Rap Music Festival

Rap Music is an annual international rap music festival and competition held in Moscow, Russia. It was established in 1994 with the goal of discovering new names in the genre of rap music. It was first initiated by the Hip-Hop Culture Center, whose general producer was Vlad Valov, the leader of the Russian rap group Bad Balance.^[1] The event is held in high regard within Russian Hip Hop culture and considered to be a launching point for groups who win.^[2][3]

Conventionally, only ten entries are selected to participate in the final concert competition. The winner receives the grand prize and the opportunity to record an album with the domestic label, 100PRO (rus), although earlier winners received different types of recording opportunities. In addition, three groups are awarded as first, second, and third, respectively.

In 2014, the annual festival also marked its 20th anniversary, with the event featuring performances from cultural historic rappers like ST (Alexander Stepanov), and featured a full jury of representatives from Russian rap culture's 1990s and 2000s centuries like Sir J (DOB Community) and Lojaz (Killed by Rap).^[4]

In 1993, Bad Balance undertook a tour covering countries within central Europe and the eastern coast of South America. This tour proved seminal for their tuition on Hip Hop culture, exposed them to many different communities, and helped foster their sense of cultural stewardship. As Valov noted, "By the end of [1993], we realized we weren't just the bearers of this culture, but also domestic artists who should attract Russian-speaking crews to the movement."^[1]

Upon their return home, the Hip-Hop Culture Center was quickly developed in Moscow, with Valov at its head, and throughout the year various events were held for the individual elements of Hip Hop culture. However, Rap Music festival's start began in the fall of 1994, with the venue of choice being the Moscow Palace of Youth, the principle venue of the festival to this day, although other spaces are utilized. This first and second festivals secure the festival's selection, voting, and award procedures, and in 2000 a new prize was added, the Best MC of the Year.^[1] As Valov noted, venue was a deeply important part of the festival, "We decided against holding Rap Music in huge halls and avoided the extensive advertising that attracts unprepared people to the event."^[1]

• Rap Music Festival 25! (YouTube)

• Russian hip-hop
• List of hip-hop festivals