist and freestyle competitions as well as artist features at regular events has given artists opportunities to be recognized and stand out among their peers. The Cypher is also continually expanding its reach beyond Toronto, with past events in Chicago, Hamilton, and Guelph.

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Music will be provided by DJ Xplisit as well as a live performance by The Cypher Crew.

All artists in attendance will have the opportunity to get on the mic and perform in the cyphers, in which emcees pass the microphone around and take turns rapping. Lyricist and/or freestyle competition will also occur.

The Cypher is taking place on the top floor of The Central, doors at 9pm.

Free admission before 10pm, $5 cover after 10pm.

FB EVENT PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/events/365929110097313/

WHEN: Weds. March 21, 2012. Doors at 9:30pm.

WHERE: Augusta House, 152 Augusta Ave. (Kensington Market, - Toronto, ON)

After a successful show opening for GZA and Masta Killa of the Wu-Tang, we're back in full effect for this month's installment of THE CYPHER, featuring:

Winners Circle (Bad Newz, L the Twelfth Letter, and Ekko Effect):

Bad Newz

28-year-old emcee Bad Newz has come a long way since writing his first rhyme as a fourth-grader. The Torontonian’s easy flow and cocky lyrical style has earned him the respect of his peers and fans alike, once impressing 'The Teacher' himself, KRS-ONE, with a verse at a 2009 Ryerson University speaking engagement in Toronto. "My man, that was DOPE,” KRS told Newz in front of the packed house. “You...you are DOPE!"

He started out as one-third of the group 'The Hard Way', which also included current Winner's Circle teammate Ekko Effect, before choosing to make his way as a solo artist. He once ranked as high as number four among Toronto hip-hop artists on popular music website ReverbNation; he’s been a winner at Toronto’s The Cypher Lyricist Competition and has shared stages with established acts like D-Sisive and Fresh Kils as well as his Winner's Circle crew Ekko Effect, L and DJ Smartiez.

L the Twelfth Letter

Toronto emcee L isn’t a new face to the hip-hop game, but has continuously paved the way to success through solo and group projects. After releasing a compilation mixtape, “The Last 12 Months,” in April, L exemplified the raw skills he posseses, but also acknowledged the improvements that could be made.
L’s primary focus as of late has been his new mixtape based off of two simple words: just rap. In an industry where the core roots of hip-hop music have taken a backseat to flashier feels, Just Rap allows L to step outside of the ‘rapper box,’ and truly embrace the role of emcee. With his witty punchlines, vivacious lyricism, and salient flow, L’s dynamic sound encompasses elements from the Golden Era with new school vibes.

He’s wowed crowds at Manifesto and artist showcases Droppin’ Knowledge, F.Y.I. and Freshly Squeezed and shared stages with established hip-hop names like Jean Grae, D-Sisive, Son Real and Rich Kidd. Having already received radio spins on Stylistik Endeavours (CIUT) and Backroads Radio (CHRY); and club spins by two-time Stylus Mixshow DJ of the Year DJ P-Plus and 2011 Stylus Rated Next Nominee DJ Smartiez, L is ready to conquer Canadian radiowaves and clubs with an entire mixtape of fresh music,
starting with first single “Just Rap.” From the beginning of his career as a member of a group, to the transition that developed him into a solo artist, L is certainly in a position to take on anything thrown his way and thrive to the top.

Ekko Effect

Toronto emcee Ekko Effect is not your typical post-new school rapper chasing big bucks, European cars and R&B chicks. He’s here hoping to use hip-hop to give a voice to those that wouldn’t have one otherwise, and shine a light on the struggles that young people of colour face in today's society. After starting out four years ago as part of the group Hardway, which also included current Winners Circle crewmate Bad Newz, he decided to branch out as a solo artist and has been perfecting his passionate, intelligent flow ever since.

He is slowly and surely making a name for himself in the hip-hop arena; most recently contributing fiery 16’s to crewmate L’s “Past Due (Remix)” and the Black History Month anthem “Time Is Now” featuring Phoenix Pagliacci, L, Proverbs and Brian Notice. He’s moved the crowd in several recent live performances, sharing stages with prominent Canadian artists like D-Sisive and Fresh Kils and fellow Winners Circle members L, Bad Newz and DJ Smartiez. Ekko is now working on his first mixtape, titled Knowledge Speaks, Wisdom Listens, furthering his goal to better the lives of others through music.

And

iLL-Literate:

iLL-Literate is an emcee from the suburbs of Toronto who is determined to add his own flavor to hip hop. His flow and refined lyrics are demonstrated on his first demo CD, Origin-iLL Vol.1. Keep an eye out for this new comer - whether he's spitting freestyles at The Cypher or performing a show, iLL-Literate always manages to move a crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/OriginiLL92TiLL
http://www.facebook.com/TheiLLerEmcee
http://twitter.com/illLiterate420

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THE CYPHER FREESTYLE COMPETITION

MCs will be shown random words out and be asked to incorporate them into their freestyle verses:

Details:
-$10 entry fee for each competitor (winner takes all)
-Each artist freestyles over random instrumentals
-Whichever MC's verse is judged to be the best will win!
-Competitors who want to participate must sign up at the event no later than 11pm.
- Winner also gets to defend their title (no entry fee) at the next cypher!

Hosted by:
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/

Resident DJ:
DJ Xplisit - http://www.djxplisit.com/
(Toronto' craziest beatboxing DJ)

Resident Photographer:
Slick Nick - http://www.telescaphoto.com/

Resident Videographer:
Neil Austen - http://www.youtube.com/EastCoastOverdose416

Cover:
$5 BEFORE 11pm ($10 after 11pm)
Pay $20 and get a Cypher T-shirt with admission!

19+

Any artist that shows up will get mic time - GUARANTEED!
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THE CYPHER

OFFICIAL PROMO VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnDLuuf1dX0

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
http://www.thecypher.ca/

Hip Hop culture manifests through the creative self-expression of individuals who embody its spirit in their respective art forms. This power of spontaneous creativity, the unification of a community for the great purpose that is Hip Hop, happens at The Cypher.

Artists sign up to take part in group performances called cyphers, in which each performer takes a few minutes on the mic and then passes it on to the next performer. All performances occur over music supplied by a live DJ, beat boxer, or producer. There are also a few spots at The Cypher reserved for featured artists to perform their own sets.

The Cypher is a grassroots hip hop event started by MC FÜBB and the Hip Hop Headz (H3) community in downtown Toronto in the summer of 2009. The Cypher is an event where hip hop MCs, DJs, producers, and other artists from around the world come to meet and showcase their talents and skills, and gives them an opportunity to network and create business opportunities. The Cypher is an event designed to keep alive the spirit of spontaneous creativity and showmanship that can occur only in hip hop. The Cypher is an opportunity for various members of the hip hop community to perform, network, build community and have fun.

For all inquiries, please contact: info@thecypher.ca

Brought to you by:
Hip Hop Headz - http://www.theh3.com/
MC FÜBB - http://www.mcfubb.com/
The Cypher App (Swipelab) http://www.thecypherapp.com/
The Bigger Than Hip Hop Show (BTHH) - http://bthhradio.blogspot.com/