Over the past year and a half in the columns of this magazine, I have been repeating the phrase: "there is a movement happening," and there was no better indication of that then the contest that was sponsored by News4U, Gator9 Entertainment, and www.midwestsyndicate.com. The Rumble In The Jungle was a four week contest developed to introduce area independent hip hop talent to a larger audience, and over 500 people were introduced to several emcees and rappers ranging in styles from radio to gangsta and from lyrical to gutta. The talent ranged from people making their first appearance on stage to rappers who have been in the game for years. Local rap scene legends – E’ville – hosted the event and fronted the $100 weekly prize for winners. The grand prize winner received a music video produced by gator9 Entertainment, national music distribution from www.midwestsyndicate.com, and News4U donated space for this article.

BigS, Bogard, BradleyT, BoopD, CasOne, C-Good, Crispy, D-Trick, Inspector Clusoe, J-Mon (Tha Dirty Mon), Kentucky Prophet, King Kold, Laudi, Lil Bling, Loc The Great, Mic Nuke’em, Tee-C, Unkle Samm, and Whydhe Write were the names on the bill when the contest started; coming from Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois in this tri-state contest. The event was big enough to garner interest from other local names as well: Kasper, Liv Long, MaxB, DJ Figure, Dew Dirt, Raaqim, Lil Ace, and Shabrae among others all came out to show support, but in the end when the last metaphor was spit and the last bass boom hit, there was one man standing… The champion of the first annual Rumble In The Jungle is a man who proudly represents Jimtown, Evansville, and The Wreckin Ball Crew. He is a man who congratulated each contestant in the finals by inviting them onstage, and thanked each of them for being a part of the process. And is a man who thanked his momma, his wife, and his kids for motivating him. The champion of The Rumble is BradleyT.

BradT describes himself as a country music loving, red headed, Busch Light drinking, truck driver, but don’t let the description fool you. BradT delivered machine gun rhymes, thoughtful family insight, gutta street action, hustle and skill each time he touched the mic. Just listening to the fans in attendance made everyone feel like they were witnessing something special. One fan, Jason from Henderson, pulled me aside to tell me he never thought he would hear anything like this guy from Evansville. I believe the exact words were, "I can’t believe how good this guy is. Why haven’t more people heard of him?"

Brad’s range switched from fun club bangers like “Ballin On A Budget,” to slow heartfelt family life issues in “Generations” to “U.S.A.,” a song devoted to the struggles regular people face in the world today. You can hear the songs yourself online at www.myspace.com/bradtloc. Look for more contests and events coming from local talent. The movement IS happening all over the city in all different music genres and styles.