‘To The MOOON’ Rap Battle To Showcase Underground Chicago Talent In 3-Round Contest

AUSTIN — When 23-year-old musician and writer Sareen Equality went down a rabbit hole of rap competition reality TV shows like “The Rap Game” and “Rhythm + Flow,” Equality knew she had to bring something similar to Chicago. 

Now Equality’s “To The MOOON,” a large-scale hip-hop battle competition, will showcase emerging artists in a three-round rap competition 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday at Brick’s Night Club, 4422 W. Madison St. (The location was recently moved from Nubez Gallery in Portage Park.)

Featuring a lineup of 24 rappers, the competition highlights the collaborative nature of Chicago’s art and music scene while providing resources and networking opportunities to underground talent, Equality said. 

“It’s a hard game out here for rappers,” Equality said. “Chicago is so about being collaborative and helping each other get on. So why don’t we have accessible opportunities for rappers in Chicago?” 

Equality will be among the competition’s judges, joined by rapper Taylor Bennett, two-time Grammy winner GLC and hip-hop artist Forever Band. Sista Afrika, a five-time Emmy-winning film producer, will host. 

The three-round showcase created by Equality, a Kenwood Academy and School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduate, will task the lineup of rappers to create original work on-site. 

Participating rappers were scouted by Equality and picked from those who reached out after seeing promotions on social media. They come from a variety of backgrounds and popularity levels. 

The first round of the competition will be a cypher battle where the artists will have 30 minutes to write 16 bars — or a single verse — on the spot to a pre-selected beat. Artists will then take turns performing in groups of four. 

Rappers who advance to the next round will have to write 32 bars in 45 minutes. Artists will head to a writers’ room where they can workshop ideas with other musicians. 

Competitors who reach the final round will have 45 minutes to compose a three-minute song to be performed solo. 

Attendees won’t have to sit in silence while they wait between rounds. Musical artist Zion Ali will take the stage after the first round, and comedian ChickenWang will perform sets between rounds. 

There will also be a fashion show before the final round and a vendor market where attendees can shop all night, ensuring all corners of Chicago’s art scene are covered, Equality said. 

The winning rapper will receive $200 in cash, plus two hours of studio time, a custom beat pack and “obviously a trophy,” Equality said.

After the battle, a party and networking event midnight-2 a.m. will feature DJ Sleepy on the decks all night.

Equality said she hopes to create an environment where everyone is welcome and that is more accessible than other bigger music events in Chicago. 

“When we think of things like Lollapalooza, you see some representation of Chicago,” Equality said. “But typically the ones that got more money, they’re in certain demographics. It’s not the most accessible to every person. Here, opportunities are literally given to every person.” 

Tickets for “To The MOOON” are $23.18. A VIP option for $50 includes a drink ticket and prioritized seating. Learn more and buy tickets here.