Talent showcase highlights region's hip-hop acts

Arena Park may be filled with the sounds of country this weekend, but on Sept. 26 bass and flow will take over the Arena Building when Hardhead Entertainment hosts a showcase with hip hop and R&B artists from the area.

Hardhead Entertainment, formerly Hardhead Records from Howardville, Mo., aims to unearth the talent in the area and help get new artists more recognition and work toward radio play.

Judy Pratcher, a representative with Hardhead Entertainment, said 12 acts have signed up to perform so far.

"As of now we only have one act from Cape Girardeau," Pratcher said. "A lot of them are from down south -- Arkansas, the lower Bootheel, New Madrid."

The sign-up fee is $250. The winner will receive $5,000 and choose from a list of charities to also receive a donation. Pratcher said the winner can choose between the MDA, Salvation Army, United Way, Red Cross and March of Dimes.

"Those are local chapters that service Cape and the lower Bootheel," she said.

Artists must present original content and "any contestants who display any lewd, suggestive, foul or racist behavior will be eliminated immediately," according to the news release.

"It may force you to be creative," Pratcher said. "It may force them to step outside of the box and say, 'What is another way to say this without cursing or being demeaning to women?'"

She said organizers want to keep the event clean.

To sign up, call Hardhead Entertainment at 587-6570.

charris@semissourian.com

388-3641