Night Out: Jump Off

Event: Jump Off
Description: "The Jump Off is where Fashion, Music and the Arts collide creating a melting pot of urban youth culture. The event features the best of aspiring local talent competing in Live Model Shoots, Comedy, Rap, Dance & Producer Battles for cash prizes and bragging rights."
Location: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HJ
Frequency: Every 2 weeks on Mondays until the finals in August TBC
Price: £8 in advance £15 at the door
www: http://uk.jumpoff.tv/shows/view/the-jump-off/
Hot Tip: The toilets are unisex (yes I was baffled and had to check the door twice) To activate the water to wash your hands is a pedal by your feet... no sensor malarky! Crazy tip but we all asked the question when we were in there.

Big booties or big hair? shorts or leggings? Only for sure thing are the boys in new Era hats and their pants swung low. There I was lost in a crowd of mixed ethnicity, bubble hats and Pjs, Russian fur head gear, baggy jeans, short dresses, jeggings, anything goes with a twist of urban edge and swagger. A shortage of hoddies replaced with "If its not New Era then your a fool" style and lyrics from MC battles.

Fabric looks massive as you walk in, with all its industrious detail and Jump Off logos. In the middle of London's City district, you'd be surprised it's here. Expect it to be clean, like it was, yet surprised that it is, after all it is a show of London Urban Hip Hop.

Battles for the hip hp genre in dance, producing and MC. Think Stomp The Yard or You Got Served but with less attitude and more appreciation. A more welcoming crowd then the "bad boy" image you would have expected. Waiting for contenders to step up. Its a though crowd but not as harsh as you would think this world is.

We watched a dance crew, we dubbed as Little Mix, and the Champs battle it out. Little Mix looked amateur as they took to the stage yet had a few surprise moves that, we were routing for the under dogs to get through to next weeks round.

The Producers battle was an eye opener for those who don't make music, and a nice taste of wit and talent for those who appreciate. 5 mins to re-work a sample given to you. Producer quickly adding in base beats, snares and synths. Then played back to the audience and judges to crown their winner.

 

The long anticipated MC battle. Infamous for finding talent such as Pro Green. Was Less 8 Mile and more Comedy Night. Contenders coming in from "tut" north to flow or literally spit on on the mic. Maybe the calibre of talent will get better as the competition nears its finals in August, but this night we were entertained by someone who's rapping style was "dude you have issues" and I have thus dubbed as MC Turrets. Funny how you can see the stage was their alter ego as they shook hands and said well done after throwing abuse and swearing at each other. 

The event started late with set up breaks between battles and not running to the advertised schedule. So we missed the Booty Shake battle, as we left early to go home. But no doubt we will be back for more Monday night entertainment.

Why go? What else can you do on a Monday night? less of clubbing and being musically entertained?