The golden age he says is marked by fluid experimentalism in the genre and the great new styles that were born from it. This is when hip hop was less trendy, less commercial, and regularly explored new territory; think Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die,” or De La Soul’s “Three Feet High and Rising.”

Not Your Mamma’s Karaoke

While the event is called “Hip Hop Karaoke”, it is anything but your typical karaoke night with novice singers, bouncing balls on cheesy television screens, and the obligatory drunken songster. Newman says calling it a “Hip Hop Show” might be more accurate; the social scene centers around ‘the show’ as opposed to your average karaoke night at a bar.

Hip Hop karaoke’s twice monthly events feature rather serious performers who don’t need television screens or lyric sheets. A professional D.J., and HHK cofounder, DJ Wex provides the music and participants are usually well practiced, serious hip hop aficionados, or as HHK’s press kit explains “dedicated performers [who] pay homage to their hip-hop heroes . . .”

Newman says his inspiration for hip hop karaoke came from watching punk rock karaoke at the famed Arlene’s Grocery on the lower eastside of Manhattan. He explains that he had always enjoyed the live karaoke band there and how its rocker devotees came dressed for the part. Then there was the fun he and his friends used to have at hip hop clubs, “we’d all get together and just do this hip hop circle thing where would just sing and dance.”

Hip Hop karaoke seems to have stripped away all the doldrums of standard karaoke. It isn’t just one of the activities going on in a bar; HHK is the main attraction. Its not entertainment that bar owners pay for on behalf of its customers; HHK customers come to it at venues around the island, and they pay at the door. Its singers do not need liquid courage to perform; they do it because they love it and they know every lyric.

Channeling Biggie

Hip Hop Karaoke’s uniqueness is best described by its participatory style. There are no onlookers, everyone in the audience is engaged and the energy at these events is palpable. The crowd sings along, dances, and feels the gritty, earthy, attitude that is hip-hop right along with the performer. It is nothing short of a hip-hop lovefest.

The art of HHK as explained by Newman is one that is bound between imitation and interpretation. The typical karaoke singer imitates an artist and his or her song, a professional singer “covers” another singers’ song by reinterpreting it, making it his or her own. The hip-hop karaoke artist is judged by their ability to sing and perform the lyrics “authentically” says Newman, “adding their own spin to the original lyrics.” So its not about ‘being’ Biggie, its about ’channeling’ Biggie, and seeing what comes of it.

Newman and his cofounders had no idea that Hip Hop Karaoke would end up being the phenomenon that it is. Since starting in December 2004 HHK has affiliates in various cities around the globe including, Vancouver, Toronto, New Zealand, Johannesburg, and two events in London.

HHK’s biggest claim to fame though are the celebrity guests from the hip hop world. This year’s championship, held at New York’s Irving Plaza will feature rapper Buckshot and hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane as celebrity judges. Prospective finalists must win in either of two regional contests held in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The national championship will be held on January 29, 2010. For tickets and more information visit the contest site.

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